Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones: Opportunities for Growth
Dates: January 3–5, 2025
Facilitated by: Bill Miller
Join us for a transformative weekend retreat with our longtime friend and facilitator, Bill Miller. As he navigates his own journey with terminal cancer, Bill generously shares his insights into embracing life’s challenges and turning them into opportunities for growth and enlightenment. Inspired by the wisdom of spiritual teachers like Richard Rohr, Thich Nhat Hanh, Brené Brown, Thomas Merton, and David Steindl-Rast, this retreat offers deep reflection and meaningful conversations about life’s purpose, the role of spirituality, and the understanding that who we are is not defined by our experience.
Through guided discussions, we’ll delve into how difficult experiences can lead to a fuller, happier life. You’ll have the opportunity to share your own stories and learn from others in a supportive and compassionate environment. We’ll practice simple, adaptable yoga routines that blend breath with movement—suitable for all abilities—and discover how different breathing techniques can influence your mind and mood.
We’ll also learn basic meditation techniques to clear the mind and reassess past stumbling blocks. Embracing the yoga principle of pratipaksha bhavanam, we’ll explore ways to reframe negative situations into positive growth experiences, much like cognitive reframing. By looking at things differently, we can realize that we aren’t defined by our past perceptions, allowing us to change our story and, in the process, change our life.
Between sessions, feel free to enjoy the peaceful trails, read, browse the bookstore, or simply take a restorative nap. This retreat invites you to engage in meaningful conversations, embrace personal growth, and find spiritual enrichment within a welcoming community.
This retreat is for anyone seeking personal growth, spiritual deepening, or a supportive community. No prior experience in yoga or meditation is necessary—all are encouraged to join us on this journey of transformation.
Bill’s Story: You Are Not Your Diagnosis
The above title is a quote from Gary Kraftsow that I wrote in the margin of my notes from yoga teacher training I took with him several years ago. Little did I know at the time how meaningful that would be for me when I was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage IV. I was told that I had two years to live. I had an expiration date. That wasn’t so bad. After all, I had a much better idea of when and how I would die. I’ve lived beyond my estimated expiration date, for how much longer is anyone’s guess.
In the midst of all of this, Valerie called from the Christine Center and asked if there was a program I wanted to offer. She said my experience and process were “powerful.” I don’t think so. It’s just another stumbling block in my life, a chance to “fall upward,” as Fr. Richard Rohr would say. She was referring to “realization space” that emerges when approaching end of life and the experience of what has true meaning.
My diagnosis has not defined me. I don’t see myself as a cancer victim. I am definitely not going to be a survivor and I don’t “fight it,” as some suggest that I do. I just keep working on trying to be a better person. I do see little things that I had not noticed before. I see more clearly how inconsequential some of my anger and fear has been. It could be said that I live each day with more of a realization that it might be my last. I should have been living my life that way all along. I’m a slow learner! I’m no expert on this whole process of life and death. I do have a little experience with turning stumbling blocks into opportunities for growth.
I would like to pass on what I know to others and a retreat offers an opportunity for me to learn from others. We can all learn from each other.
Bill Miller is an RYT 500 certified Viniyoga Teacher. Bill has also received certification in yoga for low back care and yoga for P.T.S.D. diagnosed veterans. Bill has completed yoga anatomy training with Leslie Kaminoff. Bill was involved in fitness evaluations and training for police officers for over twenty years. He received training in fitness testing and exercise prescriptions from the Cooper Institute in Dallas.