Photo Credit: Natalie Rotramel, local artist of Southern Illinois
The Artist & Writer in You
Autumn: Monday, November 4th 9am to 4pm at Center For Lost Arts, Cobden, Illinois - (FULL)
The Artist & Writer in You day retreats are designed to provide a space that is personalized, creative, and grounding. Using mindful practices, time in nature, journaling and creative forms of expression we tap into what's stirring within us.
I have fine-tuned "The Artist & Writer in You" retreat day to be one of personal journey while sharing time and space with others.
Many retreatants take the retreat seasonally for this reason. No matter what place you are in your life or path that you are following, you are welcome. We eat our lunch in silence, a practice of mindful eating or noble silence(in sanskrit - mouna) and we end our day with a guided meditation for re-entry into our daily lives.
Your retreat day begins at 9am and winds up around 4pm. A delicious vegan lunch is included as well as a selection of art supplies. Bring your own journal and a blanket. You're welcome to bring a yoga mat or meditation cushion as well. Although no formal yoga will be offered, it's nice to have a mat to use for stretching or relaxation. We have plenty of room.
This retreat has room for 8 retreatants, with proceeds going to the Center For Lost Arts. Sliding scale is available & Pay-It-Forward is welcome to allow those who are financially restricted to participate in the future. See schedule below. Registration is HERE.
Photo Credit: Bonnie Burton on retreat, Autumn 2023
Mindful Living & Meditation
Mindful Living & Meditation are four-week series that combines "in-class" learning with "out-in-the world" experiences, allowing us to know ourselves well as we interact with others more harmoniously. Sessions are suitable for those who are new to meditation or mindfulness practices and also for those wanting to renew & energize current practices.
Series #1:
Foundational Techniques: We focus on posture and alignment; breath & body awareness; how to work with our busy minds & outside distractions; exploring various meditation & mindfulness practices.
(1 - hour and a half class)
Building on the Foundation: We continue practicing meditation together and begin working with mindfulness techniques that promote self-awareness and presence. The Five Skandas(reframed as The Five Conditions) give us the tools to break unhealthy patterns and have a more embodied and healthy life. Past participants have shared that these practices, combined with simple meditation, have given them a sense of ease, decreased reactivity, improved relationships and a calm place to return to within themselves.
(2 - hour & a half classes)
Deepening the Practice: We focus on our ongoing meditation and mindfulness practices exploring a deeper integration of our inner and outer worlds. Working with the Five Conditions in everyday life leads to less reactivity to and more intentional engagement with others.
(1 - hour & a half class)
Series #2:
The Real World: Using real-world exercises, creative art, photography, poetry, journaling and other expressive techniques, we create our toolbox for maintaining balance and presence, even in the midst of life challenges and crises.
(4 - hour & a half classes OR within a full day retreat)
Prerequisite: Series #1 or equivalent
*See schedule below*
Photo Credit: Bonnie Burton on retreat, Autumn 2023
Mindful Living & Meditation
Mindful Living & Meditation are four-week series that combines "in-class" learning with "out-in-the world" experiences, allowing us to know ourselves well as we interact with others more harmoniously. Sessions are suitable for those who are new to meditation or mindfulness practices and also for those wanting to renew & energize current practices.
Series #1:
Foundational Techniques: We focus on posture and alignment; breath & body awareness; how to work with our busy minds & outside distractions; exploring various meditation & mindfulness practices.
(1 - hour and a half class)
Building on the Foundation: We continue practicing meditation together and begin working with mindfulness techniques that promote self-awareness and presence. The Five Skandas(reframed as The Five Conditions) give us the tools to break unhealthy patterns and have a more embodied and healthy life. Past participants have shared that these practices, combined with simple meditation, have given them a sense of ease, decreased reactivity, improved relationships and a calm place to return to within themselves.
(2 - hour & a half classes)
Deepening the Practice: We focus on our ongoing meditation and mindfulness practices exploring a deeper integration of our inner and outer worlds. Working with the Five Conditions in everyday life leads to less reactivity to and more intentional engagement with others.
(1 - hour & a half class)
Series #2:
The Real World: Using real-world exercises, creative art, photography, poetry, journaling and other expressive techniques, we create our toolbox for maintaining balance and presence, even in the midst of life challenges and crises.
(4 - hour & a half classes OR within a full day retreat)
Prerequisite: Series #1 or equivalent
*See schedule below*
Soul in the World logo created by Heather Smith, local artist & designer
Autumn & Winter Schedule 2024/25
Mindful Living & Meditation
Series #1 - Online Version
Sundays, January 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2025
9am to 10:30am (Central Time)
9:00am to 10:30am
Zoom - online
Register HERE
Mindful Living & Meditation
Series #2
Sunday, February 2nd - Full day
9am to 4pm
Cobden, IL - Center For Lost Arts
Register HERE
Mindful Living & Meditation
Series #1
Sundays, November 10, 17, 24 & December 1 (FULL)
9:00am to 10:30am
Carbondale, Illinois(Location given after registration)
Register HERE
Mindful Living & Meditation
Series #1
Sundays, September 8, 15, 22 & 29 (FULL) (COMPLETE)
9:00am to 10:30am
Front St. Cobden, Illinois
Register HERE
If you would like to be on a cancellation list, or on the email list for the
next series (January online, February in Cobden, March in Carbondale)
send your contact information HERE.
The Artist & Writer in You
Monday, November 4th (FULL)
9:00am to 4pm
Center For Lost Arts, Cobden, Illinois
Register HERE
