Letting Go
Image credit: ‘The Jump’ by Louise Humphrey
I enjoyed leading these three workshops. Here are two comments from participants:
“The workshops exceeded my expectations in terms of the professional technical support, the kind and sensitive approach, the materials and exercises. The break-out / harvesting format allowed me to meet kindred spirits. The experience enabled me to make time and space to address my fears and worries.”
“Just a big thank you for the input from Autumn Voices. This set of workshops was an excellent initiative for those who have begun to feel that the “normal” social spaces (eg school and work) don’t exist anymore. The workshops provided a challenging and socially stimulating space to grow“
More to follow – two more series of Letting Go Workshops on zoom in March and April. Click here for more details and booking.
On Wednesday 24th June there will be a Letting Go Symposium in Stirling – live and on zoom. Details and booking will be in the March Autumn Voices newsletter. AV will publish an anthology featuring a new writing by each of the On-line Writers in Residence, and texts by workshop participants. The project concludes on 24th June 2026 with a public, hybrid Round Table event in Stirling, with the four OWRs and other speakers reflecting on the project, and considering older people’s creativity.
Linda France‘s Writing Hours Monday 17th February 4 to 5pm
I find the New Moon Writing Hour with Linda on zoom a boost to my commitment to free-write everyday. . I also recommend Linda’s Startlings, which are rich with ideas, books, and reflections on her life as a writer. She reaches out to other writers and readers inviting comments and seeking mutual inspiration. Her most recent Startling is called Rufus’s First Shoes – after reading her post, I was almost voiceless wordless and tearful as I read. It is certainly startling and a wake-up call for all of us. Linda’s bold and articulate words, inspirational links encourages all to step up and do what we can to make our world safer and healthies. As one of her readers wrote:
The words of the Dalai Lama often buzz into my thoughts when I become despondent ‘ if you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.’
The Poet’s Way Sunday 14th February 5:15 to 9pm
The next Poet’s Way is on Valentines Day – 14th February – a love-in with love poems galore!! or whatever you’d like to share that gives you that warm loveable feeling.
You are invited by Sukhema to the next Poet’s Way:
Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm
Venue:Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS)
Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of one poem you want appreciated. And bring vege food to share during the comfort break
The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment and enhance our spiritual practice. Inspired by Manjusvara’s book The Poet’s Way (Jane Hirshfield says ‘this book offers warm-hearted, step-by-step awakening into the possibilities and powers of poems’).
EASE – End of Life Skills for Everyone
Four sessions: 27th Feb, 6th, 13th, 20th March from 3 to 5pm
Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St., Glasgow G3 7DS, UK
EASE Course facilitators:
Sukhema: leads writing groups in healthcare settings. Sukhema is facilitator trainer in the Work That Reconnects and Lapidus Scotland. Editor of the book Living Our Dying.
Jacqui Fernie: works at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice supporting people and communities to talk about death, dying, and loss.
End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone is a course designed to enable people to be more comfortable and confident supporting family and community members with issues they face during dying, death and bereavement.
The course has been developed by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care .
Who is the EASE course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to be able to support someone with issues they face relating to death, dying and bereavement. This is likely to include:
- People who might not currently have caring responsibilities but who wish to be equipped to provide basic support for friends, family or community members who are either approaching the end of life, or who are supporting someone who is.
- People who are caring for family or friends whose health is deteriorating and who are likely to die.
- People who expect to soon be caring for family or friends experiencing declining health and who are likely to be approaching the end of life.
More information about EASE is available here: End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone
Further information and to book a place email: dh.sukhema@gmail.com
Warm greetings and wishing you well🙏🌈🌀
Sukhema
Climate Stories
What do people in Scotland think and feel about climate change? We’re collecting stories from people around Scotland for a research project at the University of Glasgow. . . . Read more on the website click on the link and submit your story.
Climate Writing Workshops
Alongside the call for submissions is an invitation to join a series of Writing the Climate Workshops in the Pear Building of Glasgow University – these are part of a PhD research project:
Climate Writing workshops on Wednesdays 12:30 to 14:30 – six sessions: 25th February; 4th March; 11th March; 1st April; 15th April; 22nd April.
For more information and to book a place on the workshops, email Sukhema: playspacepublications@gmail.com
Work That Reconnects Retreats and Workshops
Coming Back to Life at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre – Saturday 28th March 5:15 to 9pm
Waking Up our Ecological Selves on Holy Isle – 14th to 18 May 2026
for more information and booking email: info@livingmindfulness.net
active hope for humanity
12 June, 2026 – 19 June, 2026 Led by: Smritiratna, Sukhema, Candradhi, Amayaraja
White Crane Spreads Wings
tai chi, writing and meditation 18 September, 2026 – 25 September, 2026
A residential retreat in Dhanakosa Led by: Sukhema & Jayaraja & Shubhalila
A retreat expanding our horizons through language: opening to the wisdom of the body and integrating our head and heart. Tai chi, writing and meditation have much in common: form, structure, sensitivity and a striving towards wholeness.
Each move in tai chi is a metaphor and the structured forms of the practice provide an inspiring backdrop for the creation of rhythmic patterns with words. Clouds like thoughts come and go; inspired by the surrounding mountains, water and sky, we will combine writing with movement and mindfulness for our own well-being and for all living beings everywhere.
This retreat will trace our intimate relation to each other and our earth. Whatever arises from our practice we will use to play with the reality of our interconnectedness – write about it and share our stories.
This retreat is suitable for complete beginners to meditation and tai chi as well as being an ideal refresher for those who already have some experience. For more information, read the retreat information sheet.
PS: I Am Because We Are
You are warmly invited to read my never ending story and add your own story and comments. You can subscribe free for monthly chapters.
PlaySpace Publications 