Wintering: A Creativity & Grief Retreat to Rest, Remember & Release

We're excited to welcome Robin Bradford, a chaplain, grief tender and artist to lead this workshop.

“Wintering,” is a word coined by author Katherine May in her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. At this retreat, we will “winter” with the support of guided meditation, learning about grief, silent time, a “letting go” ritual, and by creating a talisman for our way forward.

We will all be making a little something—a poem, a collage, and/or mindful photographs (using your cellphone). You do not need any experience. Every one of us is naturally creative. Just as a fallen tree is fuel for so much life, our grief is a source of creativity and transformation.

This retreat is perfect for you if:

• You have lost someone or something you loved (freshly or long ago).
• Your grief was not met by others; you heard it was “too much” or you “should be over it.”
• You are grieving a person, animal, relationship, job, or your sense of self due to illness or life transition (post-college, mid-life, empty nest, retirement)
• You are grieving our earth due to climate change.
• You are grieving the loss of how you thought things would be—for yourself, for your community, for your country or the world.
• You are a caregiver for a loved one and/or are experiencing anticipatory grief.
• You feel alone on your path of grief.
• You want to learn how to meet your grief with compassion so that you can feel joy, inner spaciousness, and belonging!
• You are 16 years old or older.

Robin Bradford is an experienced teacher and guide. A graduate of the Upaya Buddhist Chaplaincy program, Robin has also studied with Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief. A longtime practitioner of Zen Buddhism and a trained yoga teacher, she has led meditation and writing retreats and community grief rituals. As an artist, she sews quilts for magic, beauty, snuggling, and to remember. Learn more: sweetspotsoulcare.com 



Bring with you:

• Your lunch (there’s a fridge and microwave in the beautiful kitchen)
• Your journal (a spiral notebook is fine)
• Something that reminds you of your loss (a photo, rock, or other small object) to put on the group altar
• Shoes for walking in nature
• A sweater, shawl or small weighted blanket or pillow if you have one
• Yoga mat for your own practice (if you like)

What will be provided:

• A cozy, safe place to rest, connect with your grief, and witness others’ grief
  
• A 26-acre nature preserve with a labyrinth for meditative walking, nature trails, and creek.
  
• Coffee, tea, chocolate and other snacks.
  
• Old magazines and papers, glue, and scissors for making a collage
  
• Writing prompts
  
• Oracle cards to consult on your own
  
• Robin's collection of books on grief to peruse on your own
  
• An opportunity to sign up for 1:1 time with Robin.

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2025

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Five Oak Ranch

Food: Bring your own lunch. Coffee, tea, water, and snacks will be provided.

Cost: $50-150 sliding scale

To learn more and to register  click here