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Virtual Vacation: Our Writing Circle Has Begun, Day 9

August 15, 2013 By Laura Davis 8 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

Our writing retreat officially began last night with a surprise—a traditional Scottish welcome.

We all passed under these swords, were given a handshake and an ancient Celtic greeting, had some delicious snacks, and if we wanted it, a bit of whiskey.

After a wonderful salmon dinner, we had an opening ceremony, Findhorn-style, led by Newbold House trustee, Elly Stuart. We did what is known in Findhorn parlance as an attunement—a way of getting the whole group to tune into each other’s energy. We played some simple getting-to-know-you games and then had a chance to introduce ourselves.

We took turns sharing how and why we came to the retreat. I was moved by the incredible coincidences, intuition, serendipity, and passionate certainty that led each of us to choose this experience. And I had the feeling I always do when a new retreat is about to begin—awe at the potential of everyone in the room—each one a bud about to flower.

Elly warned us that this region—the Findhorn region—gives everyone exactly what they need, though not always the way they want it. People go through changes very fast, she told us. Expect intensity.

Her words reminded me of what a German man told me at my first breakfast here at Newbold: “This house is the perfect place for a retreat. Nothing much happens on the outside, but on the inside, everything happens.” And then he made a gesture of a volcano exploding.

I couldn’t wait to see what the next ten days would bring—for all of us.

This morning, we all gathered for our first writing circle. I couldn’t believe that after so many months of preparation, this retreat had actually materialized. Those of us meant to be in this room were here, ready to begin.

I always find the start of a retreat thrilling–the moment when I step our from under the constraints of my daily self, the ordinary Laura, into being the teacher. All my years of practice and experience, and the months of planning and orchestrating fall away. When it comes right down to it, leading a retreat is about receptivity, openness, and presence.

I began, as I always do, by going over the groundrules that make a writing circle safe, explaining the particulars of confidentiality. I asked each writer to make it a point to take a risk every day—but made it clear that the risk could be small, something that might not be considered risky by anyone else—eating a new food, initiating a conversation with someone from another country or culture, reading their work out loud in our group, not wearing makeup when they usually wear makeup, taking a walk to town alone—something just beyond their comfort zone.

I stressed was the importance of respect—honoring each others’ differences,  approaching their fellow writers with curiosity, rather than criticism.

And then I taught the basics of writing practice, as developed by Natalie Goldberg in her classic book Writing Down the Bones, and we began to write. As I heard the responses to these early prompts, I listened closely and with joy, once again filled with the power of words to illuminate our lives and take us—and each other—on journeys to places undiscovered and unknown.

I handed everyone a tiny little notebook with which to develop their writer’s eyes,  writer’s senses and writer’s habits—and instructed them to move through their days and our outings and adventures with the skin of a writer. “I expect you to have these little notebooks and pens with you at all times,” I told them, “I want to see you writing all the time—and I know you want to make your teacher happy.”

Then I gave them each a workbook, specially created for this trip, to store their daily memories in, and I encouraged everyone to develop the habit of sitting at night, every night, for a time of reflection, pausing to record the days’ events, challenges and insights. I closed our first session with the following poem, an excerpt from Julia Cameron’s memoir, Floor Sample:

There are many things which resist naming,
And that is why we write.
We write because language is slippery,
And the truth is.
We write because
The light we have to see by
Is always shifting.

Never forget that writers are prophets.
We speak in tongues.
We testify.
We are for each other a believing mirror.
Our words make us visible.
Our listening makes us heard.

Never forget that writers are soldiers.
Our writing is the long march,
The walk into time.
Each word is a drum.
We sound it across great distances,
Reaching one another and ourselves.
Every poem is a day’s march.
A celebration more necessary than water or wine.
Every poem is a drink of blood.

Never forget that writing is an act of courage —
Not on the days when it is simple and we discount it.
Not on the days when it is hard and we write like sand.
Our words are torches.
We pass them hand in hand
And mouth to mouth
Like a burning kiss.

Never forget to say thank you.
Every syllable is a grace.

Tonight, we are going on a tour of Findhorn, something I am very much looking forward to. We will all be there with our little notebooks, each of us searching for the particular story thread we want to follow and record. I, of course, will share mine with you tomorrow.

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

« Previous Post: Virtual Vacation: On The Road To The Distillery, Day 8
Next Post: Virtual Vacation: The Magic of Findhorn, The Magic of The Pub, Day 10 »

Comments

  1. Asma says

    August 16, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Inspiring!

    Reply
  2. Adrienne Drake says

    August 16, 2013 at 10:20 am

    The poem brought forth tears, and deep joy that someday, I too, may be able to call myself a “writer.”

    Reply
  3. Lucy says

    August 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I feel the power of the retreat in your words and within the setting. Today I’m going to take a risk and put words to paper using the power I’m feeling. Thank you!

    Reply
  4. MaryL says

    August 17, 2013 at 8:13 am

    “There are many things which resist naming, And that is why we write.
    We write because language is slippery, And the truth is. We write because
    The light we have to see by Is always shifting.” Yes, I have been stuck for the very reasons named in this stanza … language is slippery … the light is shifting … someone I counted on seems too far away … I must write, though it may be painful. Thanks for sharing your journey….

    Reply
  5. Hazel says

    August 17, 2013 at 8:25 am

    Laura,
    I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this journey. I find your writing very descriptive and I feel like I am really being taken along, in your pocket so to speak.

    There is quite a difference from your writing in the last journey blog. It seems to be more consistent, more measured. I would love to be there in those gardens with their “string bean archways.” To talk to the Scottish milk cows, and write about it all with you.

    Thank you for this journey.

    Reply
    • MaryL says

      August 17, 2013 at 9:53 am

      Hazel, I’m a city girl, and I’ve never milked a cow, or fed the chickens, but I feel like the farm atmosphere is right outside my back door…. the scents, the colors, the majestic foliage, the sounds whispers and shouts … I invite them in for the day. Thanks for you fine responses – you inspire me.

      Reply
  6. Bobbie Anne says

    August 23, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Laura,

    Thank you! I’m a writer and a poet. Wow, The lines ‘every poem is a day’s march” and ‘Every poem is a drink of blood’. I wish I wrote those powerful and true insightful lines. It is so freeing yet so difficult to write. I am compelled to write because I must write. Yes, my poems are a drink of blood. It’s painful indeed. May I have another cup?

    Love,
    Bobbie Anne

    Reply
  7. Joanie says

    September 1, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    I love the photo of the redhead in blue walking under the swords. She looks so sassy and buoyant in the middle of all that traditionalism.

    You have an artist’s eye for photography, Laura. Are these cell phone pics, or do you have a camera that you use? If so, what is it? Great color and light.

    Reply

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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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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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