SGMG RETREAT Towards Sacred Community

30 May – 1 June 2014

This compilation draws on images and comments from participants who attended the SGMG Retreat with Andrew Harvey in May/June 2014. The comments do not necessarily quote the people in the adjacent pictures. Photographs by Peter Connelly and Andrew Yeo. -

1

An amazing experience of gay community - soaked in passion, wisdom and joy. I cannot recommend it highly enough for all gay people seeking divine empowerment and love-in-action.

Andrew Harvey

2

‘It  was  beautiful  to  see a group become  a  community’

Malcolm Pearce Karuna Retreat

‘This  has  been  one  of  the  most  exquisite experiences of my life. You

have given me tools, courage and greater wisdom. You have loved me

and allowed me to love you also. Thank you.

3

‘I  have  never  felt  that  being  gay  was a particular blessing. Actually, it was something I thought life would be easier without. This weekend made me proud  of  ‘who  I  am’  on  a  deeper  level and I felt a sense of true community, camaraderie and belonging. I wish to share this gift with other gay people.

4

‘An amazing rejuvenation of social passion and divine intention: a weekend of love and transformation unparalleled.’

Just amazing guys. It couldn’t  have  been  

organized better. The feeling of being a part of something

brilliant. Connections in gaze/ bodywork sessions.

5

‘Deeply  appreciative,  deeply  humble, deeply inspired – by Andrew’s  words.  This  wisdom,  his light and his passion. But also by what I love learnt from ALL the men here. I have deepened into a better sense of listening, connecting through heart ad eyes and LOVING each human seeing their beauty. And glimpses of the divine love Andrew has talked of. So much gratitude. (heart heart)’

6

‘Utterly magical, breathless, intense and awe-inspiring sacred work. I am now proud to be part of the gay tribe and wish everyone in the gay and straight community to experience the gift I was presented over the weekend. Forever transformed and my light is finally on. Thank you -’

`

7

Just wanted to say that this retreat was so beautiful, to experience the joyful souls I

encountered, the generosity of love and this level openness was extraordinary, whatever I gave I got back ten-fold. I carry some of that

with me now. Thank you to all.

8

It was an intense weekend of listening, thinking and allowing myself to just feel. I was on a high the whole weekend. Andrew’s talks were at times very intense and everyone got different things from what he said. He offered a perspective for me to observe my own ways. I think the biggest thing for me was being a part of a gay community that I had never experienced anywhere else.

Loved every moment of the retreat. Xxx

9

A gay community that didn't involve drugs, sex or alcohol. There was so much love, and I felt I had so much love to give and receive. Being a part of this retreat was very special in the way it brought like-minded, open hearted gay men together where they could feel a sense of brotherhood, camaraderie, spiritual fulfilment, openness and love. It was brilliant to be a part of and witness. It felt safe.

10

‘Wonderful guest-speaker. Good food. Loving group. Thank you for everything.

Much Love. Easy  and  relaxing.”

11

I love the choice of venue The program was really well-thought out

from beginning to end Expanded hugely my understanding of meditation – it gave me more concrete

practices and directions Shadow work was extremely useful

Really bonded with a strong sense of community.

I think this is a really nice big step forward The fire ceremony – loved it!

Late evening chats, massages, singing bowls, I love that element Bodywork was fun

(7:30am not quite so fun….)

12

‘I came in search of a new community and found it; plus, so much more. Thank you for organising a space for healing, growth and transformation’ finally a rebirth or rekindling of the fire that has burned in me since my youth’

‘The  passion  with  which  the  organisers in particular Kevin & Andrew, put into this retreat such a success and wonderful community  they’ve  created’

13

‘Andrew  was  an  incredible  speaker.  The sessions were perfectly timed – not  too  long.  Paul’s  bodywork  was  amazing.  Fire  was  great.  John’s  singing was amazing. Teas were fantastic  thanks  Andrew’

‘I am really eager to give pearls and wisdom,

but you’ve done too great a job.’

14

A very creative and informative retreat, also challenged my beliefs about the world. It would be good to see this work carried on further into the gay community and the straight community. I thank the organisers and Andrew Harvey for this wonderful experience.

15

‘An  excellent  weekend  – well organized. More of these retreats in Sydney and beyond. Good interactions, excellent content and processes.

‘+Awesome  ‘first-time’  organisation +Great, friendly environment. +It  was  so  gay!  Thank  you’

16

Great food!

Very well organized event. Good work.

17

‘The  intensive  and  enticing space of being all held together, to go

deeper, to go individually and as

community. The opportunity to receive

these inspiring teachings in a gay

heart-space is wonder filled. Thanks you

(heart)’

18

‘I loved the retreat. I would like to work with the Group to ensure that our practice remains deep and does not move in the direction of “spiritual saccharine”, as Andrew put it. I have found the opportunity to talk and meditate with other men – wonderful and uplifting. I feel that this is the beginning of a journey for our community.’

19

Moved my heart: - ‘Wonderful  teacher  – enjoyed his

passions, crazy wisdom, diva mind. - Being in community with gay men - Welcomed - Healing nature of the land - Andrew’s  passion  for  changing  the

world

1. The beautiful story about Rumi. 2. The inner strength of Andrew Harvey. 3. The spiritual journey of Andrew Harvey.

20

‘The  weekend  retreat  has  opened  my mind for heartbreak and shadow  and  how  to  transform  it’

‘Relaxing,  friendship, calm mind, freedom.’

21

The beautiful container that was set by the men who organized the weekend provided a spacious and safe place for me to come home to myself once again. The rich and warm stories that were shared by all men. The love and acceptance that was fostered. The joy of just being together with brothers from my tribe.

22

It went fantastically. Great for the gay community. Feels like incredibly ground breaking. Yes needed! I reckon so many got so much out of it. Kevin, Peter & Andrew should be so proud of what they have achieved. The details were incredible – music, lights, sat dinner, the planning. AMAZING. Well done!

‘Andrew’s tuition was fantastic. He is so learned and dynamic & engaging. He was the best bit. The leadership group was fantastic. The whole retreat seemed so seamless and well organized. No shadows.’

23

‘Positively  disturbing,  thought provoking,

heart starting, love and being  real.’

‘Focus  on  connecting  with  the divine that is already in us by tuning into the divine. And be looking at our shadows. Then taking our newly revealed connection to our true divine self and then  living  that  each  day  and  (in)  every  way’  

24

‘The only shadow I saw was the negativity and lack within me’

This as my first loving non-sexual gathering within the gay community. This retreat is evidence of the potential of the gay community. Thank you!! I feel blessed + loved!!

25

What moved my heart – The program. Very well considered and

structured. – Sacred sexuality an the importance of

gays and the gay experience – Andrew’s  passion.  What  a  gift  in  this  

moment. It might never come again.

My whole life has come to this moment where I know what to do for the rest of it! God Bless us all. Love XXX

26

Nothing seemed to interfere with

the flow and integrity of the

weekend.

27

‘The most magical and powerful moment happened when Andrew Harvey served me dinner during our silent meal. He radiated love, compassion and the Divine. I will remember and cherish this event all my life. Andrew imparted the ideals of the Divine, that moment. I thank the Divine for the experience. No shadows only love.’

28

‘What  touched  my  heart’ - compassion, transformation, genuine, courage, honesty, challenge, generosity,

spirit and heart, community, warmth, conversation.

Thank you all for such a great weekend together. I felt very blessed to be there with Andrew and with all of you.

29

The only way to describe in words my feeling of this significant gathering “When you are in search of gold and along the way you discover diamonds.”

This weekend has touched my heart and strengthened the sense of belonging I feel with the SGMG.

Thank you xo