May 10, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm PDT
Can we bring God into our friendships? What does it mean to offer and receive spiritual support in our relationships?
In this day-long experiential retreat, we will explore how to attract and nurture relationships—friendships, partnerships, and community connections—that are rooted in the shared search for divine truth. Together, we will delve into what it means to give and receive love that uplifts the spirit and supports personal growth on the spiritual path.
Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda, this retreat offers practical insights into the deep connection between human love and Self-realization. Through guided practices, reflection, and heartfelt discussion, discover how to cultivate relationships that help you awaken to your highest potential.
10:00 opening circle, hatha yoga and pranayam, brief meditation
11:00 sharing, discussion, activities
12:00 meditation
12:30 lunch
activity:music/chanting*, improv/games for fun interaction and relating, listening exercise/storytelling listening,
Swami or Master audio/video share
walking/meditation, affirmation walk, journaling
3:30 closing circle/discussion
Meet the Teachers
Badri and Gita Matlock are Lightbearer ministers at Ananda Portland, where Badri also serves as co-Spiritual Director. They are dedicated to living the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and building a dynamic spiritual community. Together with their children Tulsi and Jay, they call Ananda Portland home.
| Date | Rescheduled to May 10, 2025 at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Cost | $105 |
| Location | Heart Song Hermitage near Lake Stevens |
Gita Matlock
Badri Matlock
Friendship
Is friendship the weaving of the red strings of two hearts?
Is it the blending of two minds into a spacious one-mind?
Is it the spouting of love founts together-
To strengthen the rush of love on droughty souls?
Is it the one rose grown ‘twixt twin mind-branchlets
Of one compassionate stem?
Is it the one thinking in two bodies?
Or, is it like two strong stallions,
Disparate in color and mien,
Pulling the chariot of life together
To the single goal with one mind sight?
Is friendship founded on equalities or inequalities?
Is it built on diverse stones of differences?
Is friendship the unthinkingly agreeing,
The hand in hand, blind walking of two souls,
Foolishly rejoicing in their united folly,
Falling at last into a pit of disillusionment
Friendship is noble, fruitful, holy.
When two separate souls march in difference
Yet in harmony, agreeing and disagreeing,
Glowingly improving diversely,
With one common longing to find solace in true pleasure.
When ne’er the lover seeks
Self-comfort at cost of the one beloved,
Then, in that garden of selflessness
Fragrant friendship perfectly flowers.
For friendship is a hybrid, born of two souls,
The blended fragrance of two unlike flowers
Blown together in love’s caressing breeze.
Friendship is born from the very core
Of secret inexplicable likings, Friendship is the fountain of true feelings
Friendship grows in both likeness and difference.
Friendship sleeps or dies in familiarity,
And decays in lusts of narrow-eyed selves.
Friendship grows tall and sturdy
In the soil of oneness in body, mind, and soul.
Demands, deceptions, sordid sense of possession,
Courtesy’s lack, narrow self-love, suspicion,
These are cankers which eat at the heart of friendship,
Ah, friendship! Flowering, heaven-born plant!
Nurtured art thou in the soil of measureless love,
In the seeking of soul-progress together
By two who would smooth the way each for the other.
And thou art watered by attention of affection
And the tender dews of inner and outer sweetness
Of the inmost, selfless heart’s devotion,
Ah, friendship! Where thy soul-born flowers fall –
There, on that sacred shrine of fragrance,
The Friend of all friends craves to come and remain!