The Art of Presence: A Retreat with Peter Kater
Being present with your Self and in your life is the single most healing, inspiring, and transformative practice you will ever learn...
Join me . . . in the presence of Trees.
Where the Earth beckons a
deeper listen
As it draws you down into it’s peace.
Join me . . . on the edge
of the known and unfamiliar.
In the company of intimate strangers.
Join me . . . for an eternal moment
Within the eye of spiraling time.
As we reclaim what we’ve lost.
Join me . . . in loving emancipation
In blinding night and blinding light.
To awaken once more and again.
-Peter Kater
"If you want to be utterly transported, you want the magic and the music of Peter Kater. Once you hear what his mind, his heart, his soul and his fingers do with a keyboard, nothing less and nothing else will do." -- Neale Donald Walsch, Author "Conversations With God"
Join me, Peter Kater, for a full week (7 full days and nights) just outside of Whitefish, Montana, cultivating deep presence, healing, intimacy and joy in one of the most beautiful and serene places on Earth. Through listening to live music, to the sounds and silence of nature, crystal singing bowls, to our Selves and each other, we will cultivate a deep awareness and experience the magical presence and continual movement of Life in all of its transformations. Being present with ourselves, the Earth and each other is the single most healing, inspiring and transformative practice we will ever learn . . . and the most creative.
We will spend a week together at Dancing Spirit Ranch, a peaceful yet dynamic place of conscious co-creation between man and nature, where the earth, the elements and the natural cycles of life are given center stage in the incredible beauty of the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana. It sits on 160-acres full of forests, ponds, and over 5 miles of walking trails leading you to a variety of sacred stone sites. From labyrinth walks to gong baths, the hidden treasures of Dancing Spirit Ranch will make this retreat unlike any other. The ranch has a variety of buildings that create a unique Western Village, perfect to house our nature getaway. From yoga and music in the School House, to nourishing meals in the Barn, every corner of the ranch has something memorable to offer.
We will enjoy delicious, healthy meals made with local farm-to-table organic ingredients. We will listen to music performed by myself and other guest musicians daily, sometimes in performance style situations and sometimes informally next to the roasting fire. During each nightly fire circle, we will share and entertain thoughtful, engaging and expanding conversation, and sometimes just contemplate and revel in the silent roar of quiet presence. Lie under my piano while I play for you and even sign-up for a personal private musical “reading,” which I will record for you. We will tone together using 12 crystal singing bowls. We will explore the wonder and miracle of Nature on beautiful Dancing Spirit Ranch, at local lakes, at Glacier National Park and even take a leisurely four hour river float on tubes, kayaks, canoes or paddle boards from town back to the ranch.
We will learn and practice various exercises to stimulate deep presence and listening. And we will have every afternoon free to do as we wish. Enjoy and explore the beauty and magic of nature; or nap in the sun by the lake; or kayak, paddle board; journal or visit with friends. All formal group activities will happen between sunrise and lunch and then again from dinner into the evening hours. There will be one or two free evenings as well to explore Whitefish or do whatever your heart calls you to do. Also, if you’re a musician and would like to play with me, bring your instrument. I’m sure we can find some time during the week to be present in our music together.
"My soul was dancing with delight as Peter created a musical masterpiece right in the moment. It was awe inspiring to witness the birth of a song that was in tune with my energy. It felt as if the melody captured the very essence of my being." -- Tanya Gabriel
The Schedule
This is a preliminary outline of a potential schedule. I’ll be tweaking it up until the first day of the retreat to make it as enjoyable and flowing as possible. But all the activities listed will happen at one point during the retreat.)
Arrival Day Sunday, July 1st - Guests arrive all afternoon. Get settled in, and then enjoy our first dinner and Meet & Greet. Then we’ll converge at the Fire Circle for more introductions and chatting while enjoying some wine and sake with some quality live music.
Day 1, Monday, July 2nd - Morning vinyasa yoga followed by a healthy breakfast. Walking tour of the property visiting all the sites and experiencing the lay of the land. A delicious hearty lunch followed by a free afternoon to visit areas individually, nap, swim, paddle board, kayak, unwind, journal or whatever you desire. Reconvene for dinner at 6pm followed by an intimate piano concert experience from 7:30 - 8:30pm. Our nightly fire circle gathering will start at 9pm with another live guest musician as we explore some deeper thoughts and feelings in our nightly topic discussion.
Day 2, Tuesday, July 3rd - Restorative Yoga followed by a healthy breakfast. After breakfast leave for first excursion into Historic Whitefish. Walk around the town and get a taste of the local culture and charm. Buy some souvenirs or personal supplies then we’ll head over and have lunch on the lake on a couple of pontoon boats. Come back mid-afternoon and rest, swim, kayak, take a nap within the trees or whatever your heart desires till our dinner at 6pm. Another piano and sound experience from 7:30 - 8:30pm followed by our nightly fire circle, new evening topic and new guest musician.
Day 3, Wednesday, July 4th - Day of silence until Dinner. Starting with vinyasa yoga followed by breakfast. Exploring intimacy and communication through silence and sound with crystal singing bowls and music. Experiencing the deep peace and sounds of nature followed by a delicious silent lunch. Free afternoon and silence all day until 6pm when we begin our 4th of July barbecue with some fun interactions and games followed by some new music and our nightly fire circle. Individuals have the option to go into town for the local festivities and fireworks there if they wish.
Day 4, Thursday, July 5th - Morning vinyasa yoga followed by breakfast. More experiences in deep presence and awareness at new sites on the Ranch. Specifics to be announced. Lunch and free afternoon followed by dinner. Evening Outdoor Piano Concert that’s open to the public in the Secret Garden from 8 - 10pm.
Day 5, Friday, July 6th - Morning restorative yoga followed by a nutritious breakfast. Excursion up into Glacier National Park on Going To The Sun Road. See some of Americas most beautiful naturescapes and enjoy lunch in it’s pristine splendor. Free Afternoon. Sushi Night at Wasabi’s Sushi Bar and Restaurant in Whitefish. This is the only meal that you will pay for yourself. If sushi is not your thing, then enjoy a night out on the town at a restaurant or destination of your choice. No fire circle this evening.
Day 6, Saturday, July 7th - Last Day. Morning restorative yoga and breakfast. Four hour river float on tubes and rafts from downtown Whitefish back to the Ranch. Lunch and free afternoon. Pre-dinner 5:30pm piano and singing bowl experience followed by a late festive final dinner and closing fire circle. Individual acknowledgments and good-byes.
Day 7, Sunday July 8th Breakfast and rides to the airport.
