Laura Davis

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Virtual Vacation, Learning to See, Learning to Listen, Day 11

August 17, 2013 By Laura Davis No Comments - Read & Respond

This morning in writing group, I gave some instruction in close observation and then sent everyone out into the garden in silence. I asked them to choose one square foot of nature, something they found beautiful (a flower, a kale plant, a turned bed in the garden), and to sit in front of it, observing that one square intently for a minimum of half hour—and then to write about what they saw.

I asked them to remain in silence—not to talk to their fellow students or to any of the workers in the garden so this could remain a private, intimate exercise.

When they came back after an hour, I asked each writer in turn to describe the experience. Here’s some of what they said:

“I was in awe at how much I miss in my daily life.”

“I loved having the time.”

“It was a portal to deeper reflection.”

 “Everything disappeared but that one square.”

“That square, that plant, became part of me.”

“I was amazed at how much I saw as time went on.”

“It was gratitude that I felt.”

Here’s a sample of the writing that came out of this exercise. This piece is by Talin Vartanian, who offered to let me share it here with you:

One Hour With One Square Foot

It looks delicate, but look again. The mauve-pink petals are as sturdy as the crepe paper we used in grade four crafts class, the same ragged edges and wrinkled.

It looks like a single, unified bloom, but look again. There are five distinct parts that overlap in a subtle way, creating the illusion they are one.

It looks symmetrical, but look again. The lighter-coloured veins form a map, with lines that tell a story, waiting for the floral palmist to read into its destiny.

It looks feminine, but look again. It has a penis protruding from the centre, erect, white, statuesque, but like no penis I’ve ever experienced. This one has a textured core, resembling a vertical, velvety cauliflower. (Wouldn’t that be interesting?)

It looks like it has a starburst centre, but look again. It’s more like an array of bloodshot eyes, regretting last night’s one drink too many.

It seems quiet, but check again. This is the sanctuary for the bees, looking for a haven from the chaos of the comb.

It smells of nothing, but sniff again, for the aroma of day-old cut grass.

It looks young and vibrant, but look again.  This is a bloom of wisdom, revealing soft wrinkles, like a newborn baby with the face of an old man.

The hibiscus.

This afternoon was free. Some people went into town for an adventure, some napped, some wrote, a couple volunteered around Newbold House, and a group of us took a felt-making class.

This evening after dinner, we had our second writing session of the day. People went deeper than they had before, touching into more raw and vulnerable places. Afterwards we all gathered in the dining room for a coffeehouse arranged by our hosts, Robyn and Geoff—they’d invited a wonderful Scottish folk singer to perform for us. We listened to his music, sometimes singing along, and had wild berry pie. Afterwards, many of us went outside to the side of the Newbold property, where there is a large fire pit, to join in on a going away party for couple of the Newbold workers who were leaving.

Around the fire, I chatted with people from England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Pakistan and Italy, while being serenaded by guitar and songs in several languages. One young Italian man set up a series of glasses with water in the firelight and played a lively tune on the water glasses. Then he stood up on a tree trunk and belted out a passionate love song in Italian, his thank you for the hospitality Newbold House has shown him.

The party was still going when I turned in at midnight. It was hard to tear myself away, but I knew I had to get up and work in the morning—that I’d have another writing class to teach.

It was another amazing night in Scotland.

Filed Under: Scotland, The Virtual Vacation Tagged With: Scotland, travel, travel adventure, write travel transform, writing retreat, writing workshop

« Previous Post: Virtual Vacation: The Magic of Findhorn, The Magic of The Pub, Day 10
Next Post: Virtual Vacation: Viking in a Kilt, Day 12 »

Comments

  1. Amanda Cisco says

    August 17, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    I truly love these posts from Bali and from Scotland. I look forward to them each day and devour them by pushing the read more button right at first so I don’t have to interrupt my reading. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Laura Davis says

      August 17, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      Audrey, thank you so much for taking the time to write in and tell me. As you know, we writers love an audience. It’s readers like you who encourage me to keep the blog going, day after day. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the journey. I hope you write back again soon!

      Reply
  2. Adrienne Drake says

    August 18, 2013 at 10:23 am

    This sounds like such a wonderful, magical and synchronicitous journey. It is the first email I read each morning… and it sets a lyrical tone for the rest of the day.
    I look forward to reading more of the writings of your students. I loved Talins description of the hibiscus!

    Reply
  3. Bobbie Anne says

    August 23, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Laura,

    I loved that the writers got to spend time and write about that one square of living nature. That is meditation and healing too.

    Love,

    Bobbie Anne

    Reply
  4. Joanie says

    September 1, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Laura, Robyn has always hosted great events. She really gets the hospitality arts and she is talented with them. Go, Robyn!

    So far, this trip sounds very sensual!

    Reply

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More Featured Students?

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Featured Students

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Like this Virtual Vacation?

You can also read about Laura’s travels to:

Peru 2017

In which Laura and Karyn and 18 writers explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Peru.

Serbia 2017

In which Laura leads a workshop at the Incest Trauma Center.

Greece 2016

In which Laura explores the wonders of Crete and Santorini with a wide-eyed group of Write, Travel, Transform adventurers.

Vietnam 2015/16

In which Laura, who grew up during the Vietnam War, goes to Southeast Asia and finds out what Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are really like today.

Commonweal 2015

A journey toward healing loss and grief in a magnificent Northern California setting.

Scotland 2015

In which Laura returns to Scotland with a new group for another jaunt through the wonders of the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland 2013

In which Laura attends the Edinburgh theatre festival and leads 14 writers to a magical retreat in the highlands of Northern Scotland.

Bali 2013

In which Laura visits Australia, and spends three weeks diving, exploring, and teaching in three regions of Bali.

Florida 2014

A journey into old age in America in which Laura brings her 86-year-old mother to Florida so she can see her last surviving sister one final time.

Mexico 2014

In which Laura attends the San Miguel Writer’s Conference and explores the artistic towns around Patzcuaro.

About Laura Davis

In the course of my career as a communicator, I have also worked as a columnist, talk show host, radio reporter, radio producer, blogger, editor, and speaker. Words have always been at the core of my work and my self-expression. Read More . . .

Photo taken by Jason Ritchey

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What People Are Saying About Laura Davis:

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Retreating with Laura: Julie Sheehan

Julie Sheehan

For many years I put off my dream of writing and traveling. I told myself the kids were too little, my husband could never survive without me, that I couldn't possibly be so selfish. I couldn't imagine realistically stepping out of all of my responsibilities and roles. Then I started attending Laura’s summer retreat at Commonweal in northern California and that became an annual gift to myself for the next three years.

When the opportunity to travel with Laura internationally came up, my Land of Later mentality said I could never pull it off. But when my friend got cancer at age 39, I decided to stop taking life and it's endless opportunities to grow, live, nurture and explore myself for granted.

My children were 6 and 9 when I began allowing myself the luxurious pleasure of taking 10 days to two weeks each year to travel abroad with Laura, to spend time with like minded, soul searching people who share a passion for living and writing, to have all my meals prepared for me, to have the space and freedom to stretch out of my cage and check in with who I am, what I want, and how best to get there.

Laura is a skilled and nurturing teacher who encourages her students to take risks, to grow as human beings, and to be vulnerable. She has provided me with a forum where I can gain all my CEUs and learn techniques on how to become a more engaging writer, all while completing yearly emotional rehab.

I return home from each of Laura’s trip a little wiser, a little more open, and a lot more compassionate. I greet my family, friends and daily life with sparkly, clean energy and a renewed patience, brought about by way of re-writing old stories that I needed to let go of. I come home ready to move forward in my life.

A retreat with Laura Davis is one of the best gifts I ever received and gave myself. It took many years to realize that I was worth the time and financial investment, but now there is no looking back.

Julie Sheehan, Livermore California

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