Gathering of the Peacemakers 2008

The Gathering of the Peacemakers 2008 Boone North Carolina



Sarah and I packed up our Tipi and headed out the door around 10:30 am Sunday morning August 5, 2008. We left a day early so as to take our time getting into the weeklong event that Robert and Julia Roskind had organized more than a year earlier. The advertisements, subject matter and publicity surrounding this event made it very intriguing. We were excited to go from reading the first paragraph of the web back in February and now the day was upon us.
Neither Sarah nor I have been to a gathering of this length before nor has there been so many interesting topics available for us to really sink into. The drive down was enjoyable and smooth. We took a scenic route through the Blue Ridge parkway. We stopped to take a picture of the landscape and a surreal feeling engulfed me but I knew not what it was. So not paying attention to spirit we jumped back in our truck and started to drive slowly. Just then in front of our vehicle a black bear poked his nose out of the woods and stared right into the cab at Sarah and I. We both gasped and got very excited, we had just seen our first bear together! I looked up what the bear in the spirit world represents; it is a power animal and takes us to the very source of ‘nature in motion’ – the summer solstice-shamanism-the rhythm of drumming-sweat lodges and cleansing-as we meditate-initiate-and activate our DNA to uncover our lost wisdom and soul’s purpose. This was a true sign that we were heading into something powerful there was no doubt. I decided to listen closer when my body was telling me something and to thank the Great Spirit for sending us that messenger.
Upon arriving we were greeted by Robert and Julia and offered some fresh blueberries. We were briefed on how things worked around there and given bracelets that gave us full access to the meals, shows and events. We headed out to find where we wanted to set up camp and we found a nice quiet place just behind the main field to set out Tipi up.
Just to give you an overview how the days were to unfold; breakfast at 8 then a 9:30 fire circle, Tata Pedro Cruz would hold the sacred ceremonies while Danny Diaz the Native American flute player would serenade the spirits that surrounded the events, followed by morning workshops. Lunch at 12:30 followed by afternoon workshops. There was always time for an afternoon break; we liked to squeeze in quiet time in our Tipi. The energy especially at night around the fire was incredible, surrounded by so many similar minds we loved the short breaks from the gatherings were great time for reflection. Of course we would finish the meals out with a fantastic dinner. This of course rolled us into some fantastic music from many different artists live on the main stage.
The dining hall was a great place to mingle and sit with different people almost every meal! We all shared stories and passed on information about which instructor we liked and what we’ve learned. We talked about each other’s paths and also spoke a bit of our own talks that some of us organized within the community. This is where some of us put together what you are reading here. Some of you I have not yet been in contact with since the Gathering and this may be the first time you are hearing from us. Please take this opportunity to contact us and rejoin the community, we need you! It was real synergy a temporary place of Zion.
Roskind set it up so that we would have a different conscious band each and every night. The band would perform their hearts out from 8 to 10:30. Like Roberts said we didn’t pick the band the band picked themselves”. I was able to capture a few songs with my camera that I will post here to give you a flavor. After the show there was core classes, led by Roskind around the fire circle. This type of vibe continued from Monday evening till the following Sunday morning.
Each day a new experience and every moment growing closer to the tight knit conscious community of less than 125 people. This was Zion on earth. We all came for something, a closer glimpse perhaps at the real world, to get a better understanding of life and our place in it, what we can do to help this transformation occur or just a place to escape Babylon for only a short time.
Either way we came together focusing on our similarities not our differences. We all helped each other build a cohesive platform in time and space so as to helping each other open our minds eyes to truth.
For now this is the overview of the events. I have yet to get into the details of some of my favorite teachings and things that transpired. The pipe ceremony with Tata Pedro, the spirit breathe with Kevin Tincher, the communion and awakening with Sarah and Yes-I, the signals in the night sky and so much more to come!



I will save some for future blogs. But if you are reading this and you were there, please join this blog and type of few conscious words of thanks or recognition to what we all experienced so as to keep us united as we march on in our Babylonian existences only one day to meet again in Zion! Talk to you all soon, much love and respect, Pete and Sarah