off to ian gawler foundation for 10 days meditation, juicing and who knows

pete43lost_at_sea
pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
edited October 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
i always wanted to goto ian gawler foundation. now I am off for 10 days meditation, juicing and who knows what else. its about life approaches that help you live. its all vegetarian food, 5 veg juices a day, all organic. each day is a little over $200 a day for accomodation, meals, drinks and lectures and other bits and pieces. I booked it at the last minute when they had cancellation and the timing works well for me and i am going with my wife and kids blessing. my wife was keen to go as well, but we have noone who can look after the kids and the business for 10 days.

its along trip from everywhere else except australia, but they do get international guests.

http://www.gawler.org/

I doubt I'll be posting much as they will be pretty against internet, the point of the retreat is meditation and reflection i think. i don't read the brochures, i like to turnup without knowing thats supposed to happen. i find its more adventurous then, and i have no preconceptions. I am prepared to be quiet heart broken by living with ill cancer patients.

has anyone else done any of these alternative retreats ?

it should be really healthy and relaxing. i may be the healthiest of the other 38 participants, as i am through treatment, exercising heaps and technically cancer free.
that does sound nice, despite the number of stage 3s who have gone onto to stage 4.

I have a bet with my daughter that i will be down from 94 kilograms to 89 kilograms over the next two weeks. she gets her christmass roller skates earlier if i don't make my target. its just for fun.

I'll be walking daily at sunrise in the victorian countryside. Hopefully pepe and the others can keep the walking post ticking over.

hugs,
pete
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Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Wow
    Sounds intense. To be honest, I'd never be able to do that. Wish you the best and hope you get what you want from the retreat. I'd be sneaking a beer along :)

    Kim
  • relaxoutdoors08
    relaxoutdoors08 Member Posts: 521 Member
    #3
    Happy for You
    Pete,
    Happy for You. Go and please share when you get back what you have learned at the retreat.
    I will try to do better with being more consistent with exercise and Tai Chi and record on the exercise walking post while you are at your retreat.
    NB
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #4
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Wow
    Sounds intense. To be honest, I'd never be able to do that. Wish you the best and hope you get what you want from the retreat. I'd be sneaking a beer along :)

    Kim

    thanks kim
    Yes intensely healthy and relaxing.
    Hugs,
    Pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #5
    relaxoutdoors08 said:

    Happy for You
    Pete,
    Happy for You. Go and please share when you get back what you have learned at the retreat.
    I will try to do better with being more consistent with exercise and Tai Chi and record on the exercise walking post while you are at your retreat.
    NB

    thanks nb
    I'll share as I will be altered, hopefully improved by the experience.
    It's a year ago I had the big resect done.
    How time flys when your having fun.
    Hugs,
    Pete
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #6
    for later...
    May want to record lectures for later memory, whether age or chemo related. Some pocket recorders are good for 100+ hours. Of course, we're all ears for new tidbits.
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #7
    Sounds like a spiritual
    Sounds like a spiritual adventure.....would love to hear all about it when you return.
    PS: I liked when Annabelle wrote too, about sneaking in a beer. Heehee
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #8
    tanstaafl said:

    for later...
    May want to record lectures for later memory, whether age or chemo related. Some pocket recorders are good for 100+ hours. Of course, we're all ears for new tidbits.

    ian gawler
    well has fought cancer 30 plus years, dedicated his life to helping us cancer battlers.
    gives a pretty wonderfuol message of peace, love, diet, etc etc.

    i am taking my box of supplements and my chinese tea. i will get feedback on my current regime and see what gels.

    my naturopath is ordering a battery of tests aimed at genetic tests aimed at food processing among other things, one aimed at determining if my body processes folate to folinic acid correctly as well as live blood analysis. so i will see. we are aiming to cut the range of supplements.

    i just downloaded a new mp3 recorder for my smart phone. did you read the latest lef mag about nf-kappaB. i'lll do a post about it now, its worth passing.

    when i was on outward bound when i was 18, along time ago i spent 3 days on a mountain top on my own contemplating the meaning of life. here comes another of these experiences.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #9
    tommycat said:

    Sounds like a spiritual
    Sounds like a spiritual adventure.....would love to hear all about it when you return.
    PS: I liked when Annabelle wrote too, about sneaking in a beer. Heehee

    thanks tommycat
    i loved kim's idea about smuggling as well. its just i don't really like beer, except on hot days. going off the beer and alcohol has been easy, its the icecream thats been hard, but i find a good sorbet with yogurt and fruit a pleasant substitute.

    in a way i feel my lifes a spiritual adventure ? so many things to help with family and friends.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #10
    tommycat said:

    Sounds like a spiritual
    Sounds like a spiritual adventure.....would love to hear all about it when you return.
    PS: I liked when Annabelle wrote too, about sneaking in a beer. Heehee

    thanks tommycat
    i loved kim's idea about smuggling as well. its just i don't really like beer, except on hot days. going off the beer and alcohol has been easy, its the icecream thats been hard, but i find a good sorbet with yogurt and fruit a pleasant substitute.

    in a way i feel my lifes a spiritual adventure ? so many things to help with family and friends.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #11
    tommycat said:

    Sounds like a spiritual
    Sounds like a spiritual adventure.....would love to hear all about it when you return.
    PS: I liked when Annabelle wrote too, about sneaking in a beer. Heehee

    thanks tommycat
    i loved kim's idea about smuggling as well. its just i don't really like beer, except on hot days. going off the beer and alcohol has been easy, its the icecream thats been hard, but i find a good sorbet with yogurt and fruit a pleasant substitute.

    in a way i feel my lifes a spiritual adventure ? so many things to help with family and friends.

    hugs,
    pete
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #12
    Pete
    Pete,
    It sounds wonderful. I am relaxing just thinking of the time you will have. Looking forward to you sharing with us.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #13
    Kathleen808 said:

    Pete
    Pete,
    It sounds wonderful. I am relaxing just thinking of the time you will have. Looking forward to you sharing with us.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    thanks kathleen
    thanks for the kind response. I hope **** is going well.

    i am rreading "peace, love and healing" by bernie siegel. its was written in the late 80s. so the medical science maybe outdated but its message is very positive and uplifting. only cost a $1 on amazon.

    only 3 days ago i had no plan to goto this retreat, this time tomorrow i will be having breakfast with my mother and sister in melbourne and then a few hours drive up into the mountains. its a beautiful area near where my sister lives. she called me yesterday asking what i eat now, i said food and then said steamed tomatoes, some salmon and poached organic free range eggs if possible oh and baked beans. how kind of her. its strange she visited a month ago and was worried about cognitive decline and i told her all about fish oil. an article is just in this quarters lef magazine about it, i will pack it in my bag for her to read. she did not believe supplements would help. of course i respect her opinion but i see a huge irony where she thinks positive thinking and discipline can overrcome cognitive decline and no faith in supplements and diet ie fish oil. In a sense i really respect her belief in her own strength of purpose. that i share with her with my cancer treatment.

    I have to get to the gym and church today, so goto go.

    this retreat/course is going to be life enhancing, i am sure.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #14
    days 1 to day4
    everyday is full on
    5 veg juices a day
    amazing vegan food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    3 30-45 minute meditations sessions daily. i am really enjoying the meditations.
    i am much better at it now.

    another 35 friends on this course, many with challenging illness. no other bowel cancers.

    sharing a dorm room with 5 other top guys. 2 dads my age with an amazing fighting spirit.

    so much laughter and fun, here, not sad at all/

    the diet info is great. all previous research is the same as they present. so i am reassured my diet and suppplements are on track.

    hugs,
    pete
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #15
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    days 1 to day4
    everyday is full on
    5 veg juices a day
    amazing vegan food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    3 30-45 minute meditations sessions daily. i am really enjoying the meditations.
    i am much better at it now.

    another 35 friends on this course, many with challenging illness. no other bowel cancers.

    sharing a dorm room with 5 other top guys. 2 dads my age with an amazing fighting spirit.

    so much laughter and fun, here, not sad at all/

    the diet info is great. all previous research is the same as they present. so i am reassured my diet and suppplements are on track.

    hugs,
    pete

    Sounds right up my alley!
    Sounds right up my alley! Enjoy!!!
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #16
    Nana b said:

    Sounds right up my alley!
    Sounds right up my alley! Enjoy!!!

    thanks raquel,

    learning lots, the lectures are amazing.
    from pain management using meditation , to the secrets of pain relief presented by a doctor.
    tonight we had the most amazing harp mini concert.

    everyone is so relaxed and friendly.

    hugs,
    pete
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #17
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    thanks raquel,

    learning lots, the lectures are amazing.
    from pain management using meditation , to the secrets of pain relief presented by a doctor.
    tonight we had the most amazing harp mini concert.

    everyone is so relaxed and friendly.

    hugs,
    pete

    Sounds heavenly
    Hey pete,

    Next time would you consider letting me be a stowaway in your luggage? I have always wanted to go on one of these retreats. You lucky duck.

    Looking forward to hearing more about it.

    peace, emily
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #18
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    thanks raquel,

    learning lots, the lectures are amazing.
    from pain management using meditation , to the secrets of pain relief presented by a doctor.
    tonight we had the most amazing harp mini concert.

    everyone is so relaxed and friendly.

    hugs,
    pete

    Sounds good
    I would love to hear about the pain management. My pain could use a little "managing!"

    Glad you're enjoying the retreat so much!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #19
    tootsie1 said:

    Sounds good
    I would love to hear about the pain management. My pain could use a little "managing!"

    Glad you're enjoying the retreat so much!

    *hugs*
    Gail

    having a fabulous and challenging time.
    dear gail,

    sorry to hear about nagging pain.

    everyday is special and filled with fellowship, sharing and learning.
    the other particpants stories are humbling, and for some the challengers are well let say challenging. i have shared some of our survivors stories from here to cheer them up.

    now to pain management. meditation can releive or greatly reduce pain. a girl woth stabbing liver pain and aches had these removed. the technique i cannot describe, i have it recorded for our groups private use. but just google pain management and meditation. i can attest it worked in front of me and i tried it myself while walking bare foot this morning over really rough gavel that was really painful. still trying to get blood flow to feet to heal neuropathy. i tired some techniques that helped. i was walking over the gravel to watch this really cute koala bare that was climbing a tree in the car park.
    while discussing nature, this property used to be a farm and is now a sanctuary. we saw two male kangeroo's fighting at sunrise. actually they were boxing. i saw them while doing my sunrise walk.

    basically you relax meditate for 5 minutes, then visualise the area of pain 5 minutes and wash it mentally and its gone or improved. the power of the mind. let me know if you try this and it helps.

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #20
    2bhealed said:

    Sounds heavenly
    Hey pete,

    Next time would you consider letting me be a stowaway in your luggage? I have always wanted to go on one of these retreats. You lucky duck.

    Looking forward to hearing more about it.

    peace, emily

    being myself and a bit out their
    dear emily,

    i will get a bigger bag. one day would be great.

    so i am close to being a vegan now and i have learnt heaps. like
    oxidized grated green apple for helping with diarrhea. also drinking flour mixed with water. sounds yuk but supposed to be effective and better then prescription drugs.

    they use chsampion juices here, and make about 2000 juices during the course. they are yummy.

    finished with diet and science and getting into the soul and emotions for the last 4 days. i know of heaps of childhood issues that are starting to surface. i miss the wife and kids, but will come back healthier and wiser.

    thanks for being such a support over the last year with regards to my lifestyle modifications about diet, exercise and juicing.

    i would encourage anyone interested in diet and juicing and alternatives to do this type of retreat. they are focused on getting the body to heal itself and enhancing the immune system.

    i am a lucky ducky to be here alive, to be here on the retreeat and to have the enormous support and knowledge of this board.

    hugs,
    pete

    hugs,
    pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #21
    tommycat said:

    Sounds like a spiritual
    Sounds like a spiritual adventure.....would love to hear all about it when you return.
    PS: I liked when Annabelle wrote too, about sneaking in a beer. Heehee

    some people sneaked dairy free top class dark chocolate
    they were popular. heehee
    i too liked the idea of sneaking some treats.
    but i thought i would follow the rules for once in my life.
    then i bought my laptop and thought to myself, why start now.
    following the rules.

    i like the new healthy me so much, i don't miss beer.

    hugs,
    pete

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