Led by Betsey Beckman and Susanna Pain

General information

About the facilitators
Betsey Beckman, MM comes to us from the United States bearing sacred body wisdom and soulful dances. With Christine Paintner at Abbey of the Arts, she has produced a body of work exploring the artistry of Monks and Mystics, including books, CDs and DVDs. Betsey holds a Masters in Ministry, a Certificate in Movement Therapy, and is regularly featured as artist/presenter across the U.S.  This is her first time down under and she is over the moon to create, play and pray in the beauty of the Oz-land desert! ​
Susanna Pain is a midwife of transformation, an InterPlay facilitator, dancer, storyteller, and priest and with extensive experience working with creative forms of spiritual and life formation.  She was a founding director of InterPlay Australia and particularly loves playing in our land’s rich orange desert landscape. 
 
Susanna and Betsey are delighted to have found each other! As InterPlay leaders and spiritual directors, they both are passionate about the intersection of movement and mystery, playfulness and prayerfulness, nature and soul-nourishment.  They recently shared the gift of InterPlay at the World Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dancing in the Desert
For monks and mystics throughout time, the desert has been a place for encountering the divine presence. We invite you to come to the heart of our own magnificent central desert to rest, play, reflect, and create reflective (or raucous!) ritual in community. Beside ancient red rocks, under giant river gum trees, in the sand, and around open fires we will be silent, move, make art, sing and tell stories that connect us with ourselves, each other, the spirit of the land and the divine presence infusing all. ​
As Susanna and Betsey are steeped in the Christian tradition, we will weave wisdom from monastic and meditative practices throughout the retreat. We are happy to welcome folks from all spiritual traditions to dance the journey with us!​
We dance to the new rhythm,
the ancient rhythm,
the holy rhythm ...
We dance to bring space.
We dance to hold hands ...
We dance.
We dance wild.
We are the Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks.
​
Joel McKerrow
 
​About the facility
Campfire in the Heart is a wonderful Retreat and Conference Centre about ten minutes drive from Alice Springs. It offers a spacious Conference Room, Prayer and Meditation Space, Labyrinth with relaxing walking paths and outdoor areas. 

​The East MacDonnell Ranges form the backdrop for this tranquil 5-acre property. The property provides quality accommodation in a quiet comfortable bush setting. Your hosts at Campfire in the Heart are Sue and David Woods. The property and facilities sensitively reflect Sue and David’s welcome of guests and their care of the natural environment. 
There are places that call us to still and be ... places of
reflection ... quiet, wild, timeless places that overflow the soul ... and draw us in to the silence of our own heartland.

Noel Davis 

Past event details

Friday 30 September 2016 until Tuesday 4 October 2016 with Betsey Beckman and  Susanna Pain

$1200 all inclusive, $1000 early bird
4 nights, 4 days

Download the flyer for the event: MonksandMystics16.pdf (6645kb)

Stayed at Campfire in the Heart
Banner image by Sarah Stewart.