Come join us for a weekend of Mindfulness on the Mountain.
This is a mindfulness meditation retreat, open to both beginning and experienced meditators. As has been our custom, Ryan Black will lead us in the mindful movement of Qigong. Kenneth Robinson will lead us in the devotional chanting of Kirtan. Gordon Peerman will draw from the writings of Wendell Berry to set the frame for our meditations.
Wendell Berry is a Kentucky novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer.
Gordon is an appreciator of what he calls Wendell Berry’s “Contemplative Vision” — on matters of love and loss, eternity and the passage of time, beauty and its desecration, silence and stillness and our many distractions, and finally, the value of good work and what Berry calls our “membership” with land and neighbor.
In Gordon’s own words, “More than anybody else’s writing, Wendell Berry’s soothes me, refreshes me, gladdens me, encourages me, and enlarges my heart. He is Gordon’s favorite writer."
My meditative method will be simple. I’ll pull passages from some of Berry’s novels and stories and poems, make a few observations on Berry’s Contemplative Vision, and fashion guided meditations for the retreat.”
While it is not a requirement for you to read any or all of these works, you will be well rewarded if you do. The program will draw from three novels: Hannah Coulter, Jayber Crow, and The Memory of Old Jack; from two stories: “The Art of Loading Brush” and “Fidelity”; finally, from a few poems: “I Go Among Trees,” and “The Peace of Wild Things,” and “How To Be a Poet.”
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After 72 hours of registration, a $100 cancellation fee applies. There are no refunds within 7 days of the program arrival date.
Scholarships are available. Contact Reservations@stmaryssewanee.org for an application.
Roommate discounts are available. Contact Reservations for more information. St. Mary’s Sewanee does not assign roommates.
*A minimum registration is required for retreats to take place. If the program does not meet the minimum registration within 2 weeks of the event, there is the possibility of cancellation. If SMS cancels a retreat for any reason, any registered guest will receive a full refund of all payments.
Lodging in Anna House (motel style room, private bathroom), meals, program fees and materials included
Lodging in St. Mary's Hall (dorm style rooms, shared bathrooms), meals, program fees & materials
Meals, program fees and materials