November 11, Friday.

Yoga first thing in the morning with Yoga Mark. A great way to start the day.

And then I stepped into the most beautiful beginning of any training I’ve ever experienced, as we went around the circle introducing ourselves. The feeling in the room was so beautiful, people were so open and honest and real, it felt like it set the tone for the entire rest of the retreat. The feeling at the beginning was almost like a training feels at the end, where people feel so close to each other, united in their common spirit and humanity. Makes me wonder what this beginning feeling will do for the rest of the training.

We talked about those three ingredients I had come up with yesterday, and began to talk about the first, which is essentially knowing generally what we want people to come out of a one on one experience with us understanding or realizing. This sets our general direction, and it is one of the things that separates three principles coaching and counseling from all others.

Given the retreat format, we gave people the afternoon off. I took a little walk by myself down by the sea, then lay down for little catnap to get refreshed.

When we reconvened at 5:30 we dove into the second ingredient: deep, deep listening.

I can’t even tell you what a pleasure it is to work with Gabriela again. We have such incredible rapport, and there is a freedom in our back-and-forth teaching that is beyond the norm. I love both being with her and teaching with her.

That evening, the wonderful Lise did her singing activity, which is essentially helping people get through their thinking inhibitions when they sing in front of others. This is about the fourth time I have been part of this, and each time has been great, but this one was the best of all. Such a beautiful experience! A great first training day all around.