Rest for Revolution; Find yourself at Chautauqua

A friend once told me, “I believe everyone on the planet should have one day a week to do whatever they want.” I think they said this because they know I work way too much. I chose journalism as a career, which means I work. A lot.

Yesterday, I decided to take their advice and go for a walk through Sandstone Ranch. It was great to get out in the sunshine, and it made me grateful for the treasures right in my backyard.

One of those treasures is Chautauqua. But Chautauqua is more than just the Dining Hall, the Auditorium, and the Flatiron’s Loop hike. (All pretty great things.) Recently, I managed to take yet another rare day off with a weekend stay in one of the cottages — which, by the way, have no TVs. But who needs a TV when you’re staying at Chautauqua?

While I wish I could have stayed longer in that adorable cottage, it was a perfect mini-staycation. And it reminded me that I don’t always have to get on a plane to get away. I can drive just 17 miles from Erie and find a retreat that people from all over the country fly in to see.

Today, I joined a faith-based group that is organizing to protect the rights of all. As part of our gathering, we did a community exercise where we moved around the room without speaking — first quickly, then slowly — until we stopped and faced the person in front of us. While there was some awkwardness in staring into a stranger’s face, as the host narrated the purpose behind the exercise, I could see everyone not only connecting to the message but also to each other.

The United States is not in good health right now, and the future of democracy looks increasingly uncertain. But being in this room with others, many of whom have a different take on faith than I do, was deeply moving. Connecting in this way reminded me of something important:

Right now, more than ever, we need connection. Humanity is not lost among America’s citizens. It’s under siege. But as humans, we do, in fact, need each other. We are more than data points.

The Colorado Chautauqua is hosting its All-Inclusive Women’s Retreat. The first one scheduled for 2025 is April 10th-13th. If you hurry, you can get a spot reserved. They do take the time to talk with you before signing up so you can feel confident about the experience before committing.

I have to admit, when I first heard about it, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

It’s only as I’ve gotten older that I’ve truly come to understand the power of sisterhood. As a younger woman, maybe I lacked the maturity to see it, but now, I know that my female friendships have been my anchor, carrying me through even the hardest times.

They’ve been hosting this retreat three times a year for the past four years, and it’s now selling out regularly. The groups are intentionally small, just 18 women per retreat, and guests have ranged from their early twenties to their eighties.

While it takes a bit of bravery to commit to a three-day weekend retreat, the staff at Colorado Chautauqua Association work hard to ensure everyone feels comfortable with their decision, even before purchasing a ticket.

I spoke with Liz Purvis and Rohini Grace to learn more about this experience. While I was a skeptic at first, I now hope to gift myself this special opportunity.

I could hear the passion in Rohini’s voice as we spoke over the phone. They described a place where women can reconnect with themselves — beyond the roles of mother, wife, or professional. A space where they can remember who they are outside of life’s daily demands.

But what they were most excited to share was the curriculum. They carefully design experiences that take women out of their everyday routines, offering opportunities we rarely get in our normal workspaces.

The retreat includes yoga, nature walks, forest bathing, a fully customized menu tailored to each woman’s needs (without having to do the dishes!), a concert, and an inspirational talk. All activities are curated for spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. But everything is optional. If you’d rather curl up under a tree with a book, you can.

The goal is simple: to create a safe space where women can nurture themselves, reconnect with nature, and truly experience it, something we in Boulder County often live close to, play in, and marvel at, yet sometimes forget to pause and embrace.

I spoke with Lori Harrison, a three-time returning retreat participant. Her first time attending was a gift from a friend, and she wasn’t sure what she hoped to gain from the experience. But since that first retreat, she has returned twice more and, in the process, she has built a circle of friends she now considers her rock.

These friendships were formed at the Women’s Retreat, but what truly came out of it was the deep bonding and connection that extended far beyond the weekend itself.

“Having the freedom to let go of all of that and just remember who we are — without our job title, without our partner, without our kids. There’s a part of us that is more than those things.”

While participants have the choice to bunk solo or stay in the larger shared cabin, she highly recommended the latter, or at least staying with a buddy. Letting go in this way can bring moments of vulnerability, and having a friend nearby can offer support through those experiences.

What got Lori the most excited was talking about the Mala beads they each create. Mala Beads per The Monestary Store, are described as; From the Sanskrit “heavenly garland,” malas are used in Buddhism to count repetitions of mantras—short sacred phrases—or prostrations. Traditional malas have beads crafted from seeds, gemstones, or wood, and are often finished with an additional “guru” bead and a special knot and/or tassel. The size of our beads and the length of the string varies to accommodate different practitioners. Full malas have 108 beads; most wrist malas have 21 beads, but it can vary.” She lit up as she described crafting the Mala Beads — at first struggling to make it, but eventually laughing it off and realizing it all came together once she let go of the outcome.

Rohini summed it up perfectly: “It is so beautiful to watch strangers come together and leave as sisters.”

Fortunately, Chautauqua isn’t reserved solely for women. They offer corporate retreats, family retreats, and any gathering where people want to come together to create community. It’s a perfect destination for both locals and visitors alike.

https://www.chautauqua.com/chautauqua-womens-retreat

https://www.chautauqua.com/group-retreats

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