[retreat theme]

AWAKEN

To become aware of what is really true or real.

To spring into being, arise, originate.

To be aware, conscious, able to act.

[Related: Awakening.]

 

The philosophy behind this Creative Immersion retreat is:

1. we are only as powerful as we are awake.

2. creative practice is an effective way to awaken the whole self.

3. we may not think we are creative, but we all get to be creative.

 

Here’s the starting point: is your soul awake? Seriously, what’s your gut answer? What would fully awake feel like to you? (Pause…. actually feel into that answer for a moment.)

 

If you answered "no" or felt a little unsure, you’re not alone, nor is there a darn thing wrong with you. It’s the human condition to ebb and flow from fogginess to clarity on your personal “what am I doing and why am I a badass?” spectrum. We can’t all be sparkly unicorns all the time. Not to mention, sometimes our system shuts down in response to external chaos… it’s like it wants to hit the snooze alarm until everything is under control. All normal, all justifiable.

 

Not justifiable? Staying asleep.

 

I’m just going to lob this out there, and hopefully it lands deep: We need you. Awake. Not just functional after a cup of coffee or tea (which btw we’ve got you covered with the goods on retreat), but really awake and aligned to how you’re showing up for us (your community) and for you. Because you in all your glory? We love that shit.

 

What causes us to “fall asleep?” [Science time... two minutes... stay with me.] How we show up in the world is largely governed by our subconscious brain. It’s where our patterns, stories and habits live. It’s also where our fears, beliefs and rules live. Its job is to keep you alive (props) - but it doesn’t give a shit about your happiness. So it takes over control from the part of your brain that keeps you feeling “awake” - your prefrontal cortex - when it feels threatened. It steals the keys to your car, and drives you to safe land.

 

One of the best ways to wake up is to take back the keys: do something that brings you back to the present moment. Like yoga. Journaling. Painting. Essentially, being curious. When we become aware in the moment, we can look around us and consciously decide what to do with the resources available to us. We can make art: both literally, and perhaps more importantly, figuratively… after all, problem solving, empathy, conversation, leadership, our side hustles… it’s ALL art.

 

That’s what this retreat is about: creative practice as a vehicle to awaken the self. “Getting out of the way of yourself, so that you can be yourself.” [Amy Cuddy, in Presence.]

 

Whether you’re in a big transition, or feeling stagnated or numb and just want to shake things up, or you just love the opportunity to do something different, this immersion is about giving ourselves permission to be creative. Because creativity IS a way to awaken oneself. Sure, on this retreat we are not going to create art to save the world, but we’re creating the best you to save the world.