Category — retreats & workshops

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.

JUNE 16-22, 2009
MORGAN’S ROCK HACIENDA & ECO-LODGE
SAN JUAN del SUR, NICARAGUA

CLICK here TO REGISTER

Join New York Times best-selling author and Buddhist teacher Susan Piver for a week of relaxation, writing, hiking, and fun day trips. Give yourself the gift of immersion in your own writing and enjoy the company of fellow-writers. Learn how to meditate and explore the relationship between meditation and creativity.

Open to writers of all genres and styles, published and unpublished. Bring existing projects, new ideas, or simply the wish to explore your own creativity. In paradise.

“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

“Susan Piver is very wise, intuitive, and insightful and has had great impact, with a very light touch.” Gil D, St. Johnsbury, VT, Corporate Consultant & Business Writer

“Emotionally moving, spiritually a gift, cathartic beyond my wildest imagination.” Miriam L, Cambridge, Essayist

Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge is more than just a hotel or luxury resort. It is a unique and natural haven for the true traveler who is looking for a touch of luxury while enjoying the adventure and excitement of an exotic and tropical destination. But most importantly, it is a project of nature conservation, community development and reforestation offering Agro and Ecotourism at its best.

Enjoy the solitary companionship of one of Nicaragua ’s most beautiful beaches while slipping back into your spacious private bungalow overlooking Pacific sunsets and tropical wildlife.

The hacienda is located just north of San Juan del Sur, about a 45-minute drive from the Costa Rican border and two hours from the colonial city of Granada in southern Nicaragua. Endowed with a private, white-sanded beach visited by sea turtles to lay their eggs, the hacienda also hosts its own primary tropical dry forest ecosystem.

“The room was exquisite, spacious with an amazing view. The daybed on the porch was a sweet way to feel time slip away. The beach was absolutely perfect beyond belief, from the cabanas to the hammocks to the warm waters; and we were almost virtually alone! The cocktails were delicious, the pool (along with every other aspect) is beautifully designed. And once again, the staff was wonderful.” –Gay Kalember & Adrianna Pavloff

For a tour of Morgan’s Rock, have a look at this short video clip.

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Morgan’s Rock is part of a full-scale tree farming, reforestation and conservation project that extends over 1,800 hectares. And the rooms are gor-geous. In fact, the whole place is gorgeous. It’s been reviewed favorably by Conde Nast, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, and so on.

Join me June 16-22 for this amazing retreat. You’ll have plenty of time to sink into your writing, and we’ll also share day-trips, hikes, and fun, focused group conversation about our work.

CLICK here TO REGISTER

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Authentic Inspiration: A Retreat for Writers
Karme Choling Shambhala Meditation Center
Barnet, VT June 29 – July 6
$675
Register

“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. Susan led each day with a purposeful blend of meditation practice and writing sessions and I appreciated the fruits that came from a firm but generous schedule.” –A.B., Boston

What do writers want more than anything in the world? Time to write. Yet even if such precious time could be found, it’s not always easy to settle into the writing groove.

Get away to Karme Choling, a beautiful Buddhist retreat center in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and spend five full days on writing and your own unique voice.

In addition to plenty of personal writing time, quiet, and the supportive (but non-intrusive!) presence of other writers, the program will include daily meditation practice and simple creativity exercises. Although the focus will be on individual work, there will be opportunities for moderated discussion of each other’s writing.

Open to writers of fiction and non-fiction, published and unpublished. Bring your ideas, works-in-progress, or simply your wish to devote attention to your creativity.

No meditation experience required. Instruction will be offered.

Join me and yoga teacher extraordinaire, Dana Strong for a life-changing journey to Cambodia and Vietnam. Through the practices of meditation and yoga, the exoticism of the outward journey will be matched by a deep inner journey. We will travel to such sacred sites as Angkor Wat and the Perfume Pagoda, as well as to the center of our own hearts and minds.

Both Dana and I are students of Shambhala Buddhism and there will be an emphasis on serious fun. Serious. Fun.

The lovely and totally excellent Dana Strong

Dana has been teaching yoga nationally and internationally since 1998. She has studied extensively with Rodney Yee and in NY with Genny Kapuler and others. She was a senior teacher at Om Yoga Center. She has completed the Graduate Program of Buddhist Studies at the New York Shambala Center. Dana’s teaching draws on her current Iyengar studies as well as her practice of meditation. She combines the fluidity of breath with precision of alignment based on personal intuition and the experience of her students. Her classes are known to be challenging but playful. She teaches and practices yoga to bring ideas and action together, creating a relaxed body and a wakeful mind.

She is also a graduate student at Columbia University, where she is focusing on Buddhist-Christian dialogue.

Please join me for a 5-day Meditation Retreat for Writers.

Which I happen to love, love, love teaching. And would love, love, love to see you there. Of course.

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, Office Manager & Memoirist

If you’ve promised yourself to set aside time for writing but never seem to get around to it, this program is for you. It invites you to drop everything and tune into your own authentic voice. The moment you make this commitment–and give yourself the support of meditation and a non-intrusive community of fellow-writers–the words will flow. They truly will.

May 11-16 Kripalu, Lenox, MA

June 29-July 5 Karme Choling, Barnet, VT

This is what happens on the retreat:
Writer and teacher Susan Piver creates a warm but focused environment in which to reflect and create. The majority of time will be spent on personal writing projects.

Meditation, journaling, and lots of time for personal writing create a sense of flow and deep connection to your authentic voice.

Evenings are spent in group discussion. Each student will have a chance to read his or her work and receive feedback.

Meditation instruction will be offered; no prior experience needed.

Open to writers of fiction and non-fiction, published and unpublished.

You’ll leave the program inspired and relaxed, having written a lot.

Here are some nice things people have said about this retreat:
Susan Piver is very wise, intuitive, and insightful and has had great impact, with a very light touch.
Gil, St. Johnsbury, VT, Corporate Consultant & Business Writer

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 & Poet

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 & Writing Teacher

I can’t imagine any way to improve this program because it was more than I could have asked for.
Kathy, Cleveland, Librarian & Memoirist

The growth I experienced in five days was life changing.
Britta, NYC, Graphic Designer & Memoirist

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

Emotionally moving, spiritually a gift, cathartic beyond my wildest imagination.
Miriam, Cambridge, Waitress & Essayist

It’s really fun, I swear.