Articles by Bo Mackison

ANNOUNCING THE AUTUMN SEASON OF THE WORKSHOP THAT EXPLORES  – AND CELEBRATES – THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

The autumn journey is now in progress. I anticipate offering a winter journey which will begin December 15, 2017. If interested, please email me at bo at bomackison.com and I will add you to a information list.

This gently guided journey with Bo has infused my existing practices with renewed energy. Her exquisite leadership is informed by experience, training and soulful instinct. I consider her a modem mystic. ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

If the words contemplative and creative have a sweet juiciness for you and you’re interested in a different sort of online workshop, read on.

• Instead of schedules, I offer serendipity.

• Instead of a planned curriculum, I offer surprises.

• Instead of expectations, I offer possibilities.

• Instead of learned objectives, I offer an always-available way to engage and interact with the world through art, nature and the written word.

I combine my roles as curator of life experience, writer, artist, Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach, and certified Miksang Contemplative Photography instructor to offer you a meaningful and fulfilling workshop. (Although I am fond of the phrase playshop!)

MY AUTUMN OFFER:

YOU WILL RECEIVE REGULAR AND RANDOM PROMPTS, QUESTIONS, AND EXPLORATIONS.

Together we will explore themes and creative practices that inspire and encourage, elicit wonder and awe, uplift your spirit and feed your soul.

This is not a practice that requires you set aside a certain amount of time each day (unless that is your desire.) Instead, it is this:

• a practice that gently weaves itself throughout your day

• a practice that illuminates the extraordinary in the ordinary, celebrates the uncommon in the common

• ways of interacting with place that highlight the wonder of and connection with nature, no matter where you live, work and play.

We begin September 15th, as autumn approaches, and we’ll journey together until December 15th.

Together we will walk on a journey of increased awareness of the miracles and beauty of the ordinary, and a renewed awareness of the cycles of autumn as we move from the light of summer towards winter’s darkness. During this time we will explore dozens of creative and contemplative practices.

There is a strong community and collaborative aspect in the group, but it is always invitation and opportunity, never a requirement.

In community and individually, we explore these themes:

word * vision * place

WORD

This practice focuses on how to connect — to the world, community, and self — using words. We will play with words, explore words, and connect nature and place using words.

I’ll share many ways to create poetry, even if you do not consider yourself a poet or a writer. Many of the writing practices are collaborative invitations.

We will play with words – tile poetry, collaborative poetry, and poetry art using found words and pictures.

VISION

Mandala making will include the practice of using colored pencils on black paper while exploring Autumn’s deeper palette of colors.

The photography component will focus on Miksang contemplative photography practices. Focus: the practice of seeing details and interacting with your ordinary and personal world. (All types of cameras and skill levels are fine.)

PLACE:

As AUTUMN approaches and the days shorten in the northern hemisphere, we’ll continue the practice of backyard phenology – the study of nature’s calendar, an ever-present, in-the-present survey of the cycles of plants and animals in your natural world.

We’ll work with the concepts from “The Book of Hours” derived from an ancient contemplative practice that focuses on mindfulness practices at different times of the day.

Flight of the Autumn Leaves © 2017 Bo Mackison

Bo has created a safe and sacred space for creativity to flourish, respite to abide, and healing to occur – no matter what is happening in our internal or external worlds. The vulnerable and honest sharing of her own creative practices has invited me more deeply into my own. I cannot recommend this offering or her heart on others’ behalf highly enough. ~ Ronna Detrick

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU CLARIFY:  

Are you searching for a place of sanctuary, a place to recharge your inner battery so you can show up bright and energized for the demands of living in today’s world?

Would you benefit from a creative practice that can be done in free moments? What if instead of checking social media whenever a spare moment arises, you chose to check in with yourself instead?  Would you benefit from a contemplative practice that focuses on a stronger connection with yourself and with the present?

Do you thrive with to do lists? Do you do your best, most creative work on a schedule while meeting deadlines? If your answer is yes, then this workshop will likely be a different sort of experience. Are you ready for this kind of change? Then come along and explore the creative and contemplative life with spaciousness and spontaneity.

Do you have the right kind of supplies? You create with the simplest of supplies, things you likely already own.

• Paper of any sort, i.e. sketchbooks, a journal, ephemera. Black paper will be used for mandala making.
• Any sort of mark-making media you already have, i.e. pens, pencils, markers, pastels, paints.
• Camera of your choice (Cell phone camera is fine.)
• Mixed media supplies such as old magazines, household ephemera, a glue stick.

Whether you have a fully equipped art room or a box of simple supplies you store in a closet, you’ll find new ways to create. Surprises and nudges will get your creative juices flowing. Hints on how to see or create in new ways will offer you unlimited possibilities for exploration and are easily incorporated into your everyday routine.

WHEN:

The Autumn journey is 14 weeks long.  September 15th through December 15, 2017.

HOW:

Private community on Facebook. Everything is delivered to a private Facebook group page and may show up anytime. Surprise and serendipity! You are encouraged to share your discoveries and experiences in the private group however and whenever you choose.

This guided and easily accessible process allows you to engage in the practice wherever and whenever you choose.

THE COST:

I offer you my knowledge, my skills, my presence and my enthusiasm. The cost for the 14 week journey and an active sharing community is $99.00.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE:

Registration is now open. You can use the PayPal link below.

Click here to register through PayPal 

I do hope you will join me.