What participants have to say about Jam Jams:
From Echo Trobridge, Ceramics Artist:
Thank you so much for what was opened in my life, my heart, and my movement through the world. The weekend that I spent at the Jam Jam was a turning point, and I will always be grateful.
From Kathy Dick, Mother of Three and Songwriter:
From Nancy Grove, Farmer:
There is no pretense of being cool or hip or trendy. "Emancipate yourselves from the tyranny of being interesting" someone said. Dharma Door elicits this raw honesty. If you are new to all this and feeling awkward, Dharma Door will soon put you at ease and help you see that we are simply here to be humans together. No need to impress. Just be. And when the weekend is over, you'll find that some of your back muscles which you had been unconsciously clenching have eased up. Some of your heart muscles that you had been unconsciously clenching have eased up. Even some of your mind muscles that you had been unconsciously clenching have also softened. Its a little easier to breathe. The body feels a little warmer. Being at Dharma Door's JamJam is like a long, heartfelt hug from a dear friend. You didn't realize how badly you needed it....until you arrive and you say to yourself, 'Oh yeah, --this-- is a missing piece in my life. I forgot about this missing piece. I was too distracted and busy and fretful back home.' But here we are away from all that; there are no to-do lists. All weekend long, we see the flowers around us, the other participants, opening. Ever so gently and slowly. Even when we are carrying fear, or stress, or pain into the retreat, we feel that the other people are looking at us in a way that says, 'You are beautiful, i'm so glad that you are here'. And then we move together in Contact Improv, and it is like we are saying to one another, 'I know that you are hurt and confused and scared, but we are here together and it is fucking beautiful.' Jam Jams are wholesome. Jam Jams are nourishing. Jam Jams are enlivening. I feel that this medicine is needed the world over.
From Nancy Grove, Farmer:
Abbi and Amanda created a space for diverse personalities, needs and desires. There was a profound sense of open welcome-ness. There is time for solitude and time for connection with others. There is no hidden agenda, there is no need to impress anyone. The goal is to simply be authentic to yourself and to share yourself with others to the extent that you feel comfortable. Although much of the experiences of the Jam Jam were new to me, it felt amazingly healing to be able to express myself and communicate to others through movement.
Thank you so much for what was opened in my life, my heart, and my movement through the world. The weekend that I spent at the Jam Jam was a turning point, and I will always be grateful.
From Kathy Dick, Mother of Three and Songwriter:
- What worked and why? The flexibility and openness worked as it helped me to feel comfortable and relaxed enough to join in.
- What impact did the Jam Jam experience have on you or your life? I am still thinking about the powerful experience it was for me. It was pinnacle for me. It challenged me out of my comfort zone, gave me a safe space to be open and heal, made some powerful concepts real to me- connective-ness, balance, supporting, living in the now, being real vs. wearing a mask, eye contact, being open and seeing- really seeing others... and yourself...the list goes on and I realize more each day. I feel like I have become more real, brave, and open in all my relationships and areas of life. It's amazing. I have had many amazing conversations with friends about the experience.
- Do you have any suggestions for improvement? I was really glad Amanda reminded people to ask before touching others. I think it might be tricky if someone is in a vulnerable place or is uncomfortable saying no without that verbal reminder at the beginning.
- What did you learn or experience? The main thing was to really open my eyes to others, to the now. To tear off my mask. Balance and support were illustrated in a way I had never seen before. It moved me to tears several times because it was so beautiful.
From Nancy Grove, Farmer:
There is no pretense of being cool or hip or trendy. "Emancipate yourselves from the tyranny of being interesting" someone said. Dharma Door elicits this raw honesty. If you are new to all this and feeling awkward, Dharma Door will soon put you at ease and help you see that we are simply here to be humans together. No need to impress. Just be. And when the weekend is over, you'll find that some of your back muscles which you had been unconsciously clenching have eased up. Some of your heart muscles that you had been unconsciously clenching have eased up. Even some of your mind muscles that you had been unconsciously clenching have also softened. Its a little easier to breathe. The body feels a little warmer. Being at Dharma Door's JamJam is like a long, heartfelt hug from a dear friend. You didn't realize how badly you needed it....until you arrive and you say to yourself, 'Oh yeah, --this-- is a missing piece in my life. I forgot about this missing piece. I was too distracted and busy and fretful back home.' But here we are away from all that; there are no to-do lists. All weekend long, we see the flowers around us, the other participants, opening. Ever so gently and slowly. Even when we are carrying fear, or stress, or pain into the retreat, we feel that the other people are looking at us in a way that says, 'You are beautiful, i'm so glad that you are here'. And then we move together in Contact Improv, and it is like we are saying to one another, 'I know that you are hurt and confused and scared, but we are here together and it is fucking beautiful.' Jam Jams are wholesome. Jam Jams are nourishing. Jam Jams are enlivening. I feel that this medicine is needed the world over.
From Nancy Grove, Farmer:
Abbi and Amanda created a space for diverse personalities, needs and desires. There was a profound sense of open welcome-ness. There is time for solitude and time for connection with others. There is no hidden agenda, there is no need to impress anyone. The goal is to simply be authentic to yourself and to share yourself with others to the extent that you feel comfortable. Although much of the experiences of the Jam Jam were new to me, it felt amazingly healing to be able to express myself and communicate to others through movement.