Consider some of your favorite community gardens. Are they full of color? Do they include various types of vegetation, petals, diverse root systems and foliage? Do they contain plants AND flowers? What about fruit? Does this garden smell sweet?

Take time to imagine.

I wonder about those who tend a garden diverse in color, scent and petals. Perhaps some arise early in the morning to water the herbs. Maybe there’s another person who pulls the weeds. One of the caretakers might use a hose to quench the rows of tomatoes while another landscaper installs irrigation lines.

Each gardener joins together, bringing their ideas and approaches to create a beautiful space. This idea of cross-pollination - embracing and welcoming healthy connections from different ways of thinking and doing, has potential to produce new and fresh produce.

In June, Retreat House Spirituality Center focused on our core value of Cultivation. With time, attention and  practice, Retreat House offers what is necessary for people and communities to grow into their best possible selves.  Cross-pollination, also a Retreat House core value, is a natural extension of the spaces we are cultivating in our spiritual lives. 

This month, Retreat House will focus on highlighting cross-pollination - the idea of taking the metaphorical DNA from one system, sector, institution, or paradigm and seeing what happens when we mix it with the DNA from a different system, sector, institution, or paradigm. 

Think about the hope, new growth and possible FREEDOM that might emerge when we are open to discovery in cross-pollination. 

As an interfaith community, Retreat House encourages sharing our faith and embracing the foundation of compassion that connects us.

Retreat House Co-Founder Rev. Deanna Hollas shares her thoughts on cross-pollination. Watch her video message.

Retreat House encourages Circle Way conversation allowing each voice to be heard and welcomed.  The weakest voices may speak the greatest truths.  The outdoor labyrinth at Retreat House is a metaphor for the cross pollination that we experience in our community.

When more than one pilgrim is on the labyrinth, the energy shifts and expands to hold space for more than one DNA to exist.  In addition to an onsite labyrinth, Retreat House offers monthly gatherings (now virtual) that allow for discovery of self and world through an inclusive lens. Spiritual direction, book discussions, contemplative painting and writers gathering as well as a practice created by Hollas BREATH. Welcome. Transform are all activities that value the soul and background of each participant, regardless of faith tradition.

All are welcomed by God.

All are held by God.

All are loved by God.

Do you have a personal story of the freedom found in cross-pollination? Send us a note.

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Retreat House Spirituality Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Please consider making a donation.