Our first full day.
Or was it a year?
Retreat time – out of ordinary time – has already erased wrinkles, eased shoulders away from ears, brought glimmers and small miracles to the page.
Carefully laid plans have been abandoned, classmates from 20 years ago rediscovered, critics met and turned into allies, and four delicious meals savored. Oh molten chocolate cake with fresh whipped cream, thank you for that one melting bite.
It’s raining and we are cocooned, sipping tea, napping in the living room, crying, hooting, dancing, doing Dance of Shiva, surrounded by a circle of heart torus energy.
10 women have returned from earlier retreats. I watch their familiar faces around the circle and feel such a sense of tender communion.
Of belonging.
Today, we talked to our writing project – to what wants to be written. My project had a lot to say, which is exciting, because I’m usually too busy concentrating on the group’s needs to do my own thing, and also a bit frightening because it wants a lot.
It wants to be a book. It asked me to “stop doubting the form.” I wanted to say, “Excuse me, there are too many books. We don’t need any more books. I’ve written 6. That is enough.”
But I did not say that. I listened. Respectfully. I will keep listening and writing.
Knowing I have the company of 28 other courageous writers who’ve got my back.
Sending you the scents of cottonwoods and sage, three coyotes, and that chocolate cake: retreat goodness. Wish you were here.
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Tweets that mention Taos Day One » Comfort Queen -- Topsy.com Jul 26, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jennifer Louden and HiroBoga, Jamie Ridler. Jamie Ridler said: RT @HiroBoga: RT @jenlouden: Taos Day One: Our first full day. Or was it a year? Retreat time – out of ordinary time http://goo.gl/fb/jNKHq [...]
2 Giulietta Nardone Jul 26, 2010
Hi Jen,
Your retreat sounds super. Taos is a great location. I biked in and/ around there for a week
The book of yours that wants to be birthed may change someone’s life! Wishing you the best with it.
I’ve almost got my first card deck done. Quite the writing adventure.
Enjoy the rest of your re-treat.
Giulietta
3 Cairene Jul 26, 2010
Oooh, retreat! And being out of ordinary time and space. Ahhh. Wish I were there too.
Maybe I will join you vicariously today by asking my projects what they want…
oxo C
4 Emmy Jul 26, 2010
Take care of yourselves, Jennifer and Suzanne. Daily updates are less important than your own blissful falling-in to retreat. That said, I see sunlight sifting through trees onto the patio, hot tea, sweet oranges, surrounded by women biting their lips and staring at computer screens, trying to write. Ahh.
5 Heather Jul 26, 2010
This retreat sounds like a soothing balm not only to you, Jenn, but also to the other women joining you. I certainly do wish I was there! I find that the simple act of connection — to others, to the Divine, to ourselves — to be so very essential to our health and wellbeing these days. And isn’t writing just one more way of making that connection and touching others with it, so that they too can connect…?
Good luck with the book and do immerse yourself in the retreat’s bliss!
6 Jenn 2 Jul 27, 2010
ah sweet memories of Taos. wish I could be there, but I am retreating in my northern chalet near water and trees, pursuing writing projects only dreamed of when I was there in 2006, and maybe one day, I’ll make it back
wishing you a fruitful creative loafing time
7 jamie Jul 27, 2010
Oh, absolutely delicious – and I’m not just referring to the chocolate cake! Here’s to having the bravery to listen to what your project wants to be and the preciousness of retreat time. (You introduced me to the latter and I have a feeling we’re going to become very great friends.)
Can’t wait to hear more!
8 Jennifer Jul 27, 2010
Thanks beautiful women for your good wishes. today was another wonderful day, oh and yesterday, but don’t have the time/energy to put into words…. ironic, isn’t it?
9 Andrew Lightheart Jul 28, 2010
Wish I were there, too….
Think you might ever do a mixed-gender retreat?
*dreams…*
Sending love from a full heart (and, surreally, from, until tomorrow, China).
x