May 30 – June1, 2025
with Diamond Approach Teachers:
Kara Vangen, Jim Lockridge, Kathleen Graham
The quality of Will is down to earth, grounded, solid and can bring more depth and subtlety to our inquiry which is felt in our physical body. Will provides the steadfast inner support to stay with our experience without rejecting or judging what we encounter on the inner journey.
This retreat is part of a series of teachings we are presenting on the qualities of our being known as the Lataif. The Lataif can be thought of as tools for our unfoldment; qualities that help us understand ourselves at our deepest nature. These are subtle qualities that include aspects such as strength, will and support, peace, courage, joy, and compassion.
Most of us spend our lives within a thin layer of reality, unaware of the deeper realms of our consciousness. What we call emotional reality—the layer where most people believe human richness lies—is onion-skin deep compared to the totality of reality. Beneath this thin layer of emotions and thoughts lie indescribable beauty and freedom. Many people wander in that onion-skin layer forever, but in the inquiry process, it’s a layer we need to go through and not get stuck in. To support us in this movement into and through our emotions, reactions, and beliefs, the White or Will Essence—plays an important role.
(A.H. Almaas, Spacecruiser Inquiry, p 285)
Retreat Structure
This is an ongoing retreat group in the initial stages of the Diamond Approach work called Midwest Group 4. We are meeting 4 weekends a year, with a mix of in-person and online retreats. As the group gets established, additional sessions will be added which will extend the retreat.
Weekend retreats will be composed of meditation, breath and movement practices, lectures, and self-reflection, exercises geared toward connecting with our True Nature and facilitating the unfoldment of our souls.
Schedule: Friday evening thru Sunday at noon.
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- Friday 7-9:30PM,
- Saturday 9:00AM-8:30P
- Sunday 9:00AM-12:00PM.
At 6 PM on Friday there is an introduction to the retreat for new people and anyone interested in reviewing the retreat format and practices at 6 pm on Friday.
For those interested in the Diamond Approach, this is a great opportunity to check out a Diamond Approach retreat with an open and ongoing group.
For in -person retreats we recommend that you make every effort to attend in person. In-person retreats are held at the Christine Center in Willard, WI. The Christine Center offers a serene, natural environment that enhances and supports inner exploration and integration. A zoom option is available and reserved for those with particular situations that make in person attendance impossible. If you have any questions please contact the teachers at DiamondApproachMidwest@gmail.com.
“If there’s anyone else you know who’s under 40 and on the fence about checking out the DA, here’s the link to the youth scholarship fund: https://dayouthfund.org/. It can be for the first retreat, either online or residential in-person and can also cover child care costs!”
This retreat is a vital part of our exploration into the five Lataif; a group of essential aspects that not only enrich our lives but help us build the capacity for spiritual deepening in all aspects of our development.
More Information about Midwest 4 Diamond Approach Retreats
The Diamond Approach is the core teaching of the Ridhwan School (www.diamondapproach.org) and has been in existence since 1977. The method has become well known through the many books published by A.H. Almaas and the multiple opportunities currently to participate in Diamond Approach retreats throughout the world.
The Diamond Approach path, DA Upper Midwest Group 1, was first introduced at the Christine Center in 1996 by Sr. Johanna Suebert. Since then Groups 2 and 3 were also formed. This new group, DA UMW Group 4, is an open group, accepting new students for the next few years. The current teachers have been active members of the school and the DA UMW Group 1 since 1996, were ordained in 2016-2017 and live and practice in various places in the Midwest.
All Inclusive Retreat Pricing Options
Listed pricing includes all housing, meals, and program fee
Please contact our main office to make your reservation for any of the following (715-267-7507 or welcome@christinecenter.org):
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- To reduce the number of meals you would like
- If you need to make special arrangements
- If you would like to reserve pet friendly accommodations
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Modern Hermitage: One room cottage with anywhere from 1 to 3 beds; living area; kitchenette; bathroom and shower.
Cabin Bedroom: A private bedroom with 1 to 2 beds located on the property in a shared cabin; shared kitchenette; shared bathroom and shower.
Guest Room-Main Building: A private bedroom with 2 beds and private bathroom located in the main building.
Rustic Hermitage: One room cottage with anywhere from 1 to 2 beds; living area. No bathroom or kitchenette. Modern bath and shower facilities are located on the property.
Meet the Teachers
Kara Vangen, MSW, CHTP, she/hers
Diamond Approach Teacher
Kara is passionate about doing the, “deep inner work” required to show up authentically in life and community and believes that our value and happiness as human beings arises from our ability to illuminate our inner life. She has been a member of the Ridhwan school for 25 years and is an ordained Diamond Approach teacher.
Kara’s professional experience includes front line work as a social worker in community mental health and as a Mental Health Therapist where she combines traditional and complimentary health practices to address mental health. She is co-director of the Cauldron Studies program which centers spiritual practice in both the study of culture and the sacred feminine. She has been teaching and working with others for over 20 years.
Jim Lockridge
Diamond Approach Teacher
Jim Lockridge is an ordained teacher of the Diamond Approach where he has been a student since 1998 and began working with students in 2012. He is a lifelong investigator of both the physical and spiritual worlds. Jim began his spiritual quest at age 14 when he first discovered Catholicism and soon became an altar boy. He was a research scientist for 40 years, an auto-mechanic, a floor waxer, army reservist, meditator, school bus driver, gardener, high-school summer teacher, father of 2 daughters, grandfather and lately, an expert popsicle developer. He currently lives in St. Paul with his lovely wife, Stephanie. Jim is passionate about teaching others how to investigate and reveal the truth of who they are.
Kathleen Graham, RN, MS, she/her
Diamond Approach Teacher
As a student of the Diamond Approach since 1996 and teacher of the Diamond Approach since 2016, I work with individual students and I am part of the teaching team for Midwest DA group 4. My career, prior to being a Diamond Approach teacher, was in Oncology as an advanced practice nurse. From the earliest days of attending Diamond Approach retreats I have been so impacted by the open hearted sensitivity of my teachers inviting all inner places that felt so untouchable. As a teacher, I bring this love and passion, and kind holding for every unfolding and deepening truth. I enjoy life itself very much, spending time in nature, hiking, swimming, intrepid world travel, and especially, spending time with my partner and family of the heart.
2025 Retreat Dates and Venue
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February 21-23 (online)
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May 30 – June 1 (in-person)
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September 19-21 (in-person)
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December 5-7 (online)
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