This month I’ve been away on a silent retreat for 10 days based on the Greater Mandala of Uselessness. On returning, as usual, I had a flood of emails – mostly now deleted because they are out of date, but a few were inspirational and still relevant:
‘Quest for the Enlightened Feminine’
Anna Howard’s book ‘Quest for the Enlightened Feminine,’ in which with such honesty, she intimately shares her story of immense courage and devotion in her quest. Can traditional spiritual practices bring about radical change for a happier existence in modern life? Who, or what, is the ‘Enlightened Feminine’ and how did a vision of Jesus lead to the discovery of Tara in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition?
Sunday 25th May, 7pm -8.30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/782496943?pwd=UXNzRXZWcWRrWlNoSkxyOWR4WlFDQT09
Meeting ID: 782 496 943
Passcode: 031886
Bio: Anna Howard, M.A. (Oxon), is an Oxford-educated student of Buddhism. A life-changing dream encounter with Jesus the Christ propels former broadcaster and healer Anna Howard on a profound journey of spiritual awakening. Anna gave up a life of comfort to search for a deeper meaning in life. Her experience of Buddhism inspired her to seek the feminine face of God, which included an 18-month Tara pilgrimage around the world.
Anna is a workshop facilitator, teacher, healer, retreat-leader and writer, whose work focuses on the healing and transformative energies of Tara. She lives in Dorset.
Anna’s book is published by Findhorn Press. It’s called Quest for the Enlightened Feminine: Faith, Tara and the Path of Compassion. Click here for more information. Her website can be found here: www.white-tara.co.uk
Two Rivers by Simon Millward
Copies available through Simon, email at s.d.millward@googlemail.com £12 plus postage and packing
Beyond the mist If you don’t wait for it to disperse but push on through grasping at nothing and allowing forms to take shape – the edge of the track, a hedgerow, signpost, the lake getting closer, an orange hint of melting sun at your feet –
these objects and colours which language gives a name to all slowly uncovered in a half remembering world
but the loneliness of the blue distance that is something words can never explain. (cover image by Ruth Bateman)
Simon attended most if not all Wolf at the Door retreats in Dhanakosa with Manjusvara and Ananda. After Manjusvara died, we set-up The Poet’s Way in his memory, which has been meeting monthly for 12+ years. (see below).
Mirrorball Museletter for Poetry Lovers everywhere
Apply for Clydebuilt 18 In partnership with Edwin Morgan Trust, we are excited to launch our call for emerging poets to apply for Clydebuilt 18 . . . .The Glasgow network of poets and poetry lovers. click on link above for more details. On Thursday 1st May we have another wonderful line-up of poets to showcase: Romalyn Ante, Juana Adcock, Iona Lee, Lesley Benzie, Donna Campbell and Linda Jackson. The event will be live at Waterstones – Sauchiehall Street – Lower Ground Floor (with an online link sent to members). 7pm-9pm (doors open 6.30pm), Waterstones, 153-157 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3EW. Wheelchair accessible. Tickets: £7 / £5 conc. on the door / Mirrorball members free Ages: 18+
New Moon Writing with Linda France
Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. Here’s the zoom link
New Moon Writing Hour Monday 28th April 4 to 5pm
I also recommend Linda’s Startlings.
Painting the rainbow: tai chi, poetry and meditation
19 September, 2025 – 26 September, 2025 – residential
Led by: Sukhema, Linda France, Jayaraja
to find out more and book a place, click on link above
The Poet’s Way 2025 – Sunday 4th May 5:15pm.
2025 dates: 1st June, 6th July, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December. Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS),
The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & enhance our spiritual practice. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated. Also please bring writing materials and vege food-to-share during a comfort break. Our programme includes a guided meditation inspired by poetry, and small groups for close reading and appreciation of poetry.
i.m. Gerry Loose Sunday 25th May all day
There will be a memorial event in the Kibble Palace of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens where Gerry was poet-in-residence for a few years – including a walking renga and an open mic. Gerry has left a legacy of installations carved in stone. The event will be in collaboration with Lapidus Scotland, The Scottish Writers’ Centre, and the Glasgow Botanic Garden. Readers include: Sukhema, dogo (greum maol stevenson), Gerrie Fellows, Alec Finlay, Maggie Graham, Tom Murray, Robyn Marsack and Ian Stephen, with contributions from Graham Hartill and David Kinloch who can’t be there in person. Hosted by Ken Cockburn. Please book your place via Eventbrite for the renga and the readings.
PlaySpace Publications 