The 5 C’s – (Patti Digh’s Life is a Verb) Camp and Courage, Creativity, Community, Compassion

Lake Kanuga at Dawn ©2018 Bo Mackison

Camp.

A camp for adults…

A sleepover camp for adults…

A sleepover camp for adults where one can connect with some mighty special people in a supportive community. It’s a great event for everyone — artists, writers, musicians, coaches, parents, travelers, and truly, anyone who practices kindness and inclusivity would feel welcome.

It’s a sleepover camp for adults where one can, according to Patti Digh:

“reclaim your courage, reignite your creativity, reconnect with your community, and rekindle your compassion.”

It’s Patti Digh’s Life is a Verb Camp!

Lake Reflection ©2018 Bo Mackison

And if that isn’t enough to pique your curiosity, camp is held at Kanuga Conference Center, a short drive from Asheville, North Carolina, and next year it takes place on October 31 through November 3 which is perfect timing for the fall color extravaganza.

Home Sweet Home Away from Home ©2018 Bo Mackison

(I recommend adding a day before or after and exploring the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway and/or Great Smoky Mountain National Park to take in the glory of the region.)

Life is a Verb Camp with Patti Digh ©2018 Bo Mackison

I just returned home from Camp 2018 which marked my fourth year in attendance and I’ve already registered for Camp 2019.

I took my first ever jewelry workshop with silversmith Molly Sharp and it was an amazing introduction to the wonders of creating fine jewelry. What a kind and informative instructor! She guided eight new-to-jewelry students through the needed steps to create silver and stone pendants, earrings, and rings, and we all left her workshop wearing jewelry we’d excitedly created over the course of 6 hours.

Molly has already agreed to return next year and I highly recommend her workshop. (She’ll be teaching a pre-camp jewelry workshop on October 31, 2019.)

Cleaster Cotton taught her Contemporary Primitive Art workshop and created a welcoming atmosphere where campers could play and create and make magic with color, pattern, and texture.

Cleaster will be returning to teach at camp in 2019. Yay!

The musicians at camp – wow! Inspiring. Talented. Energetic. Magical.

 

Gaelynn Lea is a moving songwriter, singer and violinist. She won NPR’s Tiny Desk award in 2016. And I invite you to download her music. Take your time to listen, really listen — her music is a transformative experience.

Carrie Newcomer not only gave an inspiring concert with favorites such as You Can Do This Hard Thing, Sanctuary, and A Gathering of Spirits, but she also taught a master class in songwriting!

A group of campers spent an afternoon with Carrie brainstorming topics and phrases, then putting our ideas/words into a song, and finally adding a melody. We even sang our newly created song at the Camp Talent Show — Yes! Camp has a talent show!

Drumroll…here is the song “Love is a Verb” featuring Carrie Newcomer and The Verbs.

Singing and Signing! ©2018 Bo Mackison

There was so much more – speakers and fiddlers and more musicians and more create workshops and there were s’mores and an open mic. Stephen Kuusisto, author of the memoirs Have Dog, Will Travel and Planet of the Blind spoke. He was accompanied by Caitlyn, his guide dog, who nearly stole the show.  Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni was stunning, a gifted storyteller telling an important story and her reflections on Truth, Justice, and Love was expansive. Santos Soul brought the house down with their rendition of Ancestors played to close Sunday’s session. So much happened over the course of those four and a half days, it’s almost impossible to document it all. So much goodness and inspiration and community building. So much goodness!

There will be new speakers and musicians and poets in 2019. Poets Patricia Smith, Danez Smith, and Liz Acevedo will be reading poetry. Patti Digh hosts the event and leads the camper troops ever onward. (While you are thinking about all the wordsmithing awesomeness, check out Acevedo’s new book Poet X! )

Make a Wish ©2018 Bo Mackison

SO COME TO CAMP!

Life is a Verb Camp 2019 registration is open. If you register by November 15, 2018 you get a price break. it’s a priceless event, but you might want to check it out at discount prices.

Come to camp, okay? You know you not only want to come, you really NEED to come.

Contemplative Creatives Journey – Winter 2018-19

JOIN ME FOR THE WINTER SEASON OF THE WORKSHOP THAT EXPLORES – AND CELEBRATES – THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

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:

  • no schedule, but lots of serendipity.
  • no planned curriculum, but lots of surprises.
  • no expectations, but infinite possibilities.
  • no formal objectives, but an always-available way to engage and interact with your 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 online workshop with a well-established active community component.

Nine Square Mandalas © 2018 Bo Mackison

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’ll play with words, explore words, and connect nature and place using words. We’ll write poetry – tile poetry, collaborative poetry, and poetry art using found words and pictures. You don’t need to consider yourself a writer to enjoy these practices, but anyone with an established writing practice will surely delight in them.

VISION

We’ll create mandalas, individually and collectively. I find this to be an especially beneficial winter practice since the early morning darkness offers me a quiet time to create, but this is a practice that can be done at anytime and anywhere. It’s a pocket-practice — the practice requires only a small container of basic supplies that can travel almost anywhere.

We’ll explore the practice of Miksang Contemplative Photography, focusing on the practices of 1) light and shadow and 2) interacting with your ordinary and personal world. (All types of cameras and skill levels are fine.)

PLACE:

Throughout the short winter days of winter, we’ll continue the weekly observational 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 incorporate ideas from “The Book of Hours,” a contemplative practice derived from ancient practices that focus on mindfulness practices, throughout our days.

Bo Mackison is an insightful, talented and inspirational art, photography and writing creativity coach and teacher. Bo’s wide range of artistic knowledge along with her life experiences makes her the artist and writer’s trusted advisor. I highly recommend Bo as a mentor, teacher, trainer and speaker. ~Jeanette Richardson Herring, Author and Artist

MY WINTER OFFER:

YOU WILL RECEIVE REGULAR — AND RANDOM — PROMPTS AND EXPLORATIONS.

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

This is a practice that:

  • gently weaves itself throughout your day
  • illuminates the extraordinary in the ordinary, celebrates the uncommon in the common
  • offers ways of interacting with place that highlight the wonder of and connection with nature, no matter where you live, work and play.

We begin December 1st, 2018 as winter approaches and we’ll journey together until March 14th, 2019.

New participants are welcome to join CCJ in the Winter Season. The first weeks of our practice will include introductions to the practices of collaborative poetry writing, creating a mandala practice, Miksang contemplative photography and the study of phenology.

If you searching for a place of sanctuary, a place to recharge so you can show up bright and energized for the demands of living in today’s world, this might be the workshop community you seek.

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. 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.

Come along and explore the creative and contemplative life with spaciousness and spontaneity.

WINTER SOLSTICE © 2018 Bo Mackison

WHEN:

The WINTER journey is 14 weeks long.  December 1, 2018 through March 14, 2019.

HOW:

Private community on Facebook. All content is shared on a private Facebook group page and can 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 in whatever way is best for you.

A handsome PDF booklet featuring content from the 14 week session is provided at the end of the season as a helpful ongoing resource.

THE COST:

I offer you my knowledge, my skills, my presence and my enthusiasm. The cost for this winter journey and an active sharing community remains at the all-inclusive price of $99.00.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE:

Registration is now open.

Register here through PayPal.

~~~~~

BO MACKISON is an artist, poet, photographer, certified Kaisen-Muse creativity coach, Nalanda Miksang Photography Instructor, hands-on workshop presenter, and a woman who has spent her entire adult life surviving and thriving with the help of the creative practices she now shares with others. She is the founder of Contemplative Creatives Journey, an Online Seasonal Workshop. Bo has been offering creative and contemplative programs for women since 2014. She’s been told her workshops have changed people’s lives for the better. She believes this to be true.

CONTEMPLATIVE CREATIVES JOURNEY – SPRING 2018: an online workshop

ANNOUNCING THE SPRING SEASON OF THE WOMEN’S WORKSHOP THAT EXPLORES – AND CELEBRATES – THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY

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 modern mystic. ~Mary Anne Radmacher, author and artist

CONTEMPLATIVE CREATIVES JOURNEY came into being on December 1, 2016 when I officially launched the first WINTER season. Since the initial offer, I have been leading amazing groups of women in creative and contemplative seasonal explorations.

Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to plan for CONTEMPLATIVE CREATIVES JOURNEY – SPRING 2018.

If the words contemplative and creative have a sweet juiciness 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 share my practices as they show up in real time. There is a flow – we write, we create art, we observe nature. But there is no plan beyond the present. I choose a theme, often only a day or two before I dive in. Then we explore the theme in depth with writing prompts, contemplative photography, collaborative poetry, and in-your-yard nature observations.

MY SPRING OFFER:

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

TOGETHER WE WILL:

  • CREATE ART.
  • WRITE POETRY.
  • LEARN MIKSANG (CONTEMPLATIVE) PHOTOGRAPHY PRACTICES.
  • OBSERVE AND SHARE IN-YOUR-OWN-BACKYARD NATURE.

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) or complete a lot of projects. You choose whatever amount of engagement feels right for you.

THIS PRACTICE:

  • gently weaves itself throughout your day
  • illuminates the extraordinary in the ordinary, celebrates the uncommon in the common
  • offers ways of interacting with place, highlighting connection with nature, no matter where you live, work and play.
  • is deeply infused with kindness and respect.

A LOOK AT PRIOR SEASONAL OFFERINGS:

Over the course of a season, we typically explore 5 to 8 themes. Each theme may last a week or two and includes reflections, writing prompts, collaborative and shared poetry, mandala and other experential art, and Miksang Contemplative Photography instruction.

We have explored themes such as Silence and Solitude, Ritual and Routine, The Journey, Bounty, Pause – Living the Hours, The Ordinary Everyday, Simplicity, and Wonderment. We have studied and enjoyed artists and poets such as Frida Kahlo, Emily Carr, Marge Piercy, Nikki Giovanni, and Naomi Shihab Nye. We have written collaborative poetry on subjects such as the sacred in the ordinary, our ancestors, and iconic moments from our childhoods.

Here is a sampling from one of the themes offered last Winter:

SIMPLICITY

  • Favorite Quotes
  • The Zen Aesthetic, A Miksang Level Two Practice
  • Sharing Other Women’s Poetry – Contemporary And Traditional Haiku
  • Invitation To Write Haiku
  • Let’s Create Contemporary Haiga
  • Writing The Simplest Poems – Two Word Poetry Prompt
  • Sharing Our Collaborative Poetry – A Day In Our Lives (In Haiku)
  • Sharing Our Photography – Zen Aesthetic Mosaic
  • Creating Mandala Art with Heart

As each theme is completed, it is made available in a PDF for your personal use. A beautifully designed ebook of the complete season’s material is offered to you at the end of the program in a single downloadable file. A copy for you to enjoy and use.

We begin MARCH 15th, 2018.

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’ll play with words, explore words, and connect with nature and place using words. We’ll write and share poetry – though you need not consider yourself a poet or a writer to enjoy this practice, as they are all collaborative invitations. We will play with words – tile poetry, chain poetry, and poetry art using found words and pictures.

VISION:

We will explore creating all kinds of mandalas – on paper, in collage, in nature. The photography component of the workshop will focus on Miksang contemplative photography practices. (All types of cameras and skill levels are fine.)

PLACE:

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.

Bo Mackison is an insightful, talented and inspirational art, photography and writing creativity coach/teacher. Bo’s wide range of artistic knowledge along with her life experiences makes her the artist and writer’s trusted advisor. I highly recommend Bo as a mentor, teacher, trainer and speaker. ~Jeanette Richardson Herring, Author, Artist, TV and Radio host and producer

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 and thriving in today’s world?

Would you benefit from a creative practice that can be done in free moments? Would you benefit from a contemplative practice that focuses on stronger connections with yourself in the present moment?

WHAT YOU NEED:

You create with the simplest of supplies, things you likely already own/have available.

  • Paper of any sort, i.e. sketchbooks, a journal, ephemera.
  • Any sort of mark-making media you enjoy, i.e. pens, pencils, markers, pastels, paints.
  • Any kind of camera. (Cell phone camera is fine.)
  • Mixed media supplies such as old magazines, household ephemera, a glue stick.
  • A view from a convenient window.
  • Access to Facebook, all content is delivered via a private group.

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. Creativity coaching is a gentle and integral part of the process. “Kindness and respect” is our language of preference.

WHEN:

The SPRING journey is 13 weeks long.  MARCH 15th, 2018 through JUNE 14th, 2018.

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.

Creative Practices – A Calligraphy Mandala © 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, M.Div., speaker and sacred conversationalist

THE COST:

I offer you my knowledge, my skills, my presence and my enthusiasm. The cost for the 13-week journey and an active sharing community is $99.00.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE:

Registration is now open.

Link to PayPal Invoice. 

If you would prefer to pay via check, please email me at bo@bomackison.com for details.

I do hope you will join me.

BO MACKISON is an artist, a poet, a photographer, a certified Kaisen Muse creativity coach, a Miksang Photography Instructor, hands-on workshop presenter, and a woman who has spent her entire adult life surviving and thriving using the creative practices she shares. She is the founder of Contemplative Creatives Journey, an Online Workshop. Bo has been offering creative and contemplative programs for women since 2014. She has been told her offerings have changed many people’s lives for the better. She believes this to be true.

Contemplative Creative Practices – A Mandala

Contemplative Creative Practices – A Mandala ©2017 Bo Mackison

 

This is a mandala of contemplative and creative practices. Almost all of these practices show up in one way or another in Contemplative Creatives Journey.

If these are practices that call out to you, please check out Contemplative Creatives Journey Winter 2017-18. We begin December 15th and registration is now open.

DIARY WRITTEN ON AUTUMN LEAVES (a poem in six parts)

Gingko Leaves © 2017 Bo Mackison

 

DIARY WRITTEN ON AUTUMN LEAVES

(in six parts)

I. there are the dreams

Hold my thoughts
and dreams
as you scatter
take flight
for those of us grounded

II. there is the holding on

Holding on, hanging on.
No stranger to holding on
before letting go of the known.

Change electrifies the sky.
Freedom awaits.

III. there is the ride

It’s your turn to travel
On the winds of time
Gently, freely floating
Sublime.

Letting go
Trusting
Riding the winds of life.

Scatter
leaf dreams,
whirl and chatter,
small red and gold cyclones
grasp wind,
flutter,
let go.

Brilliant leaf
please take my regrets
on the wind.
Let them fall away.

Fall away, let go, ride the air,
So a new year may begin.

IV. there is the dust

Last vestige of Summer
crumples into dust
To augment the new growth
of a new Summer,
As I will augment the growth
of a new generation.

V. there is rest

Signaling change
Ever changing skies
Preparing for rest.

tenderly landing

The leafless branches
like stitches pulling together
land and sky

A thin page of the season
Leaf of gossamer
Holds my gaze, my thoughts, my love

resting, earth to earth
connecting, heaven to earth

VI. there is the quiet

Floating, flying, propelled
into unknown adventure,
Finally to find rest,
lying softly on the earth’s litter,

Cushioned among the other
discarded gowns of summer.
I envy your deep sleep,
the safety of your blanket,
As I trudge on through winter.

there is the quiet

now be
be still in the wind
be still.

Scattering of Gingko Leaves © 2017 Bo Mackison

This poem was written with my Contemplative Creatives Journey (CCJ) online workshop/community. It is a collaborative effort. Together we imagined what diary entry we might write on an autumn leaf. Then I wove together the words of 15 members of the group – this poem is the result. These collaborations are one of my favorite parts of our group and give me such deep joy when I can weave words into one offering. It’s truly a lovely creative practice.

If this sort of thing appeals to you, I hope you’ll check out my coming offering. CCJ Winter begins December 15 and is now open for registration.