Regarding deep friendships & relationships Getting past this to this !

With groups ..... Getting Past                        to creating this  !

"  arg..... what (or who) is for dinner? " Yes... true friendships !! ...

        There is a hunger for "community" in our country, a desire for more real and supportive connection.  Many people from therapists to TV talk show hosts, to teachers, and even to some politicians; now talk about essentially negative or wanting aspects of our culture and call forth for more "community".  In spite of the many calls for it, there have been pitifully few real or accurate suggestions on how to create the community that is needed.

        This extraordinary process will provide us with a Gateway to discovering, experiencing, recreating, and bringing forth the best elements of community. It is based upon a realisitc integration of the best of psychology, science, and spirituality.   The process starts and ends with  two separate 3 day retreat events  held approximately 10 weeks apart.    In between those two events there will be an ongoing connection facilitated among us via a very special internet process which is only for workshop attendees.  We will learn through direct experience both the magic and the power of "real" community in a natural flow of events which touch on all elements of what it is to be human and in authentic connection with one's higher self and then with each other. There will be a touching on and integration of     the physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual elements of our being.  Real community is both an environment and a way of being which acknowledges, heals, supports, integrates, and uplifts all of these elements within us, both individually and collectively.  Spiritually it is part of the path home.
 

The Gateway facilitator:  Eric N. Best, Ph.D.
 

Eric  is a unique combination of psychologist, scientist, and spiritual explorer.   He has practiced and taught meditation along with relationship and community building workshops for many years.  He is the author of "Touching Your Soul  -  The Path to Healing & Joy" which concludes with the opportunity to use real community as a down to earth manifestation of Joyful spirituality.

You can expect to gain from this experience:
 

Requirements for attending:

• An honest desire to know yourself better and to authentically connect with others.
• A commitment to stay present with the community process as it unfolds within you & us.
• A willingness to work, play, learn and experience Joy.

Dates :     A  Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  (Starting 9am Fri.     Ending 5pm Sun.)
                       Another Friday, Saturday & Sunday; approximately 10 weeks later.

Location :   Your Location.....  or
        The Mariposa Group community site in Bivins, Texas;  30 miles due south of Texarkana in the northeast corner of Texas, very close to the border with Louisiana and Arkansas in very beautiful, natural, and green rolling countryside.
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Costs :      GateWay starts off with a 3 day event in this rural retreat setting.  The process then  continues with a very special, supervised and exclusive InterNet connection among the participants of the initial 3 day event.   At the end of ten weeks there is the second 3 day retreat gathering of the participants.

Tuition    $325: for attending only the first event.        It is $625.for both retreats with an additional

         $100. discount in total tuition if you place a $350. deposit 6 weeks prior to the first of the two GateWay events, with the balance due by 4 weeks of the second event.  This will include for you the ten week internet connection between events at no charge.  Otherwise there is a $20 registration fee for the internet connection after attending the first event.  Again tuition for attending only the first event is $325.  After attending the first event, you may sign up for the second GateWay for $325.
                          Tuition policy and tuition reductions
 

   Housing :   At our location, there are several moderately priced motels are located a few miles away in
                        Atlanta, Texas.  Please inquire below and we will be glad to provide information on them.  On site sleeping may be available for those with RV's or sleeping bags.  The cost is $10 per night if this option is choosen.

   Food :     Lunch is a group activity each day at the retreat site.  The cost is $5.00 per person.
                    All other meals are individually handled.

Transportation:     For those flying in from out of state to our location, the closest airports are in Texarkana, Texas  (45 miles away) and Shrieveport, Louisiana (55
                                   miles away).  Dallas - Fort Worth (DFW) airport is about a 3 hour drive.  Rental cars are available at all 3 airports.   We will help you in coordinating rental car sharing with other attendees if you would like.
 

Contact      Call    903/799-6161   toregister   or for further information.

or email   Eric at:          MariposaFound  "at" gmail  Please excuse the spam

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"I went to the conference to learn about soft technology, organic gardening and financing.  I learned that if there is communion between the hearts, all else will fall into place.
                                                                Rhea Monro     Cambridge, England

"This is the first time I've come into community through Joy."
                                                                 Nancy Robb    Seattle, WA

"As I gained an understanding of the process, the "truth" had the impact of an explosion as the benefits became apparent.  Since I came with the intuitive awareness that something momentous was brewing, I realized that this experience has revealed clearly WHO I am and WHAT my future holds.  I intend to make this a reality."
                                                                    L.O.   Van Alystyne, Texas..

 "I can't imagine a more enabling experience for groups in almost any stage of forming a Co-Housing community than a Relationship / Community workshop such as this."
                                                                    Pat Denslow    Pasadena, California
....
"I loved the activities and the acts of intimacy & sharing left a deep impression on me.  I am starting to witness a sense of spiritual growth  -- spiritual partnerships coming out of this experience."                                                   L.U.   Irving, Texas

"What was best about this workshop for me was gaining an understanding that real community involves emotional honesty.  It is a very satisfying experience.  Feels like I am part of a family like the one I experienced in Colorado Springs."
                                                                              J.J.  McKinny, Texas

"Good Morning to All of You, The time at Eric's was at the top of my list of special gifts of the Christmas season.  Eric, thanks for opening up the beautiful home that you have.  I felt so content and at peace the entire time that I was there.
        I am curious.  Does anyone in the group have another group or community where you experience the same level of discussions and sharing?  I so enjoyed the discussions and the opportunity to get to know each one of you more intimately."
                                                                                                    ---  Emily

"..... The other meaning relates to Emily's question about whether any of us have communities where we can be as open and deep with each other.  I feel very alive internally after the incredibly nourishing visit with all of you at the Mariposa Group Ranch.
         I cannot believe it is only a week since the Texas gathering.  That visit was a wonderful example of why I fly all over the place  seeking community.  Money cannot buy the experience I had just being with all of you.  ........  Dr. Best - I hope that this year is another banner year for the Mariposa and GateWay groups.  Your persistence in your calling is  formidable.  Thank you for your  hospitality last weekend.  It was  truly an extraordinary event.
                                                                                                             ---  Nancy
 

        There was a question in a book I was reading yesterday that presented the question.    "In what type soil do you thrive?"  Our group has been such rich soil for me.  I need a place where there is the freedom to explore and ask questions and be different.  You all provide that type of soil for me.
         Bill and I saw the movie "Christmas with the Kranks" over the weekend.  It was good, but the part that disturbed me was here was a man who wanted to go against the system and do something different.  His neighborhood gave him no freedom to do that, instead much quilt and condemnation dumped upon him,   That is what I have learned to appreciate about "GateWay to Community" --- freedom to explore and be different is encouraged.   YES!
                                                                                                     --- Linda