About this Event
“[These retreats are] a sacred space that honors each writer and transcends the individual act of writing into a magical field of care and possibility. And all of this is done do lightly that there is no risk of taking oneself too seriously.”
- HW, repeat participant
This daylong retreat in a seriously breathtaking setting will help you:
- Express your grief, your gratitude, your longing, your love… whatever wants to make its way through
- Listen to and express yourself in profound, life-changing ways
- Trust your voice and the importance of what it is saying (to you and the world)
- Give and receive the medicine of kindness and generosity
- Take a day off from your inner critic
- Form lasting connections with other creative, soulful humans
“I am always amazed how things unfold at the writing retreat. Yes, we write, but it's so much more than that. It’s a gathering of wise truth tellers who take us on journeys, personal and universal. Where the words come from, I don't know. But we resonate with the sharing of the words. We delight in speaking into what we love. We surprise and delight ourselves in this sacred space.” - GM, return participant
The plan
We’ll gather at Skyline Community Church*…
… a place high in the Oakland hills, photos of which do it no justice whatsoever.
You’ll be encouraged to make use of the grounds—the labyrinth, gazebo, and other cozy outdoor and indoor spaces—to aid your reflection and bonding.
We will reflect, express, and share.
We’ll do several exercises that invite you to explore your inner and outer landscapes, then we’ll share our work with each other. You’ll get to know the other hearts in the space in different contexts and varying depths.
With each exercise we’ll become more trusting of ourselves and our fellow writers. It is truly amazing how quickly this happens.
Writing is the vehicle, but not the point.
We’re not working on our writing, not trying to improve it. Instead, we’re responding to what is most alive and kicking in us—and having that witnessed and reflected by our friends. Writing is merely the vehicle for this powerful work.
Bring pen, paper, your lunch and some snackie-poos.
Beyond that there is nothing to prepare. You’ll be guided the whole way.
The benefits
These groups come to love and trust one another very quickly. (You’ll see.)
It is into this space of genuine kindness that you will bring your voice, your expression.
Before long, you may find yourself wanting to go deeper into your self, your soul, your stories, mining for the truth that lives there. The courage you find to do this is a genuine, heart-sourced longing to be known, and to know others.
You get the space to connect with your medicine and let it spill forth, and—the really powerful part—be witnessed by others who love you. (You’ll see!)
It’s also a chance to build community with others who want to keep doing this.
Directions, parking and other specifics will be included in your confirmation, but please if you have any questions before you register.
Event venue & nearby stays
Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.