Contemplative Nature Journaling |
Encounter God's Love Through Nature at the Center at Mariandale |
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“Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every creature is full of God and is a book about God. If I spent enough time with even the tiniest creature, even a caterpillar, I would never have to prepare a sermon.” Meister Eckhart. But in order to apprehend God in all things we have to slow down and pay attention; hiking through the forest is quite different from sitting down to draw a leaf. To draw something, you have to really look at it noticing every detail and this can be a kind of prayer.
We will gather on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am to walk, sketch and share. Beginners warmly welcomed (I am new to sketching, too!) One great resource: videos by nature journaling teacher and artist, John Muir Laws who says, "Nature Journaling is collecting and organizing your observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook using words pictures, and numbers. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to begin. These skills can be learned by anyone, and you can develop them with deliberate practice. The system is creative, rigorous, and playful, easy to begin and learn, and will grow and mature over a lifetime. Start now: you can do this, and the world is waiting.Nature Journaling will enrich your experiences and develop observation, curiosity, gratitude, reverence, memory, and the skills of a naturalist. It helps you discover, think, remember, and integrate new information with your existing knowledge. Train your mind, and the world will offer you its secrets of wonder and beauty." Encouraging, isn't it? This is a low commitment opportunity. Come once, twice, or every month and pay what you will. Next up, Saturday, July 9 .Register here. |
Located on 60 beautiful acres, the grounds of The Center at Mariandale are a prefect place to encounter God's unconditional love for us. Using various practices (outside where possible) we will "read" the book of nature to discover what it says to each of us. Each day will also include time for personal reflection, and group sharing.
Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 30, at 5:00 pm to Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:00 pm Fee: $325 (includes retreat, overnight stay and meals) Register Here |