Begin 2018 in a powerful way by joining us in happy, healthy, and beautiful San Luis Obispo for a vegan retreat weekend, happening Friday, January 12 through Sunday, January 14. We are honored to have the incomparable Will and Madeleine Tuttle come to San Luis Obispo, and you are invited to join us!

The World Peace Diet author Dr. Will Tuttle shares his insights on veganism and leads a special workshop to develop our intuition, followed by an intention-setting ritual led by our own Sustainable Activism Campaign Director Lisa Levinson. The weekend closes with an opportunity to volunteer for local animal sanctuaries. See detailed descriptions for each activity below.

What: The Spirit of Vegan Retreat

When:

• Lecture and Concert with Dr. Will Tuttle on Friday, January 12, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Honoring Your Intuition Workshop with Dr. Will Tuttle on Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Intention-Setting Ceremony to Honor and Bless All Animals with Lisa Levinson and Sally Zito on Saturday, January 13, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sanctuary Volunteer Project on Sunday, January 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (note different locations below)

Where: Chumash Village, 3057 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, California 93401 for Friday and Saturday events.

Ask questions and arrange carpools on the Facebook event page.

Please direct questions for the above events to Lisa Levinson at lisa@idausa.org.

Lecture and Concert with Dr. Will Tuttle

Friday night, Dr. Tuttle will share with us his personal spiritual veganic journey along with his educated and original insights to the history and practices of animal agriculture. The concepts, theories, and ideas will truly enlighten you! We'll start the evening with a vegan potluck at 6 p.m. with Madeleine Tuttle's artwork on display for you to enjoy, followed by Dr. Tuttle's lecture, interwoven with his self-composed piano works on our grand piano. This promises to be a lovely, inspired evening to begin an entire weekend of special activities to enjoy.

Honoring Your Intuition Workshop with Dr. Will Tuttle

We gather again on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. when Dr. Tuttle will lead us on a journey to our "Inner Islands," discussing the themes of his latest published book Your Inner Islands, with a workshop on developing intuition through guided imagery and music, as well as theory and practice. Dr. Tuttle has a PhD in education, and was a monastic Buddhist monk for many years, and you'll surely learn and/or deepen practices for honing a powerful heart and mind. A light vegan lunch will be served during the training, which concludes around 2 p.m. We kindly request a free-will donation for Dr. Tuttle's offering (suggested $20, or as you wish and are able). Please RSVP with "Honing your Intuition Workshop" in subject line by Thursday, 1/11 to Carolyn Blackman 831-234-1951 or carolynblackman@yahoo.com so adequate food can be provided.

Intention-Setting Ceremony to Honor and Bless All Animals with Lisa Levinson and Sally Zito

At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Lisa Levinson and Sally Zito will lead us in an intention-setting ceremony to honor and bless all animals and visualize the future world you wish to see. This is how "be the change you wish to see" gets going in the New Year! If you like, bring photo of an animal you would like to help this year and a vegan drum or other percussion instrument. Feel free to bring your bathing suit for a post-ceremony dip in the hot tub or pool! Unfortunately, animal companions are not permitted at this venue.

Sanctuary Volunteer Project

Having direct contact with rescued farmed animals is one of the most powerful ways to understand veganism and our inter-relatedness. Sunday is your opportunity to give your energy to one of two incredible San Luis Obispo County animal sanctuaries (choose between Loving Farm Animal Sanctuary or Happy Hen Chicken Rescue). Each beautiful location will have a special work project for the day to complete. You will experience the satisfaction of helping animals while spending time amongst the innocent chickens, goats, and pigs. Please RSVP with "Animal Sanctuary Play Day" in the subject line. Learn more about each opportunity by contacting Carolyn Blackman at 831-234-1951 or carolynblackman@yahoo.com.