Playing With Words: A Mindful Writing Retreat

Immerse yourself in a peaceful setting and tap into your inner creativity through, meditation, mindfulness practices and guided writing exercises. This retreat is aimed at helping you find inspiration, clarity, and rejuvenation as you connect with fellow writers in a calming atmosphere.

Event Highlights:

· Guided Mindfulness Meditation: Start and finish each day with guided and silent meditations in the Plum Village tradition, to enhance your focus. Experience shorter contemplations based on the writing exercises throughout each day

• Writing Workshops: Engage in inspiring writing workshops led by experienced instructors to develop confidence and creativity

• Community Building: Connect with like-minded writers and mindfulness practitioners in a supportive and welcoming community

• Personal Reflection Time: Enjoy some time for personal reflection and journaling

• Nutritious Meals: Savour nourishing vegan meals with a short meditation before eating and some silent eating time for truly appreciating the food

· Freedom: to give time and space for writing, and to explore what your writing can offer you in terms of leaving behind any pre-conceived notions of writing - who, why, and what it’s for

• A new way to enjoy your mindfulness practice.

Who can attend?

The retreat is open to anyone with an interest in combining the transformational practices of mindfulness and writing. You do not need to be experienced in either aspect, although some mindfulness practice experience would be beneficial. We welcome both the courageous and adventurous, along with those who believe that they are neither!

The writing we practice will include

· Guided free writing

· Haiku

· Gathas

· Fun writing games

· Shared and individual writing exercises

We will have some time to be playful and use art materials in one session, and an option to practice calligraphy.

Location:

Our retreat will be held at the picturesque Briery Retreat Centre, in the heart of rural Ilkley, West Yorkshire. The centre offers comfortable accommodation and natural surroundings that can inspire creativity and mindfulness.

The Briery Retreat Centre

38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley, West Yorkshire. LS29 9BW

https://www.briery.org.uk/

The Briery has 3 ground floor bedrooms, one of which is fully accessible for a wheelchair, with a wet room. Please indicate on the booking form if you need one of these rooms.

There is a lift to the first floor.

Transport

Ilkley has a railway station and The Briery is less than a mile away, an approximate 16m walk.

There is on-street parking for cars.

Date and Time

• • • Arrival: Friday, 22nd March 2024 at 4:00 PM
    • Departure: Sunday, 24th March at 2:00 PM

NB please let us know if you will arrive after dinner (6pm) on Friday evening.

Registration Includes:

• • • Accommodation for two nights in a private en-suite room
    • All meals and beverages
    • A schedule of mindful meditations and writing sessions, as well as the opportunity to share work in a safe, confidential space
    • Use of some art materials and supplies
    • Inspiration from being with a like-minded community

Retreat Leaders

Teri West

I am a Lay Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village Tradition, receiving the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in 2000 with the Dharma name True Door of Virtue, and the Lamp Transmission as a Dharma teacher in 2016. I first became a student of Thich Nhat Hanh in 1988 and have been engaged in sangha-building and organising and co-leading retreats ever since.

My professional life has been mainly in the arts; as a storyteller, singer, a member of an improvising clown troupe and cabaret performer, and as a workshop leader in storytelling, and percussion. I write a haiku as a meditation before emailing each day, also longer poems, and have recorded a few songs, some self-penned, and chants: https://soundcloud.com/tj-fool.

I live a simple, fairly solitary life in a crumbling clifftop cottage in North Devon.

Dr. Lauri Bower

I teach the Be Calm Be Happy, Looking Deeply and Living Mindfully courses for Plum Village UK, since 2016.

I am firmly committed to the Plum Village approach to mindfulness and received the transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings at Plum Village in 2014 to become an Order member. My True name is True Mountain of Non-Fear.

I have over 35 years' experience of meditation practice and more than 20 years of running and organising retreats. I taught Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses from 2013, which expanded into Mindfulness and Creativity retreats, workshops, and courses.

I completed a Ph.D. in Mindfulness in 2014, based on Thay's teachings of Mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism.

I have always engaged with creative pursuits in sewing, dressmaking, embroidery, calligraphy, jewellery, and bookbinding and since 2012 have been exploring how the practice of mindfulness informs my writing, particularly poetry. I share poems on my website as well as selling original paper collages and cards. I post my creative work on Instagram.

Ticket Options:

• Ticket A £275 only for those on low income or with limited finances.
• Ticket B £300 this is our break even ticket
• Ticket C £325 this ticket helps us to be able to offer supported places.

Don't miss this opportunity to rejuvenate your creativity and find your inner voice in a peaceful, playful, and supportive environment.

Spaces are limited to 20, so book your spot today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and mindful writing at our Playing with Words: Mindful Writing Retreat.

Host or Publisher Plum Village UK - Be Calm Be Happy