Gigi Coyle
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Contents
Biographical Information
"Gigi began with a series of three-day retreats at a convent school when she was twelve, fascinated and curious what Jesus was doing fasting in that desert for 40 days. In her early twenties, the seeds of that experience led her to travel--alone in the wilderness, and in other cultures--seeking pathways to spirit, integral healing, and the partnership possible between all beings. She still travels that road. For thirty years, she has worked with individuals and groups in different communities and cultures, helping to build bridges “between the worlds.” She has organized and co-led journeys to the rainforest, to the oceans, to the desert; journeys dedicated to witnessing and learning through the great suffering and abundant grace found on this planet. Interspecies Communication, The School of Lost Borders and The Ojai Foundation have been her primary focus and attention. Today, she offers council and the desert fast as two of the simplest, oldest, tried-and-true forms for initiation, healing, confirmation and celebration of work, life, and vision. She is co-author of The Way of Council and The Box; Remembering The Gift. Gigi created and is now leading an intergenerational pilgrimage team, Beyond Boundaries and responds to a variety of service projects supporting regenerative communities around the world. " [1]
"Gigi helped create, direct and oversee The Ojai Foundation, an educational retreat sanctuary for youth and adults where she still teaches and serves as an advisor today. She co-founded their Center for Council Training, now renamed The Center for Council Practice, where she serves as the international point." [2]
Her partner is Win Phelps.
Affiliations
- Founder, Beyond Boundaries
- Supporter, World Wilderness Congress
- Supporter, Boulder Institute
- Former Guest Teacher, Upaya Zen Center [1]
Background
"The Crossroads Mysteries program, which was initiated in 1983, includes one semester of weekly councils for seniors and a culminating five-day retreat at the Ojai Foundation." (Former director - Peggy O'Brien) "The Palms Council Project began with a one-year pilot program in 1992-3...
"The first two years of the Council Program was supported by private donations and grants from the Threshold, Karen Gernee, and Educare Foundations. The third year of council at Palms was supported by private donations, discretionary funds from the Los Angeles City Council, The Herb Alpert Foundation,..." (Jack Zimmerman and Coyle, The Way of Council, p.301)
