I am sitting in my favorite coffee house, in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, not far from my apartment.  I come here to write, read, people watch and get my daily cup of coffee.  It’s a great place for me to write as I often get inspired on things I want to say and share with the world.  I am sure if I had the motivation to write a screen play, I could find all my sources and characters here.

There is one observation that I’ve noticed everyday that for a while now has frustrated me.  It is our growing disconnect from each other due to our electronic gadgets and fast paced lives.  You would think that with our lap top computers, cell phones, I-Phones, IPods and more that we would be able to communicate better, but in fact we are only passively involved with each other.  More and more of us are consumed by our gadgets and not living in the now.  As I ask people when I lecture all over the country, please turn off your cell phones and actually have a conversation with someone.  You will be amazed at what you will hear and understand.  If you think I may be wrong, take a walk next time in your local supermarket or store.  Better yet, check out the glowing lights coming from the cell phones in a movie theater before the previews begin.  The company people often have with them will often play second fiddle while the call is being taken or that last text message needs to be made.

There is a group I recently discovered that harmonizes the energies between the gay and straight community, in the Chicagoland area, through retreats, workshops and events.   Twin Spirit Tribe focuses on camaraderie (building healthy friendships within the community), Ceremony (ceremonies that promote self healing), and Service (giving back to the community).  This is the perfect outlet for so many of that need to reconnect, communicate and build friendships.  All of this accomplished without the aid of our electronic gadgets.

Twin Spirit Tribe began with a vision that Co-Founder Elias Patras experienced while taking part in an apprenticeship program in Shamanic Studies with Rainbow Journeys, LLC, founded by Susan Lipshutz, LCSW and Dr. Tom Voitas. The program not only allowed Elias to come to understand the teachings of indigenous tribes but also to learn more about his own personal healing and how this could help other gay people on their own journeys towards empowerment. It was very apparent to Elias that this perspective could make a difference in the gay community and find common threads within the straight community.

Twin Spirit Tribe’s quest is to fully connect all parts of our personal, individual identity – our body, mind, and soul. However, just as powerful is their desire to connect with others. Twin Spirit Tribe gives unique opportunities to achieve both goals. They feel that if we can focus on our hearts and see one another as a support system, a teacher, and a mirror for our journey through life, we can then learn extensively from one another.  They believe that our gay community can be a strong, healthy and vital if we have an increased connection with our core.  If we respect ourselves, we can then respect each other and become this ideal.

 

The goal of this group is to continue to connect our communities to a way of tapping into their own inner strength and beauty and letting go of old patterns which no longer serve us.
As we need to communicate and connect with each other, Twin Spirit Tribe offers retreats, events and workshops.  There is always something new and wonderful happening.  The retreats are designed to open the mind, expand the heart and broaden the spirit.  The retreat weekends are an intimate non-sexual weekend and they ask that everyone refrains from drinking and recreational drugs. The friendships that everyone makes and the time that is shared are sacred. The weekends are not intended to be a weekend of sexuality, but a weekend of Spirituality.

It is so important for the LGBTQ communities to come together and share our stories, treat ourselves healthy and continue to grow as a positive community.  At times we feel so detached from ourselves and the community that we need an outlet to bring us back together…to feel at peace.  I am hoping you will look at the Twin Spirit Tribe website and take time to nourish your soul.   The Twin Spirit Tribe website can be found at:  http://www.twinspirittribe.com