Letting Go continues with Anna Levin with Autumn Voices

Image credit: ‘The Jump’ by Louise Humphrey

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.

A Renga with Ian Stephen

The third of our renga event events i.m Gerry Loose (1948-2024) takes place at Glasgow Botanic Gardens on Sunday 22nd March, from 11.00. It will be mastered by Ian Stephen, writer, artist and storyteller from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides whose Maritime: new and selected poems came out in 2016. Full details, including how to book, are on Eventbrite. (Ian replaces Alan Spence, who unfortunately has had to withdraw from the renga.) Images: above, Lapidus Scotland renga events at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, May & September 2025; below, Ian Stephen.

Linda France‘s Writing Hours Tuesday 19th March 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 “Sap moon” which ends with a one word poem: Yes. Linda’s bold and articulate words, inspirational links encourages all to step up and do what we can to make our world safer and healthier. 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.’

Valerie Gillies podcast for Scottish Poetry Library

There’s a new podcast available on the Scottish Poetry Library website here. Poet Valerie Gillies discusses her life in poetry with the SPL’s Samuel Tongue and Sukhema (aka Larry Butler), who was one of the SPL’s founding members back in 1984. Their free ranging discussion touches on Poetry and Wellbeing – a motivating force for all three poets – as well as facilitating and structuring workshops, survivors poetry, writing prompts, muses, and some of the projects they’ve been involved with over the years. Valerie also reads a number of her own poems.

The Poet’s Way Saturday 14th March 5:15 to 9pm

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’).  

Further information and to book a place email: dh.sukhema@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 – 14^th 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 inter-connectedness – 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.