The document reflects on the speaker's experience at an integration and intimacy retreat held in the Rio Grande room. Over the course of nine days, the group engaged in meditation, self-reflection, sharing feelings and needs, and supporting each other through touch and connection. On the last day, the speaker took photos to capture the transformative experience and feelings of belonging, mutuality, and love within the community. The speaker feels grateful to have found lodging for each person in their expanding heart and to carry the experience and connections with the group in their heart as they leave New Mexico.

1. Rio Grande
Room
Integration &
Intimacy

2. I enjoy the chance to integrate our
experience in the Rio Grande room
into our present day bodies

3. These past few July days, as we meditate on the Needs of
the Day, as I navigate my needs and feelings around life in
the Vossen Vukelic household,
emerging life on the iit list-serv, my indwelling,
the feelings and needs alive around my father’s failing
health,
Intimacy and integration seem to bump and connect in
grace-filled, life-giving ways.

4. The best way to communicate this to you,
especially with Edilma’s expresssion of rushed
processing at iit’s end,
and Michael’s feelings around vulnerability
when intimacy springs forth,
is to offer you my reflections through the pictures
I took on the last day of our time together
in the sterile bubble of the Rio Grande Room.
Sterile to me brings beauty and purity.

5. Before our last meeting, I spent holy time riding the
bike that Lynn so graciously, willingly, and lovingly
loaned me……all because I answered my need to
silence my jackal and ask for a ride to the gym…..

6. And I heard, from deep inside…..this prayer, which
created movement in me, and I found myself clicking my
prayer……
Peace Above
Me…..
Peace
Below
Me….
Peace
Behind Me…

7. Peace In Front
of me….
Peace to
the right of
me…..
Peace to
the Left of
me…..

8. Aaaaahhhhh, Peace INSIDE of
me….Calm Alert.

9. Then, to come back to the reality that Last Day
brings…..”pictures!!! I need to capture this
transformative experience in tangible form!!!”

10. How beautiful to
enter a room where
both jackals and
giraffes are
represented, safe,
and welcome.
Meeting my thirsty need for
belonging,
connection,
the mutuality of knowing,
And wanting to be known…….

15. We rallied
around Edilma’s
needs and
feelings,
because we had
paid attention to
rallying around
each other all
nine days!!
Moments led into
other moments....
Known or not…

16. Agreed, “you don’t own
me.” I feel tender to
know that each of you
found lodging in my
ever-expanding heart,
which beats alone and
together.

17. I, too, felt rushed, especially after experiencing all of the hands
that supported Edilma’s journey to your core. There we were,
supporting Tanya supporting and listening to Edilma through
touch, moving together to create a safe space for healing.
……so soon after the ever so simple Big Circle Song of
Connection….gazing into eyes…..I am THAT I am……Into Me
See….and Into Me You Have Seen and I am More Complete…..
Tears of Connection, Humility, Gratitude, Grief at the Leaving,
JOY, Grace, Community…..
Who could question that we took time to leave that circle???
That Bubble of Exploring,
Affirmation,
Acknowledgement,
Authenticity
L-O-V-E

18. Southwest Airlines didn’t charge me for the
most important bag I left New Mexico
with….All of You, in my Heart, Safe, Sound,
and Loved.