Lower Lights 7-Day Silent Retreat: March 2025

7-Day Silent Retreat with Intensive Training in Integral Polarity Practice (Hillsboro, Oregon)

Join us this coming summer in the idyllic, rolling hills of Hillsboro, Oregon at Scholls Valley Lodge, for a deep dive into Integral Polarity Practice (IPP). IPP is a “Mindfulness+”, integrating all of the wisdom of the mindfulness tradition, but evolving it in significant ways. IPP draws from the deep wisdom patterns of Christianity and Buddhism, but also from modern modalities including developmental psychology and Integral Theory. In the words of John Kesler, its creator:

Integral Polarity Practice (IPP) is designed to support a person in “waking up” and “growing up” as well as in developing a healthy integration of body, emotions, mind, and Spirit. IPP also provides a framework for interrelating and integrating deeper internal awareness with more inspired, passionate, and creative action in the world: “showing up.” It provides strategies for working productively with polarities in relational and organizational settings. In short, IPP is a practice that supports human thriving.

A retreat setting is an ideal way to train in mindfulness and Integral Polarity Practice. Intensive periods of meditation practice are extremely beneficial for working through challenging content in the body and mind. Practically speaking, if we don’t give ourselves time and space to do deep healing in retreat, the mental/emotional patterns that cause so much suffering in our lives will continue to bind us like chains. Though meditation retreat is challenging, it is one of the most valuable practices we can pursue to experience deeper joy and freedom in life. More significantly, as our own suffering diminishes, our capacity to love and serve others increases exponentially.

This retreat includes:
• daily instruction on mindfulness / Integral Polarity Practice in a small group setting
• one on one sessions with the retreat leader
• extended periods of silence
• time outdoors, mindful walking, exercise
• conscious work practice
• delicious, nourishing food