The Story
Cohado® Experiences
Cohado® offers experiences that bring teams together, or individuals desiring an adventure in connecting and bridging across differences through our similarities.
This is a sharing of one such experience by individuals who participated. Some knew each other, some didn't, and no one knew everyone.
Spirit Mountain Retreat
A broadly diverse group of ecosystem-builders and change agents gathered at a sustainable village in the Los Padres National Forest to utilize the Cohado® Jumpstart process to explore the variety of perspectives to identify potential synergies and collaborative possibilities within the group. They determined that all needed a safe space to explore ideas and provide mutual support for the difficult and often under-appreciated work of ecosystem building. What resulted was the creation of "The Well". A commitment to bring the resources of the group to bare on projects of the individual members and the opportunity to unite on initiatives the members could engage capitalizing on the incredible well of resources and skills of the membership. the story that emerged will be told through the eyes of the members.
Spirit Sanctuary
In 2001 Betty Seaman and her husband Tautahcho Muhuawit, a Chumash elder from adjacent lands, located a stunning 160 acre property nestled in the Los Padres National Forest and sunk every penny they had into purchasing the land and moved their family into a large tent. Betty, an artist and creator, and Tatacho, a maker and land smith, learned the art of cob building and over the intervening years created numerous exquisite dwellings and buildings using the earth and wood from the land, and reclaimed wood pallets and other sustainable materials.
They dubbed the compound Spirit Pine Sanctuary.
Over the years they have hosted countless individuals - some for short stays, and others for years. They have conducted and partnered in education programming with a particular focus on sustainable living and providing an empowering ecosystem for people to build skills and knowledge, particularly women. Collaboration has been at the core of the creation of Spirit Pine as has living off the grid to the degree possible using out houses, solar arrays, aqueducts and composting to shape a regenerative existence.
One month prior to the retreat, the fires that raged in this area devastated the forests surrounding Spirit Pine. With sustainable proactive practices, blessings from the spirits, hard work from the family, firefighters, and others the dwellings and animals of Spirit Pine were unscathed, although the water systems needed to be rebuilt. There is still much work to do in partnership with nature to restore the lands, Spirit Pine Sanctuary remains a stunning working model of sustainable off-the-grid living.
Spirit Sanctuary
Adam's Reflections
Inspiring, grounding, and expansive. It reconnected me not only with my inner power and insight, but with the power and insight of the group. It helped me realize that everything we can dream of is possible through consistency, grounding into our essence, and connection.
I felt supported by amazing people in working in my dreams, expanding the scope within which I worked. This provided me with inspiration and creativity where before I felt Isolation. I have been able to build out the ecosystem of services to support social innovators with a sense of abundance and excitement instead of lack and urgency.
It was a reconnection to what is possible, and planted seeds that are starting to sprout in ways that I couldn't have imagined before.
Reflections
Unifying. Other worldly. Perfect game to experience what the new world will feel like. Beginning now we enter the sacred circle and live a life of purpose, connection and compassion.
Learn about the game Cohado and how it transforms our lives. Grew up playing dominoes with my father and his friends. This is different. One of the reasons why I no longer play dominoes is the concept of one winner and many losers. It is great to play a game where we can all win because we are learning and growing with ancient principles and concepts.
Jen's Reflections
Experiences like this are one of my favorite things in life - adventure, new experiences, being immersed in nature and breathtaking landscapes. I also believe deeply in the work that Paulo and Alfredo are doing.
The experience was: Transformative. Soul filling. Nourishing. Heart and mind expanding. Authentic, honest. Deeply connective with all who attended.
My view of myself, and my heart and mind expanded. My trust of my intuition and my connection with nature became stronger. Friendships developed. It inspired me to go to SCN in Oakland, because of the personal connections that were formed at spirit pine, which lead to many new connections and understandings. This was truly a treasured experience.
This experience of being in a stunning natural landscape with a group of people connecting with each other in authenticity, trust, care, and honesty, is truly transformative. I’m honored to have had this experience. I wish for everyone to have an experience like this, the healing that is possible in a space like this is deeply transformative for one’s understand of themselves, and therefore how they relate to others and the world around them. Anyone going into this experience with openness, a sense of adventure, and courage can enter into something truly magical.
