The First Green of Spring
Back from the Gower Peninsula where I’ve been on a meditation retreat January and February. Apart from meditating eight times a day with thirty-three other humans and invisible friends, most days I wandered through woods, along cliffs, paddles in the sea, and collected wee pebbles (like haikus) such as:
lost again on a walk
“with 3000 chestnut horses in my heart”
along the way with binoculars
I admire birds of prey’s graceful flight
Before we started one of the meditations I was invited to read The First Green of Spring by David Budbill. I gave it my best broad American accent!
And from the beginning of February I foraged wild garlic everyday for pestos and garnishes.
The Poets’ Way continues on the 7th April in-person
The Poet’s Way explores the potency in words and poetic expression to complement and enhance our spiritual practice. It was formed in 2012 and is inspired by Manjusvara and his books.We do activities based around free writing and meditation. You can bring 4 copies of a poem for appreciation – your own or a favourite published poem Jane Hirshfield describes The Poet’s Way book as offering: “warm-hearted, step-by-step awakening into the possibilities and powers of poems”
Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm. We have a short comfort break and another longer 30-to-40-minute break for some veggie food we all bring to share.
Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St, G3 7DS. Upstairs from Glasgow Unitarian Church.
Next Dates: 5th May, 2nd June.
Plus online sessions on Zoom – near the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, Summer and Winter Solstices
Spring Awakening Poet’s Way on-line
You are invited to a Zoom meeting: Spring Awakening
When: Mar 22, 2024 07:00 PM London
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kcOuhqzwvG9R00LzuSOpPMex11Az4rrnr After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Lapidus Scotland AGM & Networking Event, 11 April 2024
This is a hybrid event (in-person & online).
In-person takes place in the Blythswood Room at the Mitchell Library, where tea, coffee and herbal teas will be available. All are welcome, but please note that only those who are current members of Lapidus International are able to propose and second motions, and to vote.Tea, coffee and herbal teas will be available. The AGM is followed at 6.15pm by presentations and readings from Elaine Konopka (joining us online from Paris) and Rebecca Sharp (joining us in person). Please book separately for that event here.
Both events are free, but if you would like to make a donation to the ongoing work of Lapidus Scotland you can do so here.
New Moon Writing Hour with Linda France
Substack Recommendation: Startling with Linda France
Linda offers monthly new moon writing prompts on line, plus weekly gems of her own writing. It’s free to subscribe, and you can donate. Award-winning Poet, Climate Writer in Residence with New Writing North & Newcastle University 2020 – 22, Winner of the 2022 Laurel Prize, Environmental Poet of the Year 2022-23 in the Michael Marks Awards.
taiji writing and meditation. 7 days in the Scottish mountains.
Also with Linda and I will be leading a week-long retreat in October: Dance of the Elements. Do join us! To allow for deeper reflections and quiet time for our writing, there will be periods of silence overnight and after each meditation (3 or 4 each day) leading to a whole day of silence.
I say to my breath once again, little breath come from in front of me, go away behind me, row me quietly now, as far as you can, for I am an abyss that I am trying to cross. W. S. Merwin
PlaySpace Publications 