Emergent Darkness - A Creative Process, Parts Work and Zen Retreat

Darkness is the home from which you come – 

Here in winter’s cold, dark hour—what is waiting to emerge?

Zen practice and the creative process invite us into the mysterious source from which all things seem to arise. Darkness is pregnant, the empty page full of potential—a plum blossom emerges from within winter’s cold, barren grip.

What happens when we enter the darkness of not-knowing?

Take a step off a one-hundred foot pole—one Zen koan instructs.

Form is emptiness, emptiness form—another koan says.

Zen practice celebrates the spontaneity and responsiveness that comes from peering through fixed beliefs and opening to the radiant spaciousness of our nature.

During this retreat we will practice entering the dark, formless space of not-knowing and letting emergence happen through the creative process. The retreat will weave stillness and expression through meditation, book + collage making, creative writing and movement practices.

This is a Zen-style creative process retreat. We will be following the monastic schedule which includes early morning meditation. During the day we will be engaging with group inquiry exercises and creative practices, with opportunities to meditate or practice solo art-making in the evenings.

This retreat is open to anyone who is interested in exploring the creative process, you do not have to have any artistic training or background. We will offer meditation instruction for those new to meditation on the first morning. Art supplies will be provided, feel free to bring collaging materials and your own scissors if you have them. We will be making journals, but you are also welcome to bring your own.