This Napa Institute Summer Conference is the largest I’ve participated in, but it’s also turning out to be the most “comfortable,” as I’ve learned, more or less, how to approach what can be a very demanding week.

On Friday afternoons there are activities that participants can sign up for, ranging from horseback riding to tastings at Napa/Sonoma wineries, to painting, etc. It’s been a spiritually powerful week, but also an emotionally difficult week. I spent the early afternoon in prayer and meditation in the vineyards above the Meritage’s Estate Cave, where Masses are being celebrated this week.

Time is passing both very quickly and very slowly.