Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 08:23:18 -0800 (PST) From: Loren Meissner Subject: Washington State Coast: Spiritual Retreat Nahcotta Sanctuary (Nahcotta, WA [near Long Beach, WA]). For a brochure and further information about Nahcotta Sanctuary, reservations, or the Men Nurturing Men program, please contact Nahcotta Sanctuary, P.O. Box 87, Nahcotta, Wash., 98637, or call (360) 665-4181. I have been there, and personally like the place, but please direct all inquiries to Nahcotta Sanctuary (Jim Crow), not me. (Jim Crow does not have e-mail.) Thanks. From Seattle Gay News, Nov 10, 1995 : Sanctuary provides healing atmosphere for "men nurturing men" program Jim Crow Two feathers "It is time that men are to be given some of the knowledge and wisdom of the women elders of our clan. One will be sent with whom you will share 'The Knowledge' during the next seven years." This statement was given to genni, a native Cherokee and Moon Maiden of her clan, by her great-aunt Rosie months before she and I were to meet. The year is 1988. I'm living in Hollywood, Calif., and about to end a seven-year, monogamous, committed relationship. I "know" it's time to get away from the madness I've experienced in L.A. and to retreat to a slower pace. I need sanctuary. I expected that place to be Sedona, Ariz. Little did I know that it would eventually be on a small peninsula that bordered Oregon and Washington, at the Columbia River. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I am nearing burnout at my job as volunteer administrator for the Los Angeles Center for Living. Marianne Williamson, along with two friends (one being Louise Hay) had established this day-hospice facility to provide the free services of counseling, bodywork, Reiki and companionship for people who were living with the threat of AIDS and cancer. My relationship is fast failing, mainly due to the wide difference of our personal paths and spiritual beliefs. The writing is on the wall and I know I have to end my relationship and get a new life. With much encouragement by my peers, I decided to enroll in the Loving Relationship Training (LRT) workshop to get some direction and guidance. I find the training to be a great help in getting myself in touch with the fact that I need to be in a loving relationship with myself. As a result of the weekend, I am finally able to convey my need for independence and freedom to embark on my personal path. My partner and I amicably split. It is at this point in time, that, as destiny would have it, I am to meet genni. I follow up the LRT training with a rebirthing workshop held by Sondra Ray. At the end of the workshop, genni's name and phone number were put on the board. Sondra described genni as a Native American teacher-healer, whom she had just met. We were encouraged, if so led, to contact her for a consultation session. I wrote genni's name and number down, not really expecting to call her, but about three days later I discovered the number among some notes and found myself calling. I scheduled an appointment. A week passed, during which I was asked to meditate, be aware of my diet and soak in the tub every night. At the end of my bath, I was to meditate on releasing any negativity into the water as it went down the drain. The idea was to be "clean and clear" for my appointment. I was now anxious to meet genni. Having recently discovered that Cherokee lineage was in my mother's family, I was very curious to meet a "full-blood" Cherokee. I was considered a "mixed blood" by definition. It took me about an hour to locate genni's tiny house amid the various waterways and dead ends of Venice Beach. I was one hour late when I found the house. Having been an airline attendant, I was never late. Oh well =D0 this was only the beginning of many new changes in my attitude and life. During my appointment I was told that I would learn to "remember" my Cherokee tradition and blend it with my Anglo heritage. I was to become the Berdache, the "balanced being," who excelled in the work of men and women and most often became Shaman, Chief or both. I would be known as Crow Two feathers, and walk with equal ease in the very different circles of men and women. I would learn to blend the male and female energies of these circles within myself. My lessons would begin with the "Nurturing Ways" of the women. I would be the only male permitted within the women's sacred circle. Upon the completion of these lessons, I would then take this acquired knowledge and share it with men. My work would focus on owning, blending and balancing the male-female energies within the men's sacred circle. I would be the Berdache sharing the wisdom of the elder Cherokee women of genni's clan. They would relay knowledge via genni and eventually communicate directly with my own intuition. So began an intense seven-year relationship with a Cherokee women who has become a dear friend and Native sister. It was in the fall of 1988 that genni left Los Angeles to facilitate a women's retreat in the Northwest and never returned. We had discovered the island of Vashon, off the mainland of Seattle. It was there that we established the non-profit teaching organization that is known as Heart Intelligence. Genni was the heart and I was the intelligence. Over the years, I have attained much more heart and genni has definitely expanded her intelligence in the "ways of the world." In September 1991, I left Vashon Island and was guided to the Long Beach Peninsula to establish a sister organization known as Nahcotta Sanctuary. The facility is located close to the town of Oysterville and had been a 14-acre family compound and cranberry farm. The property was made available by the late owner's three children. It took two years to restore and renovate the buildings and grounds. During those two years I began to realize that the property and surrounding area of Nahcotta provided a truly healing environment. It has since become the sanctuary that I sought while still living in Los Angeles. The small town of Nahcotta (Na-cot-ta) was so named after the Native Chief Nahcati, who summered his people in this area of abundance and natural beauty. The name of Nahcotta Sanctuary was given in honor of the Chief, his people and the land. Nahcotta Sanctuary has been open to the public for two years now. Many returning guests consider this spot to be a "holy place" of retreat and refuge for the body, mind and spirit. The private grounds are comprised of 14 acres of meadows, ponds and woodlands. The Sanctuary's trails provide a sense of peace and solitude within a protected wetlands environment of incredible natural beauty. The philosophy of Nahcotta Sanctuary holds all life sacred, honors all spiritual paths, and supports the pursuit of wholeness and well-being as one of the highest expressions of personal truth. The Sanctuary's lodging facilities are private, exquisite and comfortably furnished with a collection of antiques, Native cultural arts and artifacts from around the world. It is from this incredible sanctuary that I've begun my work as a Berdache. I teach men of the "nurturing traditions" that were handed down to me by the elder Cherokee women. Tradition that is being passed on as part of a program called "Men Nurturing Men." This program continues to teach me what I have yet to learn about blending male-female energies. Being whole and "on path" is constantly reinforced. The Men Nurturing Men events are held on weekends and begin late the first night and continue until late afternoon on the last day. The weekend is an honoring and blending of the Sacred Masculine/Feminine in a safe, nurturing environment. Men bond in ritual and ceremony within the Sacred Circle of the Men's Lodge. An exchange of Sacred (light touch) Massage is experienced. While maintaining personal boundaries, men are safely and lovingly able to release society-prescribed inhibitions around touching and being touched by other men. During this powerful three-day experience of a Cherokee Medicine Lodge, Pipe Ritual and Fire Ceremony, men find themselves bonding, balancing, and merging with their Sacred Brothers. The remaining Men Nurturing Men events for 1995 are scheduled for Nov. 17-19, Dec. 22-24 and Dec. 30-Jan. 1. Cost of the weekend is $95 per person and includes lodging at Nahcotta Sanctuary. Space is limited and pre-registration is suggested. For a brochure and further information about Nahcotta Sanctuary, reservations, or the Men Nurturing Men program, please contact Nahcotta Sanctuary, P.O. Box 87, Nahcotta, Wash., 98637, or call (360) 665-4181.=20