The 2007 annual Gathering will take place February 16-17, 2007 in the primal beauty of the Central California Coast in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. This year’s Gathering will explore “crossing the great water – to your soul” in the spectacular natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, nearby Point Lobos and Big Sur at the edge of dramatic cliffs and the ebb and flow of the glistening Pacific.

This Gathering will provide for a deep personal exploration of your life voyage. You will explore what you thirst for and/or what thirsts for you – what keeps you flowing, being in and allowing yourself to be supported by the water. You will also examine what it is to be adrift, and why it is important to take time to find safe harbor in order to re-create yourself. The Gathering will offer an intimate, probing experience combined with opportunities for contemplation and solitude in the remarkable natural beauty within close proximity of the Gathering site. Music will be woven throughout the experience as the extraordinary Paul Warner, creator of the Symphony for Humanity, will grace the pulsating flow of Gathering events.

The location of the Gathering will once again be the affordable and quaint Hofsas House in the heart of Carmel (1-800-221-2548). Make your reservations soon, as there is no guarantee rooms will be available in January. When you call for reservations, make sure you request the Gathering rate of $95/night, with a queen size bed (other accommodations with kitchenettes, larger rooms, and ocean views are also available). Continental breakfasts, lunch each day, and dinner our first night is provided in the registration fee of $295.

The village of Carmel possesses one of the most remarkable collections of paintings in the world, with over 120 galleries. It is a mecca of great art, and in keeping with this tradition, the charming Carmel Art Association will host one of our sessions, offering you the opportunity to stroll through the gallery and take in the best from this prolific artist’s community. The Hofsas House is only two blocks from the Carmel Art Association gallery and a short walk to the ocean and the Pebble Beach Golf Course. A special feature of the Gathering will be dinner at Barry and Kipra’s home in Pebble Beach. Noble Purpose colleague and cook extraordinaire, Anne Hayden Martin, will oversee a remarkable Italian feast on Friday night.

If you have not attended previous Gatherings or visited this part of the country, know that Carmel is nestled between rugged cliffs, densely wooded, Monterey Pines, and the dramatic Pacific on the whitest, most pristine beach in CA. Expect high temperatures to be in the low 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Bring a lightweight jacket and/or sweater and walking shoes suitable for exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

A special meeting for Noble Purpose Learning Facilitators and Team Spirit Associates will take place on the 15th 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Hofsas meeting room. Jennifer Cash O’Donnell will discuss the business realities of our work, providing the “State of the Spirit” message on the 17th, describing our important work with our key client, the United Centers for Spiritual Living. For those who can stay through Sunday, a feature of this year’s event will be a visit to the incredible Monterey Aquarium, 10 am till noon. Optionally you can choose to explore the extraordinary beauty of the Big Sur coast, including breakfast at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn, Sunday morning, returning to Carmel shortly after noon.

You can fly into San Francisco (2 hours away), San Jose (1 and 1⁄4 hours away), or Monterey (10 minutes away). Contact the Monterey/Salinas Airbus for van service from either the San Francisco or San Jose airports to Monterey (fees of $30-35, one way) 831-373-7777. Taxi service is only minutes away from the Hofsas House if you fly into Monterey. For more information about the area go to: http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/, http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/, http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/.

To register click here.