Summer Solstice Poet’s Way on zoom
Poets’ Way on the Summer Solstice 21st June 7:15 UK-time, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Dates to be confirmed. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArd-CvrDgsHtK7ay22KNC1ll3o8YLAMO9Y After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Poet’s Way “live” on Sunday 7th July
Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm and with one short comfort break and a longer 30 to 40 minute break for refreshment and writing time. Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS), sharing space with the Glasgow Unitarian Church. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated.
The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & 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”).
New Moon Writing Hour with Linda France
Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. I hope you’re well and enjoying the longer days. Looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it along to our next Writing into Being Writing Hour Thursday 4th July 4 – 5pm BST. Here’s the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88974309962
Dance of the Elements 4 Oct to 11 Oct 2024
A retreat expanding our horizons through language: opening to the wisdom of the body and integrating our heart and head. Each move in Tai Chi is a metaphor. The structured forms provide an inspiring backdrop for the creation of rhythmic patterns with words. Tai Chi, writing & poetry have much in common: form, structure, sensitivity and a striving towards wholeness. Clouds like thoughts come and go; inspired by the surrounding mountains, lochs & sky, we will combine writing with movement and mindfulness for our own wellbeing and for all living beings everywhere. This week of Tai Chi, writing and meditation will trace our intimate relation to the dance of the elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, and Consciousness – with an overall theme of impermanence. Whatever arises from our practice we will use to play with the reality of our interconnectedness – write about it and share our stories.
About the retreat team Sukhema (www.playspacepublications.com will lead some of the movement/taiji sessions Linda Francehttps://www.lindafrance.co.uk/ will lead the writing sessions Jayaraja (https://www.dhanakosa.com/retreat-leaders/jayaraja) will lead the meditations.
Booking and more information: https://www.dhanakosa.com/how-book
Sheila Templeton 1941 to 2024
For the memorial event in Glasgow’s Westend Festival I read extracts from an unpublished essay by Sheila Templeton: Poetry as an expression of spiritual unity. And Chrissie Carey and Sheila did the same meditation practice, and in the 24 years she knew her, she has absolutely no idea why she never told her that she was so uplifting. So, she’s told us then by reading sheila’s poem: Living With Mrs Ego
PS. I was shocked by the tragic sudden death of Dr. Michael Mosely a couple of weeks ago. I highly recommend his 15 minutes podcasts called “JUST ONE THING” and the link is to his recent podcast on the benefits of reading poetry aloud and writing poetry to enhance your well-being.
And a final note I’ve been reflecting on this short poem:
C O U R A G E
You can certainly do it.
That’s what people said.
You must work up your courage.
That’s what people said.
So I did.
I worked up my courage.
I worked up my courage and I said:
I can’t do it.
Lee Kyu-gyeong
PlaySpace Publications 