There is a central quality which is the root criterion of life and spirit in a [person], a town, a building or a wilderness... The search we make for this quality, in our own lives, is the central search of any person, and the crux of any individual person's story. It is the search for those moments and situations when we are most alive. — Christopher Alexander

When Black Elk, a Lakota tribal leader, looked back as an elder on the "happiness and sorrow" of his dramatic life, he referred to his view as from "this high hill of my old age." This program is an opportunity to reflect on our life's journey from atop such a high hill, survey the distances of our lives from every direction, and craft an Odyssey that we might share what we have experienced.

Each life is special and interesting. Each of us, if we so choose, might mine the history our life, rediscovering the story of our personal journey in order to better learn what life has to teach us. This resource provides a process for exploring and writing your life's journey, your Odyssey. It provides a guide for two facilitated weekend retreats for a group of six to ten people, one before the Odyssey-writing begins and the other for Odyssey preparation. It also provides a participant handbook—a guide for collecting memories, selecting what is important, writing and presenting an Odyssey, and reflecting after the presentation. It offers suggestions for congregational recognition and for continued engagement with those who wish to examine the far reaches of a lifetime, and in so doing, find more of its meaning.

Goals

This resource will:

Provide a process to help participants mine the history, stories, and wisdom from their life experiences and journey
Provide activities to build a covenanted group to support each participant's Odyssey preparation and presentation
Offer guidance for Odyssey preparation and presentation
Suggest ways for individual participants to extend the experience
Suggest ways for congregations to mark this passage in the lives of elders.

In This Section

Getting Started
From From the High Hill

From the High Hill is a guide to personal journey in a group setting....
Participants
From From the High Hill

Size of the Group The group should comprise six to ten participants—eight is ideal—not including the facilitator. A group of this size is large enough...
Facilitators
From From the High Hill

Why have a facilitator who is not a group participant? There are many good reasons, but the very best one is that it is extremely difficult to be a...
Publicizing the Program and Forming a Group
From From the High Hill

Identify and approach potential participants, explaining the program and inviting them to take part. Be inventive, using words and/or pictures you think...
Finding a Location
From From the High Hill

Retreat centers have distinct advantages for this program. Meals and refreshments are provided for you; dishes and clean-up are taken care of; meeting...
Supplies
From From the High Hill

Here are supplies you will need for the retreat weekends: Centering table with chalice, candle and matches (if desired, and allowed at the site) or an L...
Registration Confirmation Information
From From the High Hill

Once a participant has registered, they should receive a warm welcome letter with written confirmation and details about participation in the program.