Namaste and Welcome

The theme for the 2026 The Great Lakes Retreat is:

Creating Stability Through Thransformation

When creating the cover design for this year’s theme, “Creating Stability through Transformation,” we selected imagery and spiritual representations to visually reflect the theme. These elements are detailed below:

The Frog (Emblem of Transformation)  The frog is the quintessential emblem of transformation. Just as it undergoes a profound metamorphosis from tadpole to adult, it represents personal change and growth. It encourages us to embrace change, adapt to new circumstances, and accept the cycles of life.

Rock Cairns (Symbolizing Balance and Guidance)  Rock cairns hold deep spiritual meanings across cultures, symbolizing balance, guidance, memory, and connection to nature. They are used to mark trails, symbolizing faith in the road ahead and confirming that one is on the right path. They are also used to mark spiritual milestones, honor ancestors, and acknowledge sacred sites. In practice, they can function as a spiritual altar for prayers and gratitude, or be used in meditation for grounding and mental discipline through the focused act of stacking the stones.

Violet-Blue Color (Deep Intuition and Insight)  The spiritual meaning of violet-blue blends the calmness of blue with the mystery of violet. This color combination represents deep intuition, creativity, spiritual insight, and connection to higher consciousness. It acts as a bridge between the physical and divine worlds for enlightenment, imagination, and a balance between action and contemplation, encouraging introspection and spiritual growth.

We are very excited about this year’s program, and hope you will be able to join us. The Great Lakes Retreat has been meeting every summer or over 30 years. Each year our goal is to offer a high quality, week-long program for a reasonable price. Hope to see you there.