A retreat using the Appleseed Method - with Jennie Barnsley and Roy Bayfield. The retreat takes the words of the much-loved hymn ‘Jerusalem’ as a touchstone, to explore a liberating spiritual vision of a better world.
Through meditative, kindergarten-simple creative activities, we will experience our own deep responses to the words of William Blake, the radical 18th-century mystic artist and poet.
Appleseed, a process originated in the Quaker tradition, involves silent listening to talks on the theme, followed by simple and enjoyable arts-based response activities, and the option to share our experiences with each other.
A regular feature in the Othona calendar, Appleseed proves itself time and time again as an accessible and rewarding process that opens the heart, feeds the mind and lets the spirit soar.
Optional activities around the core theme will include music, film and time to socialise.
The format of evening arrival, three full days and a final morning gives space for deep reflection, and enjoyment of community.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Enjoy being ‘free to experiment, be out of “control”…enormous, very serious fun…’
- Experience a unique and powerful form of contemplative spiritual exploration
- Practice using simple creative exercises as a form of meditation
- Gain new understandings based on personal response to aspects of Blake’s vision
We won’t be attempting to write or draw like Blake, and this isn’t a historical, literary or academic course. Expect what one participant described as “Passion, sincerity and real spiritual groundedness.”
‘[Blake] called upon us to animate the creative spirit within us’ - Patti Smith
‘Why be bleak when you can be Blake?’ - John Balance
Jennie and Roy have facilitated Appleseed courses at Othona for over 10 years. Jennie is a Quaker theologian and avid crafter; Roy is a published poet and writer with experience of meditation in the western wisdom tradition.
Read more at www.simplespiritcreativity.com