A little about me...
My life's work has been enriched through my experiences of travel, the arts, relationships, motherhood, holistic health & healing, body movement, meditation & mindfulness. If I were a tree, I would say that my roots are Christian, my branches are Buddhist, and my trunk flows with the sap of many faith traditions & philosophies. I am deeply connected to the earth and draw inspiration and life from the natural world around me. I have encountered many wonderful teachers along the way, often in the most unexpected places. I am deeply indebted to my first spiritual director and good friend, David Giuliano, for his guidance, encouragement, shared humour & great wisdom. The gift of Thich Nhat Hahn's book, "The Miracle of Mindfulness," almost twenty years ago brought me home to myself. My vision of creating a "home' in the form of space for conversation, spiritual practices, retreats and quiet contemplation has come to fruition.
Originally from Canada, with some time spent in Europe, I have spent the past eight years living and working in the beautiful hills and valleys of Southern Illinois. I offer Mindful Living sessions and facilitate small group retreats at the Center For Lost Arts in Cobden, IL. Large group retreats are held at the Center For Lost Arts up the hill from the homestead. The owner of this house, Paul Frank, and I are collaborating in using our spaces for retreats, accommodations, workshops and in growing food. We are members of Foodworks and the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance and grow food for ourselves, our guests and hope to expand to provide for our community as well. Most recently we have helped to organize The Homestead Collective, currently located within Packrats Paradise Antique Mall in Cobden. The collective is a kind of "local fair trade" organization with all sales going directly to the owner members.
As a former certified fitness instructor with education in psychology, arts & spirituality, I bring a holistic approach into my work of companioning others. I am a graduate & former facilitator with the Jubilee Program in Spiritual Deepening & Spiritual Direction. I am member of Spiritual Directors International, offering a variation of spiritual direction sessions that I refer to as "Mindful Living." I have been practicing mindfulness & meditation in various forms for almost 20 years and am currently in teacher training with the Sage Institute for Creativity & Consciousness in Taos, New Mexico. I have dedicated my life to providing a safe space in which people can retreat from their lives - whether for an hour, a day or an extended stay. The way in which I offer this has changed over the years, but the spirit in which I do so remains the same. I have been committed to having my own guide along the way - both for accountability and personal growth. I am deeply grateful for those who have accompanied me and am honoured to have the opportunity to accompany others.
Okay, that's enough about me .....
A little about you....
Perhaps you have been seeking to live a life with more meaning - to be more in tune with your deepest longings - to connect with others in a more intimate way. I would love to support you to explore, express and live into your truest self. I offer Mindful Living sessions as a monthly check-in to deepen your life experience and begin or renew spiritual practices, including mindfulness & meditation.
You may also be interested in one of the Soul in the World retreats, Mindfulness & Meditation Series or opportunities to help out on our farm in exchange for an overnight personal retreat. I would love to offer you a nurturing & safe space in which to take some time away from your regular life, to spend time in the natural world, to be mindful of what is stirring within you..... to retreat and renew your spirit.
Bonnie Burton
Soul in the World
My life's work has been enriched through my experiences of travel, the arts, relationships, motherhood, holistic health & healing, body movement, meditation & mindfulness. If I were a tree, I would say that my roots are Christian, my branches are Buddhist, and my trunk flows with the sap of many faith traditions & philosophies. I am deeply connected to the earth and draw inspiration and life from the natural world around me. I have encountered many wonderful teachers along the way, often in the most unexpected places. I am deeply indebted to my first spiritual director and good friend, David Giuliano, for his guidance, encouragement, shared humour & great wisdom. The gift of Thich Nhat Hahn's book, "The Miracle of Mindfulness," almost twenty years ago brought me home to myself. My vision of creating a "home' in the form of space for conversation, spiritual practices, retreats and quiet contemplation has come to fruition.
Originally from Canada, with some time spent in Europe, I have spent the past eight years living and working in the beautiful hills and valleys of Southern Illinois. I offer Mindful Living sessions and facilitate small group retreats at the Center For Lost Arts in Cobden, IL. Large group retreats are held at the Center For Lost Arts up the hill from the homestead. The owner of this house, Paul Frank, and I are collaborating in using our spaces for retreats, accommodations, workshops and in growing food. We are members of Foodworks and the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance and grow food for ourselves, our guests and hope to expand to provide for our community as well. Most recently we have helped to organize The Homestead Collective, currently located within Packrats Paradise Antique Mall in Cobden. The collective is a kind of "local fair trade" organization with all sales going directly to the owner members.
As a former certified fitness instructor with education in psychology, arts & spirituality, I bring a holistic approach into my work of companioning others. I am a graduate & former facilitator with the Jubilee Program in Spiritual Deepening & Spiritual Direction. I am member of Spiritual Directors International, offering a variation of spiritual direction sessions that I refer to as "Mindful Living." I have been practicing mindfulness & meditation in various forms for almost 20 years and am currently in teacher training with the Sage Institute for Creativity & Consciousness in Taos, New Mexico. I have dedicated my life to providing a safe space in which people can retreat from their lives - whether for an hour, a day or an extended stay. The way in which I offer this has changed over the years, but the spirit in which I do so remains the same. I have been committed to having my own guide along the way - both for accountability and personal growth. I am deeply grateful for those who have accompanied me and am honoured to have the opportunity to accompany others.
Okay, that's enough about me .....
A little about you....
Perhaps you have been seeking to live a life with more meaning - to be more in tune with your deepest longings - to connect with others in a more intimate way. I would love to support you to explore, express and live into your truest self. I offer Mindful Living sessions as a monthly check-in to deepen your life experience and begin or renew spiritual practices, including mindfulness & meditation.
You may also be interested in one of the Soul in the World retreats, Mindfulness & Meditation Series or opportunities to help out on our farm in exchange for an overnight personal retreat. I would love to offer you a nurturing & safe space in which to take some time away from your regular life, to spend time in the natural world, to be mindful of what is stirring within you..... to retreat and renew your spirit.
Bonnie Burton
Soul in the World
