2003 Circle of Healers Retreat
The third Circle of Healers was a blast! This national medical student retreat was held in northern California the weekend of January 17-19, 2003.
The Circle of Healers is a group of loving, creative, passionate, healing souls who wish to connect with themselves, one another, and the diverse community of medicine. The weekend was inspired with activity, heartfelt conversation, meditation, healthy lifestyle practices, music, bonfires, and powerful friendships. During the retreat, students learned about alternative modalities and humanistic approaches to patient interactions and met physicians who have integrated these into their practice.
Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, a past HuMed coordinator, originated the national medical student retreat, and it was revived two years ago as the Circle of Healers. Participants at the 2001 and 2002 retreats have maintained meaningful friendships, connected with holistic colleagues at numerous conventions and workshops, and gone on to hold national AMSA and HuMed positions. The current President, Vice-president, and Director of Student Programming of AMSA have each nurtured their warm and fuzzy sides at a national retreat.
AMSA has always found community, voice, and passion for the student. The 2003 Circle of Healers was organized entirely by students, and participants were encouraged to carry the retreat experience home to their communities. Immediately following the retreat, there was a day of leadership training for students who were interested in planning regional and local medical student retreats.
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Big RedwoodsThere are many legends about redwoods. Some tell about redwoods powers, some about their knowledge. But legends are nothing compare to experience. You stand next to the redwood and deep inside you feel peace and quietness. These trees have been here for a very long time, and if you listen attentively enough they may share their stories with you. |
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LabyrinthIf you get up early in the morning you have a chance to grasp the rising sun shining through the redwoods on the labyrinth. Step in, don’t rush; eventually you will reach the center, … of yourself. |
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YogaIf you prefer morning yoga to a walk at the labyrinth you may come and join people who can do this!!! But since for some of us who are not this!!! flexible it may look somewhat scary, we promise we will do very basic postures, unless of course you want us to do this!!! |
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The WizardWouldn’t you agree that word retreat conveys some mystery? And, of course, the Wizard can explain any mystery to us. Our Wizard explained to us how talking and listening can bring the healing to a patient. You also wonder what is that stuff in the middle of the room. Those are our sacred objects that we have been asked to bring to the retreats. If you look closely at the picture you will notice guitar, joggling balls, dairy. Each one of us is a unique human being who shared a part of his/her soul with the rest of the circle. |
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The Redwood CircleThe circle of healers, so many stories to share, fears to express, advises to ask our mentors. Surrounded by the redwoods standing tall and quiet as a witnesses to our pains and happiness. |
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The DinnerAnd now is the time for the dinner. All of us shared cooking, dish washing, and cleaning. Working and eating together is another way to get to know each other. Of course we had the best food. |
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The Angel WashMost of us agreed the Angel Wash was the most powerful experience of the retreat. Here is what one of us wrote after the retreat, "I think the most powerful experience for me was the angel walk. It is so beautiful to be surrounded by such love and positivity; an experience I never had before. So many emotions bubbled to the surface and I started to cry; I will need to further reflect on the experience in the future to more fully understand it." |
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All together now…Here we are, friends, brothers and sisters, the community of healers, all together. Love and desire to heal the world written on every face. |