Winter Rest: A Seasonal Retreat

This retreat is an invitation to stop striving and to settle into the silence of winter and the tranquility of the prairie. Winter is a season of slowing down. Days end earlier with less sunlight, poor driving conditions keep us close to home, lots of one-pot soups and stews simmer on the stove, more books get read. The earth rests under blankets of cold and snow and we long for some deep rest, too. This retreat is an invitation to stop striving and to settle into the silence of winter and the tranquility of the prairie’s seasonal stillness. It is also an invitation to consider our experience of interior winters, how we can best live in them, and to welcome how they prepare us for the other seasons of our lives. You can expect conversations about the season, walks on the prairie, a long winter’s nap, opportunities for art, movement, journaling, great meals and warm beds to await you when you arrive. A renewed connection to yourself and to nature are what you can expect to take with you when you leave. Dates/Times/Schedule Tues., Jan. 19, 1:00 pm – Thurs., Jan. 21, 2027, 12:00 pm Final schedule for this retreat is fluid, but there will be time for rest, solitude, small group conversation, movement and art. Tentative schedule: Tuesday Evening – lectio divina (reading winter texts) Wednesday Morning – movement/Qigong and circle conversation Afternoon – art experience; walking meditation; visio divina Evening – free time and rest Thursday Morning – circle conversations, closing reflections Cost $320/person ($295/person early bird registration until December 4th, 2026) The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Tuesday dinner, Wednesday breakfast and lunch) and overnight room. Register The registration deadline for this retreat is January 11th, 2027, or when the retreat fills. Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until January 11th. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts. After you register, if you would like to request a double room with another retreatant or if you have other questions about accommodations, please contact us at [email protected]. We ask that interested participants register on the Holy Wisdom Monastery website to avoid higher registration fees. https://holywisdommonastery.org/event/winter-rest-27/