Category — retreats & workshops

Teaching meditation and writing retreat for a week!

Hello to the creative artists out there.

Hello to those of you who wish to live authentically and deeply.

Hello to anyone out there who is confused as hell about what this means.

I’m talking to all of you, including myself.

About a month ago, I was on the phone with a close friend who was utterly confused by his own life. He had started on his adult path with a clear connection to his creativity and purpose. But now, 15 years on, with a lucrative profession and a beautiful family, he had gotten himself to a place where everything looked good on the outside but felt bad on the inside. For years he had been asking himself if he should he quit his job, move to a different town, etc. He thought long. He thought hard. One day he thought this and the next day he thought that. But nothing changed. When we last spoke, he had reached the end of his rope. He said, “I need advice. I can’t keep going in circles like this. I’m just not happy but I don’t know why or what to do. I need someone I trust to tell me what to do.”

Fortunately, I knew exactly who to refer him to. Himself.

I’m not talking about the agitated, childhood-neurotic, moralistic, affirmation-saying self. That self just kept plaguing him with thought after thought after thought, laying out hopeful scenarios followed by fearful ones, debating with him in the voices of his mother, father, best friend, favorite writers, and various television stars. I’m talking about the self that exists just beyond the fringe of discursive, conventional mind, the self who sees clearly, possesses extraordinary insight, knows the truth, and can be called upon in every moment to guide with wisdom—if only we can remember to ask.

This self automatically steps forward when we relax and stop thinking that the problems we think we have can be solved by thinking some more about them.

This self automatically steps forward when we step out of the discursive stream and, rather than allowing it to carry us, watch it rush by. This is what happens when you meditate. It is also what happens when you write.

These realizations lead me to create a retreat that combines meditation and writing. During this program we slow down, unhook from our conventional lives, rest the mind in meditation, and then write to discover who we are, what we think, and what we need to express. It is meant for anyone who wants to reconnect with his or her authentic self. It also happens to be a fantastic way for those who write to take a deep dive into an existing project or start a new one—but no writing (or meditation) experience is necessary to take advantage of this program and receive its gifts.

So I suggested to my friend that he stop thinking and instead relax his mind. I suggested that he go on a meditation retreat and let the raging river of thought settle into a cool, clear stream where what is settled at the bottom is as evident as that which floats on the surface. This is how one makes space for wisdom to arise. I wish this for him, and I wish it for you.

Please email me if you think you might be interested in attending such a retreat, but think you can’t meditate, would never dare to call yourself a writer, or your life would fall apart if you walked out of it for 3 or 7 days. We could have a discussion.

VERMONT
September 18 – 25
Authentic Inspiration
Barnet, VT
Karme Choling
Program Fee: $675
This price includes meals but does not include accommodations. To view scholarship and financial assistance resources, click here.

COLORADO
October 23 – 25, 2009
Meditation and Creativity
Red Feather Lakes, CO
Shambhala Mountain Center
Program fee: $315 – $595, including $155 tuition, depending on lodging. Price is all-inclusive.

October 23 – 29, 2009
Meditation and Creativity: An Extended Retreat with Susan Piver
Red Feather Lakes, CO
Shambhala Mountain Center
Program fee: $495 – $1,055, including $195 tuition, depending on lodging. Price is all-inclusive.

PAST PARTICIPANTS
I had not written anything in a long time. The Writers’ Retreat gave me the space, time, and inward focus to let creativity happen naturally. I hadn’t realized how much I had to say.  The meditation aspect of the retreat provided a peaceful structure where writing could be a pleasure once again instead of work.

Anne, Boston, Realtor

This course helped me integrate meditation skills such as serenity, focus, compassion, and insight into the areas of poetry and fiction. I am extremely grateful!

Brian, Ithaca, College Student

The growth I experienced in a few days was life changing.

Britta, NYC, Graphic Designer

I cannot recommend this writing and meditation retreat enough! Susan’s carefully considered practice schedule offers precisely the right balance of meditation and space in which to write. Her teaching style allows for full creative expression to unfold because she neither interferes with the writing process, nor does she abandon the writer to his or her own devices. The result is a profound deepening of the work of writing and the practice of meditation. I left with a much more sophisticated understanding of how these two practices are not only complimentary, but how meditation is crucial to the life of the writer. This is a very rare opportunity for anyone, indeed.

Crystal, NYC, Novelist

Susan Piver is very wise, intuitive, and insightful and has had great impact, with a very light touch.

Gil, St. Johnsbury, VT, Corporate Consultant

Susan is a caring, compassionate person whose presence, insights, and instructions made for a valuable week exploring meditation practice and writing.

Heather R, Albany, Travel Writer

I can’t imagine any way to improve this program because it was more than I could have asked for.

Kathy, Cleveland, Librarian

Emotionally moving, spiritually a gift, cathartic beyond my wildest imagination.

Miriam, Cambridge, Waitress

I’m teaching a Writers’ Retreat at the beautiful Shambhala Mountain Center in CO, Oct 23-29. Come for the weekend only (Oct 23-25) or the whole thing! It is very conducive to writing. No cell phone reception, no email! Just peace, quiet, and words. This program is built for you if you’ve ever said any (or all) of the following:

I know exactly what I want to write, I just haven’t written it down yet.

I have no idea what I want to write, but I just know (hope, fear) that I am a writer.

I’ve been working on this story/chapter/article for a long time and I’m completely stuck about where it’s all going.

Every time I sit down to write, I can’t think of what to say. But I know the story is in there.

I’ve been stuck in the middle of this book/chapter/article for __ days/months/years/lifetimes and I can’t seem to get it finished.

I have a deadline approaching and I haven’t even written one word! Or I did, but I hate it.

Every time I sit down to write ________ distracts me.

I don’t have time to write!!

This 6-minute video explains what the program is like:

The Shambhala Lodge: has about 30 rooms, some private, some semi-private, some dorm rooms

Private room, private bath interior

Sacred Studies Hall: Where some programs are held

Inside a program room.

Join me at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge near Granada, Nicaragua from June 16-22 for a week of relaxation, writing, hiking, meditation, and exploring the beauty of Nicaragua.

Morgan’s Rock is more than just a hotel. It is a project of nature conservation, community development and reforestation offering Agro- and Ecotourism at its best. Morgan’s Rock is located at north of San Juan del Sur, in the department of Rivas, which lies just north of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It’s south of the colonial city of Granada and about two hours and a half from the Nicaragua’s capital, Managua.

Because the economy is so rotten, the price just went down!

Single Package – $2725
Doubles Package – $2475 per person

Price includes:

* 6 nights accommodations at Morgan’s Rock
* All Meals
* Roundtrip Ground Transportation to and from Managua International Airport
* Guided Hikes
* Group Meditation Sessions with Susan
* Group Creative Writing Sessions with Susan
* Local School Tour
* Tree Planting & Reforestation Tour
* Local Artisan’s Tour
* Colonial City of Granada Tour

If you sign up before April 20, there is is a discount of $250 per person.

Here is our tenative schedule:

It’s going to be incredible. Morgan’s Rock is exceptionally peaceful, beautiful, and completely soulful. Click here for more info about the program. E-mail me with any questions.

What past participants have said about the Writers’ Retreats:

“Susan is a caring, compassionate person whose presence, insights, and instructions made for a valuable week exploring meditation practice and writing.”  –H.R.

“Susan Piver is very wise, intuitive, and insightful and has had great impact, with a very light touch.” –G.S.

“This course helped me integrate meditation skills such as serenity, focus, compassion, and insight into the areas of poetry and fiction. Susan had a great presence and created a well-balanced program of sitting, writing, and discussion. I am extremely grateful!” –B.S.

“Susan was a phenomenal teacher/facilitator: powerful, generous presence, skillful, inspiring, uplifting, an ally, and strong leader.”  –L.E.

“I can’t imagine any way to improve this program because it was more than I could have asked for.” –K.H

“The growth I experienced in five days was life changing.” –B.L.

“Emotionally moving, spiritually a gift, cathartic beyond my wildest imagination.” –M.M

I’m teaching a workshop based on my upcoming book, The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. It will take place May  15-17 at beautiful Karme Choling Shambhala Meditation Center in Barnet, VT.

In the Shambhala tradition, a broken heart, rather than a problem to be solved, is considered a remarkable opportunity to discover your innate spiritual warriorship. Only by plunging into the depths of your heart can you achieve the self-knowledge and genuine presence that are associated with wisdom and personal power. And when your heart is broken, you really have no choice. Your insides have been turned upside down and your deepest fears and concerns are no longer manageable. You can’t run and you can’t hide and so it is time to meet them.

This weekend program will gently introduce you to the skills needed to work with a broken heart – not to drive it away or tie it up with a bow, but to find the message of wisdom contained in this most difficult situation.

You will learn meditation, the practice of loving kindness, and several on-the-spot techniques to use throughout the day. In addition, we will:

• Discuss the wisdom aspect of painful emotions
• Contemplate one’s history with such emotions
• Shift the emphasis from finding love to offering it as a way to reclaim power
• Learn to stabilize your heart in a state of openness

Whether your heart was broken yesterday or years ago, the elements needed to tread this path are present. As we progress, you will discover that gentleness, fearlessness, and intelligence are marks of spiritual warriorship and that the dark power of heartbreak can introduce you to them. If you stay with your broken heart, it will surely lead you down the path to wisdom.

It’s not expensive–$275, not including housing. Click here for more info.

Here is an excerpt from the book and a bit more detail about the weekend:

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Thanks so much for joining my session this morning, “Conquering Fear, Gaining Peace.” I truly hope it was helpful and you’re feeling gentle (toward yourself), taking delight (in others), and feeling confident (about life).

To stay in touch, please sign up for my newsletter which goes out about once a month and includes tips, info, and articles about meditation, courage, creativity, loving kindness, all that good stuff.

I really enjoyed the session myself. Here’s what it looks like where I was sitting when we spoke. Snowstorm outside. Cozy inside.

Here are some of the resources and exercises we discussed today:

Meditation Instruction
Click here for the following guided audio practices:

The Practice of Tranquility (10 minutes)
The Practice of Tranquility (20 minutes)

Loving kindness Meditation (10 minutes)
Loving kindness Meditation (25 minutes)

An Article I Wrote About Fear

Check out my book

A Special Offer for Virtual Retreat Participants!

I’d like to offer you a three-session package of one-to-one phone coaching to help you learn meditation
and integrate the principles of gentleness, delight, and confidence into your daily life. This package is good for people who are:

•    Battling fear & anxiety
•    Want to feel joy!
•    Want to free their creativity
•    Wish to develop a more loving relationship to themselves
•    Wish to develop more loving relationships with others
•    Are going through a transition

This package includes three 50-minute phone coaching sessions, one a week for three weeks. It also includes a 30-minute follow up one month later, plus light e-mail exchange as needed during the entire period.

Normally $600, I’d like to offer it to Virtual Retreat participants for $450.

E-mail me for more info.

The On-the-Spot Techniques We Discussed Today

When you notice fear arising…

When you encounter someone angry…

Loving kindness in the world…

Our backyard right now…the perfect day for a retreat…

Please join me for a 45-minute teleconference on meditation, spirituality, and courage on Sunday, January 18th 11A Eastern/8am Pacific and learn about fearlessness during scary times. I’d love to meet you and even though it sounds super-heavy, it’s actually fun to talk about this stuff.

Look at me, I’m smiling! And it’s my job to think about these things all day long.

If you can’t make it, recordings will be available after the call.

www.comfortretreats.com/susan

(which I’m participating in)

Jennifer Louden (the Comfort Queen) has put together a bunch of her pals (I’m honored to be one) who are also writers and teachers to launch her first ever Virtual Retreat. Check it out.

Comfort During Uncertain Times Virtual Retreat:
Finding Calm, Confidence and Contentment no Matter What

No need to travel the ends of the earth to find cool teachers to share their wisdom with you. From January 16-19, ten wonderful teachers will be available to speak with you about your personal needs and worries, and about how to navigate difficult times. My session, Conquering Fear, Gaining Peace is scheduled for Sunday January 18th at 8 am Pacific/ 11 am Eastern for 35  minutes. My session will cover:

• How to stay grounded in the moment when fear threatens to overwhelm you
• Calming down inner voices that talk of sure failure
• Practical ideas for dealing with anxious thoughts
• Step-by-step instructions on how to walk through your fears without becoming overwhelmed.

You’ll even be able to download the session if you can’t be there when it’s “live.”  It’s going to be amazing.

FREE GOODIE: The first 10 people who register for the retreat and sign up for my newsletter receive a free 45-minute class with me (by phone) to receive personal meditation instruction and discuss how to set up a home practice. Includes follow-up e-mail.

Other speakers will be leading these inspirational, helpful sessions:

Havi Brooks, Emergency Calming Techniques
Judith Orloff, Emotional Healing
Michael Neill, The Comfort of Your Innate Well-Being
Steve Chandler, Money Fear versus Money Self Esteerm
Geneen Roth, Overcoming Emotional Eating
Michael Bungay Stanier, Moving Towards Great Work
Laura Berman Fortgang, Life Satisfaction Expert
Barbara Sher, Re-energizing Your Career and Getting Into Action

To find out how to register for the Virtual Retreat, click HERE.

If you have any questions, e-mail me HERE.

Comfort Queen’s 2009 Virtual Retreat

Hosted by Jennifer Louden
January 16th-19th 2009

My session: Sunday January 18th at 8 am Pacific/ 11 am Eastern for 35  minutes
To register for the Virtual Retreat, click HERE.

About the retreat:

Comfort During Uncertain Times Virtual Retreat:
Finding Calm, Confidence, and Contentment No Matter What

Four exciting days of connection, encouragement, and empowerment that will change your life. Over the four-day “virtual retreat” you’ll be able to call in live to hear each of ten truly magnificent speakers and teachers connect with your personal needs and worries, speak to your hearts and help you learn how to navigate the uncertainty of the upcoming year with grace, calm and confidence. (And you’ll be able to download every session so even if your schedule tries to get in the way, you won’t miss a thing.)

On Sunday January 18th at 8 am Pacific/ 11 am Eastern for 35 minutes, I’ll be leading my session: Conquering Fear, Gaining Peace. If you tune in you’ll be able to hear me give you some great strategies you can use right now to:

* Stay grounded in the moment when fear threatens to overwhelm you

* Calm down inner voices that talk of sure failure

* Learn practical ideas for dealing with anxious thoughts

* Learn step-by-step instructions on how to walk through your fears without becoming overwhelmed.

Other speakers will be leading these inspirational, life changing sessions:

* Havi Brooks, Emergency Calming Techniques

* Judith Orloff, Emotional Healing

* Michael Neill, The Comfort of Your Innate Well-Being

* Steve Chandler, Money Fear versus Money Self Esteem

* Geneen Roth, Overcoming Emotional Eating

* Michael Bungay Stanier, Moving Towards Great Work

* Laura Berman Fortgang, Life Satisfaction Expert

* Barbara Sher, Re-energizing Your Career and Getting Into Action

To register for the Virtual Retreat, click HERE.

Join me in March for a lovely week of quiet and focus on creativity, spiritual practice, and generally remembering that you’re a human being. Open to writers of all sorts. Way fun, I promise. Not new age-y or weird.