Full day! Started with meeting Chef Patti and Carl, the drummer, in Palm Springs….went over plans and menus – as anticipated, Chef Patti is on her game … the more she suggested, the more we nodded, “yes”. Started with the dark chocolate with pepper dessert for Thursday evening and continued through the homemade pulled chicken enchiladas complete with fresh white corn stripped from the cob … oh, and fresh blueberry pancakes Sunday morning to support you through our final session. Carl provided two CD’s of his music for sampling – generous and excited to take us to the next level with his drums Saturday night.

On to the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, where the Science for  Mindfulness Meets Legal Practice retreat happens in March – surpasses expectations. The accommodations include a soaking pool right off the main meeting room, indoor and outdoor seating for meals, a beautiful fireplace for the exclusive use of our retreat participants which is and outdoor fire-pit (lots of atmosphere for the cooler high desert evenings), and more than comfortable sleeping arrangements — all for the exclusive use of our retreat participants. Pictured above is the Chalice Well, a replica of the famous well in England … just a sample of the features that make the retreat center an ideal place for lawyers to practice mindfulness and learn how to integrate it into work and everyday life.

Lastly, right before sundown, we snuck into the park to get a quick look at the ancient rock formations that give this part of the earth such a unique and awesome look. Joshua Trees and numerous cacti species decorate the landscape. Can’t wait to share this with you in person in March – right in time for the beginning of the bloom!

For more information on the retreat, please call us or check out the brochure!

We welcome your questions and input!

~Karen and Debra

Here we go!!! So excited…Karen Bonnell and I just took off on our flight for Palm Springs California, and on to Joshua Tree Retreat Center to do the site inspection, meet the caterer, Chef Patti, and drummer, Carl Roessler, to firm up plans for the Science of Mindfulness for Lawyers retreat that Integrative Practices is hosting March 17, 2011. If you haven’t seen the brochure – please check it out! Personally, I cannot wait to meet Chef Patti and talk about her gourmet menu choices — she will be on-site during the retreat putting together healthy gourmet spreads to delight our palates and fill our bellies.  And, Karen cannot wait to meet Carl to hear more about not only his incredible drumming skills, but also his use of the Native American flute to create an experience with music that deepens levels of consciousness, open creative abilities and support our mindfulness practice. After we meet with Chef Patti and Carl in Palm Springs, we will head up to Joshua Tree Retreat Center where we can walk the labyrinth, meditate near the Chalice Well Pond or hike among the ancient boulders in the National Park. We’ll attach a picture of those incredible sapphire blue skies!! I hope you can join us there in March…….we welcome your questions and interest! Please join in the conversation! ~ Debra