PERSONAL GUIDED RETREAT WELCOME PAK (You may wish to print this document for later reference as you do your first home process.) THIS SOULARTS WELCOME PAK CONTAINS: 1. Welcome Letter 2. Informed Consent Disclosures Page 3. SoulArts Participation & Release Form 4. Home Prep Exercise Your Life Bio 5. Additional References and Useful Web Links
Welcome to the Art of being Wholly YOU!..and to our sacred apprenticeship together You have made what I consider to be the most noble quest of a lifetime: To discover the true depths of one s Self.and to thereby come to know and live from the deepest meaning of life. I honor and take very seriously this level of self-investment to a life that is fully alive. You may think you just want peace, joy, life direction and purpose and I m sure you do. But what do you suppose is underneath those desires? What does it take to create a life of peace, balance, happiness? It actually takes an inner journey to discover how to live what is real for you. Once you learn to hear and discern your heart s true longing for aliveness from beyond the walls of the rationalizations of fear, the next step is to learn how to invoke or live in a way that brings your heart s longing into meaningful collaboration with the evolving realities of life and true living. It is an amazing inner adventure of soul you have embarked upon: A quest to dare look for a deeper and more meaningful life. It is an inner adventure that takes courage, commitment, investment, and a creative and openhearted vigilance. You re on the road to true self-mastery - which is not about controlling, managing, or molding to the status quo..but about attaining an attentive, graceful artistry for really living your unique genius. You will likely find, as we go and at various junctures, that this revolutionary process of navigating your soul s deepest longing for freedom within the seas of fear is somewhat like playing a computer game: once you understand one level of life and know how to play it, the screen suddenly changes, the old rules no longer apply (and may in fact be directly in the way) as you are called to rediscover new ways of moving within the next evolving level of soulful aliveness. My role as spiritual mentor/guide is to help shine a light on the changing (and often challenging) terrain of the unknown that can so often cause confusion, or old fear-based stagnation. As you become more and more aware of these deeper levels of soul and how to overcome the fear that stands in your way, you naturally come into the balanced poise as master artisan of your life. In the Eastern tradition, spiritual mentoring is not about getting something from the teacher but everything about his/her showing you how to find, engage, and then integrate around the Truth that resides within YOU. This is my dedication to you, and for that reason our work is not on the clock with standard times and schedules, but one of a spiritual apprenticeship where we enter a sacred relationship and evolving process of helping you to find and follow your own Truth. We will be finding your unique path to inner harmony and Self-realization and it will have its own unique timing, landscape and climate. Welcome to the real adventure of YOU!
A Contemplation for You: What is true life mastery? What would really mark your life a success? (Take a minute to stop and ponder what it is for you ) ~ ~ ~ To me, a true life Master is one who becomes adept at conscious relationship with Life: (s)he is one who engages in questioning, listening, and honoring the very Spirit of Life here, in each moment - as one s primary and evolutionary life force. The KEY to finding peace, joy, inner guidance, life purpose, and meaning is this: Learning how to discern between the voice of your fears and the voice of your soul. and then learning how to invoke (and live by) the deeper character and authority of your soul by making conscious honoring acts to the truth of where you stand ( huh? you may be saying?) This is the essence to which we will dedicate our work together. GET READY! It is remarkably simple and inspiring and mysterious and profound. It is simple but not easy (as I often say). You ll see and I promise you ll be both relieved and excited. If you get nervous and think what have I gotten into? expect it. The voice of fear almost always comes up when we are on the verge of making a soulful shift. Become an observer; cultivate a sense of humor about it;. If you can assume a curious amused attitude toward the places and ways of self-sabotage, you will already be gifting yourself with an important self-acceptance of compassion. Great place to start. Recognize that an inner process began with your hitting the send button. Honor the adventure and the unknown, and you will be rewarded with the knowing of your true self. I am available by email should you need, and I very much admire and hold sacred your intention of soul leading you to this magical process of self-awakening. It s really and truly fun actually and that s often a first surprise, just after realizing how needed a safe haven sanctuary and time for YOU was to your life at this time. With Love and anticipation of your emerging insights and joy, Ronda LaRue
INFORMED CONSENT & RELEASE FORM FOR SOUL ARTS ENGAGEMENT WITH RONDA LARUE; Center for SoulArts (Please Read, and return signed copy or may complete when get here) To nurture this very special and unique opportunity to work with me in private at my own artisan home and in small private groups at select properties, it is important that I have your acknowledged understanding and agreement to these disclosures before we begin. I look forward to serving your own inner wisdom! DISCLOSURES: The nature of my soul arts mentoring life work and authority in working privately and in small groups with clients, is well-reflected and documented in my web site presence, including my academic background, books authored, client testimonials, contemplative writings, and endorsements. Please be sure you have taken the time to fully familiarize yourself with this biographical background. (See www.rondalrue.com) Like many authors in our culture today, my work as a spiritual teacher, was not a title I bestowed upon myself, but one I have acknowledged as my calling and gift after many years of practice as a healer teacher and guide. I humbly accept this charge with the utmost reverence and care. My formal academic training is an M.S. in social research and evaluation methodology from Texas Christian University emphasis in medical/mental health research and learning. I have been a professional consultant to organizations for over 26 years as owner of my own company, InfoVision Systems. I have been a life-long student of psychology; east/west philosophy; vibration medicine; energy healing; cross cultural shamanic-healing; the expressive arts; and orthodox religions (I was raised in a strong open Christian family; studied Buddhism, Jewish Kabala, and practice many forms of direct relationship with the Divine). However, my real wisdom training and unique healing gift comes from my own inner life work and personal struggles. It is this, which I uncovered through my own wounds, depth study, and healing breakthrough, that I find myself with the gift of being able to see the unique genius in others, and to guide individuals through this self-healing awakening and realization of the language of soul. Release Page 1:3
DISCLOSURES CONTINUED The tools I offer are very simple and very very profoundly life transforming. You will know how to follow your own unique path of spiritual connection, self-healing and peace - simple as that. I am not an academically trained psychotherapist nor is this work psychotherapy. I am not a medical doctor nor do I prescribe or advise on medication. The nature of the work we do is sacred and soulful. It does not fit into our contemporary mainstream culture as a job description. It is not therapy; it is not religion; it is not a cult or a dogma. It is a creative hosting of inner space and presence that allows you to find and live from your own inner direction. I will ask questions and make suggestions and observations. Only you will determine what courses to take and how you will go about it. Privacy Your privacy is always protected. I will NOT share your e-mail or any other private information unless you expressively give permission (such as testimonials granted) or where materials shared are completely anonymous. Anything you share with me in private will remain that way unless you give permission otherwise, or, in the special case where I may be bound by professional ethics to intervene for your own or another's physical safety (such as danger to self or other). Anonymous photos of individual and group activity during the retreat process may be published on SoulArts website and other promotional materials. All care will be given to your anonymity, unless otherwise requested. Cancellation Policy: Deposit secures your dates. Full final payment is due 30 days prior to your retreat. (Please contact me for alternative payment plan if needed and I'll work with you as best I can.) If you cancel your retreat 30 days before your first day of retreat, you will be refunded 85% of the money you have paid (15% retained to offset administrative fees). If you cancel within 30 days of the start of your retreat, half of the retreat fee (normally the deposit) is non-refundable unless I am able to fill your space, in which case 85% of the money you have paid will be refunded to you. We may also elect to reschedule you for a future date. If I must cancel for any unexpected reason, you will be refunded your retreat fees paid. Your travel costs are never reimbursed by SoulArts and trip insurance (many online sources) is suggested.* *For those who would like to insure your retreat trip with a cancellation policy, I know of this site: insuremytrip.com - and I have also had Access America and Travel Guard recommended to me, but have no personal experience or connection with them. Release Page 2:3
DISCLOSURES FINAL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: While I will give you nourishing attention as best I m able, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own mental, emotional and physical safety throughout this soul arts tending process. Be sure you are ready to take on that responsibility before entering into this soul arts work. Soul arts tending is an inner journey that can bring up inner conflict and old wounds and projections. This is good - when handled consciously as an acknowledged and reverent part of the healing/insight and breakthrough process. Before entering into soul arts tending with me, I ask you to pre-disclose any medications you are taking for any health or mental conditions, as well as any history of mental or emotional disturbances that could be exacerbated by this inner work. Do NOT stop taking any current medications under the care of your physician or therapist during our time together unless supervised by your attending physician and with my prior knowledge and agreement. If you have concerns about your mental/physical condition with regard to this soul arts tending, obtain the advice of your attending physician or therapist before entering into this soul arts tending. I am available to talk with your physician or therapist if need be. FOR THOSE HERE on Private Retreat at 703 Tico Road: I openly and heartfully share this private and exclusive apprenticeship soul tending with you because this is the best possible environment I have found to help facilitate the private space and nourishing atmosphere needed for truly meeting and realizing your own inner guidance and path. In today s culture this is truly a rare treasure! I ask you to please be clear that YOU are responsible for your personal safety here at all times. By entering into this private home property or other retreat setting with me, you agree to protect it and to release me, along with my assets, from any liability due to accident or unanticipated mishap as a result of being here. This was once a personal responsibility we all naturally took in life and it s important to reclaim it here. By signing this form, you state to having fully read, understood, and agreed to the disclosures and release terms of this document in order to engage SoulArts with Ronda. Your Name Date Signature of Work Engagement Release Retreat Please return signed copy by mail, fax, or signed scanned email delivery. Thanks And welcome to the adventure of a lifetime!
SOULARTS RETREAT PARTICIPATION FORM: Please complete each question below and email, fax or snail mail back to me. NOTE: You also received this in prior email so no need to do again here if already sent, thanks. I. CONTACT INFORMATION: 1) Name (Full Name AND nickname as you wish to be addressed): 2) Your PRIMARY email address: 3) Your HOME or Office Phone: 4) Your CELL Phone (important for travel days!): 5) Your Mailing Address: 6) Emergency Contact Person: 7) Emergency Contact Phone: II. LIFESTYLE PROFILE 1) Gender: 2) Current Age: 3) Occupation: 4) Marital Status & Number In Your Household: PLEASE KEEP THESE NEXT RESPONSES AS BREIF AS POSSIBLE... 5) What do you do for exercise and how often? 6) How healthy would you say your diet is on a scale of 1-10 (10 being EXCELLENT!):
7) Do you eat meat...or are you strictly vegetarian or vegan; any dietary restrictions or allergies? 8) Do you struggle with any addictions? (alcohol, work, TV, sugar, caffeine, etc.): 9) What do you currently do as spiritual practice(s)? 10) What are some areas of spirituality that most interest you or that you'd like to make more a part of your daily life? 11) What is your physical fitness level... Any restrictions of movement? 12) Have you had any significant training (spiritual or other) that you would like me to know about? 13) Are you happy with your life direction? Why or why not (stay brief please): 14) What do you hope to gain from this retreat? 15) How "good" are you at going with the flow on a scale of 1-10 (10 being EXTREMELY GOOD): 16) When you don't get your own way in something or are uncomfortable in a situation, you most usually (be honest and fill in the blank): 17) What most frustrates you in life at present? 18) What do you most enjoy about your life at present?
III. MEDICAL PROFILE: 1) Are you under the care of a physician or mental health care provider for any current condition that you feel might impact your own (or others) safety or wellbeing at this retreat? 1 a) If so, please explain briefly (Be sure to discuss participation in this retreat with your practitioner if/as warranted to assure your own wellbeing): 2)Are there any physical conditions, medications, or emotional issues (addictions, abuses, anxiety/depression disorders etc.) that you feel may compromise your healthy participation in this retreat or the welfare of others? 2 a) If so, please explain clearly and be sure to discuss and obtain agreement with me and with your health care practitioner to confirm your attendance. IV. PARTICIPANT RELEASE AGREEMENT: This information has been sent electronically to you as part of your retreat enrollment process. Completing and returning this form to Ronda LaRue constitutes your having read, understood, and accepted retreat participation policies and disclosures in this pak as well as posted at www.ojaisoularts.com, and that you verify the accuracy of the profile information you have sent me. If you find that you are not willing to agree and assume your own self-responsibility per this release and policies posted at www.ojaisoularts.com, then please contact immediately to cancel your retreat and to receive your refund per cancellation policy and you will not be enrolled in this retreat. * TRIP INSURANCE - For those who would like to insure your retreat trip in the event of an unexpected need to cancel or reschedule, I am told this online site has been well received (though best to do your own due diligence or ask around) insuremytrip.com (I have also had Access America and Travel Guard recommended but no personal experience or connection with them.) SUMITTAL OPTIONS: 1. EMAIL: (Cut/Copy THIS ENTIRE PAGE into Word.doc or directly into your Email program and Email to Ronda) OR... 2. Snail Mail or Fax: Ronda LaRue; OjaiSoulArts 703 Tico Rd; Ojai, CA 93023 FAX:805-640-9989
HOME PREP: WRITING YOUR LIFE BIO (2-3 Page MAXIMUM If you write more, please experience the process of honing it down to no more than 3 pages) Writing Your Life Biography Prep Exercise If you ve not already done this with me, please write a 2-3 page (no longer no matter what!) life bio including a final paragraph on what is most stirring in your life at this time and calls you to this inner work. When you ve completed your life bio, please email it to me along with a recent photo (if you have a jpg you can send). You can do this exercise anytime separate from this form and prior to your retreat. This life bio exercise not only helps attune me to you and the energy around our work together, but (more importantly) it starts to kindle the transformational fire by shaking loose things from your past and things in your present that want to come up at this time in order to make way for new clarity and deeper possibility to arise. Your life bio is completely confidential and won t be shared or used in any way other than for our sacred work together. Your depth of personal honesty and insight will be most helpful to facilitating the depth our work together can quickly go. Please take your time with this exercise. Allow yourself to observe what comes up for you in the process of writing it This is more about observing the process then the product. So just dive into the process of seeing what you have to say in the writing of your life up to this time in 2-3 pages! When you have completed this PREP exercise, email it to me with a jpg photo of yourself (helps me put a name to your face!) And especially for those of you who have several months until your scheduled retreat, please let the process you have started, become supported and turbo charged by reading and reflecting on any books or articles you find at my rondalarue.com website. Feel free to email me and ask for specific recommendations along the lines of your current sense of inquiry or need. Welcome to the artful process of breaking through to being wholly (holey and holy) YOU! You re on a noble inner opening adventure
Additional References 1) Private Retreat Information On Web: http://www.ojaisoularts.com/privateretreat.shtml 2) Retreat FAQ Page Q/A: Cancellation Policy: Info re: airports and shuttle/taxi/rental services to/from Center for SoulArts in Ojai, California http://www.ojaisoularts.com/retreat- FAQ.shtml 3) My Teachings (Video, Audio and Articles): See www.rondalarue.com website 4) Page for Making Payment: http://www.ojaisoularts.com/privateretreatregform.shtml SEE YOU SOON!