Zen & the Arts Retreat

In being still, the stillness finds you. The poem stirs and seems to write itself. The photograph calls from the most ordinary corner. A new song visits unexpectedly, like rain. Once again we're reminded that the obstacles we have are the ones we create. 

In this half-day retreat we'll explore and renew the underground pathways connecting stillness and creative work by shifting between periods of meditation and periods of engaged art practice. The silence opens the practice and the practice enlivens the silence.

clouds endless clouds climbing beyond

ask nothing from words on a page

—Ikkyū

Schedule (times are Mountain Time):

10AM-10:30 welcome, overview, opening words, meditation

10:30-11:00 art practice

11:00-11:20 meditation

11:20-12:00PM art practice

12:00-12:30 break (optional)

12:30-12:50 meditation

12:50-1:30 art practice

1:30-1:40 closing meditation

1:40-2:00PM  conversations, wrap-up

Each meditation period begins with brief encouraging words. 

To get the most from the retreat, you are invited to use this time as a refuge from ordinary tasks. Please consider turning off all non-essential devices and turn off or disable all notifications (social media, email, etc.) for the duration of the retreat, even during the break. 

The power of the retreat lies in moving as seamlessly as possible from seated meditation into art practice and from art practice into meditation. 

Whatever art practice you bring (writing, photography, music, painting, sculpture, drawing, yoga, Tai Chi) please prepare your space and any necessary materials ahead of time so you have everything you need. 

During the periods of art practice, you are encouraged to value productivity over perfection. For example, if writing is your practice, your task is simply to write, write, write. Fill as many pages as possible. The idea is to plunge in and do the work without getting caught up in deliberation. You will not be required to share any work! 

If you need to use a laptop or some other device, that's fine. Just do what you can to minimize interruptions.

This event is an abbreviated version of a longer retreat that features six consecutive full days of alternating periods of silent stillness and art practice.

Please email me with any questions: hoag.holmgren@gmail.com

I hope to see you there!      --Hoag