Welcome to the June Retreat at The Clearing!
Thank you for being here.
How it works:
This is a gathering of people from all over the world, in many different time zones, and with many different lives and needs - so we're trying to make this as flexible as possible.
There is an online gathering from on Saturday 17th June - join live us if you can, but there will be a recording available afterwards.
In addition to that, I'm providing a day's worth of reflective, restful tasks and exercises for you to complete as you wish - they are called 'moments'.
Moments 1 & 2 are best completed before the live gathering.
Moments 3 & 4 can be completed at any time, before or after.
Moment 5 is a reflective prompt for you to complete at the very end.
There is also a reflective prompt for you to complete afterwards.
If you follow this post in order, it will guide you through.
Of course, we won’t all be together in physical space, but we can still build a retreat community. Please say hello in the comments, and feel free to feed back on your experience there too.
The Live Gathering
Saturday 17th June
4pm - 7pm UK
11am - 2pm EDT
8am - 11am PDT
Join us live on Crowdcast to gather, rest and share our experiences.
The link is here - you can register early and send a link to your online calendar:
https://www.crowdcast.io/c/iosps35drkhq
Password: crestedtit
If you are unable to attend live, a recording will be available via the same link directly afterwards.
First Things First
Setting up your retreat
You're here because you need to rest - it's a yearning, a calling, a necessity. This time matters. Let's make it feel solid.
Grab a notebook and something to write with, and answer these questions before you start.
When are you able to retreat? Will you work through the prompts in a single day, or will you do a little each day for a week?
Where will you retreat? Can you find somewhere private, where you won't be interrupted?
Who do you need to tell about your retreat? Can you ask them to help you to rest?
What arrangements do you need to make so that the world won't intrude?
When you're done, make whatever arrangements are necessary for you to immerse in this retreat.
Moment 1: Creating Space
Now, we're going to tend to our retreat space.
First of all, create a simple ritual to mark your intention to begin your retreat.
Some simple ways to do this:
Light a candle.
Pour yourself a glass of water.
Now watch this video:
Moment 1: Creating Space
Work through the following cards, one at a time. Slow down as you do this. This is an important part of the process - it's not a sideshow to the real thing. We are tending to our space, and therefore to ourselves.
When you've worked through the cards, sit in your space for a while.
Breathe.
Notice how the space feels.
Make any adjustments you need to.
Moment 2: Who Am I?
Watch this video:
Now explore these question in your notebook or journal:
Who am I, as I enter this retreat?
What feelings am I bringing into this space?
What questions am I asking?
What needs am I trying to meet?
Some guidelines for journalling:
There are no guidelines.
Record your thoughts in a way that feels satisfying to you - whether that's sentences, lists, diagrams, images, collage, interpretive dance...
Don't worry how anyone else does it. Nobody's looking. Make your brain happy.
Moment 3: A Journey
I always love to include walking in my retreats. It's a wonderful way to regulate the body, helping us to breathe more freely, and to calm the nervous system.
I'd like you to take a walk as part of your retreat if you can - I'll leave it to you to plan how long you want to walk for. If walking isn't for you, perhaps you could drive to an outside location like a park or a wild space.
Here are the rules for your journey:
First, take a look at a map of your local area (Google maps is fine!). Check in with your curiosity. Is there anywhere you've never been before? Are there any green spaces that you don't know? Make a journey to that place.
Make a journey to that place - don't forget water and sun cream!
Here's the unusual rule: I don't want you to make any notes, sketches or photos while you're there. Just be on the journey.
Come home again.
Moment 3: A Journey
Now watch this video:
Now create the story of your journey, in whatever medium you choose.
Tell us what happened, from your unique perspective. Embellish as much as you like.
Share the result in the comments.
What do you notice about telling a story in this way?
How did it feel to tell a story from memory?
Moment 4: Tending
Watch this video:
Now, choose an item that you love, which is in need of repair, restoration, or just a little care.
It might be:
An item of clothing that needs a button sewn on, or a hole closed.
An old toy or ornament that needs to be cleaned up.
A book in need of a new cover.
A collection of photographs that need to be scanned in or put into an album.
An item of furniture that needs a tighten up and a polish.
Something else.
Make some time to tend to this item today. Do it mindfully - slowly, carefully, keeping in mind its meaning to you.
Share an image or a description in the comments, and if you like, reflect in your journal on how it feel to tend to something in this way.
Moment 5: Reflecting
As we come to the end of our retreat, take a moment to reflect on your experience. You can do this in your journal, or in another way that pleases you - I like to take a stroll while I think!
How did it feel to put aside space and time for rest?
What felt pleasurable, comfortable or restful?
What made you uncomfortable or avoidant?
Did any key insights arise for you?
What will you keep as you go back to everyday life?
Can you share one aspect of the retreat with someone you know - an insight, a practice, or a physical item?
Thank you for being here.
See you next time.