Note NEW dates: Friday, May 12th - Saturday, May 13th 2023

Spring Retreat: Restore + Renew + Connect

Led by Lisa Baker, PhD

Join me at the spacious and restorative Holy Wisdom Monastery Retreat Center  in Middleton, WI for this unique retreat inspired by my work with individuals, groups, and organizations seeking greater peace, clarity, connection, and authenticity in the service of individual and collective liberation.

Overview.

You are invited to slow down and “unplug,” releasing and settling in to the present moment – connecting with what grounds & restores us, and awakens our senses. In this spacious and caring setting and community, I will be offering support and wisdom of mindfulness, compassion-based practices and guidance – awakening and deepening connection and care to ourselves and the world around us. 

Spring Retreat themes, include: equanimity, compassionate awareness, trust, and letting go, as we find our way back to our deepest intentions and that which nourishes and vitalizes us.

During both retreat days, teachings and gentle guidance in mindfulness and compassion-based practices will be tailored for both those who are new to mindfulness and those who have experience with these practices – with focus on concepts and practices that ground us and awaken our senses.

A variety of sitting, laying down, walking, and movement-based practices will be offered throughout the retreat. There will also be opportunities to explore and walk on the surrounding trails, enjoying the beautiful and natural landscape as a part of these connecting and restorative practices. Care will be taken to support diversity of experiences and needs throughout the retreat.

The second day of the retreat will include practice of”noble silence” for much of the day, including an option to make use of the private dining room for a reflective silent lunch experience. 

Location.

This retreat will be held in a spacious and bright retreat space overlooking gardens at Holy Wisdom Monastery, located on 130 acres of beautifully restored prairie and woods. In this setting, you can experience connection to the beauty and care of the natural world, including opportunities for walking on trails and contemplative practice in this beautiful landscape.

Holy Wisdom offers healthy, fresh meals prepared by their executive chef, with some of the food grown in the monastery’s large vegetable garden.  

Lunch is included in the retreat cost and will be served to retreat participants each day. 

For those staying for the evening or overnight on Friday, dinner can be added to the retreat options for Friday evening. For those staying overnight, continental breakfast is included with the room cost and is served in the Retreat & Guesthouse kitchen and dining area on Saturday morning. 

For lunches and dinner, participants can eat in spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas in the main building, with a private dining room available to our group during the second day of the retreat, for noble silence. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day and we have access to a full kitchen with a refrigerator if you wish to bring any additional snacks. 

Schedule.

Friday, May 12th (option to start in morning (10am) OR to arrive after lunch)

10:00am-11:30am Morning Session Welcome. Getting settled into practice space and introducing practices. Guided walking practice on trails.

1130-1pm Lunch and free time for personal practice (e.g., walking on trails or indoor spaces, self-guided practice for restoration and nourishment)

1pm-3pm Afternoon Welcome. Teachings and Guided Practices around connecting to our intentions, exploring themes of equanimity, trust and letting go. Mindfulness and Compassion-Based guided practices, integrating gentle movement, such as yoga (*break offered half-way through)

3pm-4pm Choice of writing practice, dyad and/or small group dialogue practices

4pm-430pm Closing Afternoon Practice

4:30pm-6:30pm Dinner & free time for personal practice and for those staying overnight, checking into overnight accommodation (Dinner is an optional add-on for those choosing to stay for the evening or overnight)

7:00pm-8:00pm Restorative and Yoga Nidra Practices 

Saturday, May 13th  

9am - 10am - Participants will be introduced to the format of this retreat day, including what "noble silence" is and potential benefits from this practice. They will be invited to share their intentions for the day in community, and explore any thoughts, concerns, questions they have about the practice with silence.

10am-1130am -  Begin "noble silence" practice with guided mindfulness practices offered - walking practice, gentle movement and body-based practices

1130am-130pm - Noble silence self-guided practice, including silent mindful eating practice, movement, and reflective writing (e.g., walking on trails or indoor spaces, writing/reflective prompts offered for practice).

130pm-230pm - Embodied practices for "coming home to our deepest intentions" and what supports us on this path, including compassion-based practices and restorative practice. 

230pm-330pm Closing noble silence practice with dyad and/or group reflective facilitated dialogue supporting community and connections. 

Overnight Accomodations.  

You have a great option to stay overnight at Holy Wisdom Retreat and Guesthouse on Friday night. You can see below the various accommodation options to add to your retreat experience.  

Guest house rooms have a options for queen, double, or twin bed(s). They all include a private bathroom, desk, wardrobe, and window views of the surrounding landscape. Accessible rooms are available.

While we are able to provide some supplies for the retreat (i.e., yoga mats, a few meditation cushions, and blankets), participants are asked to bring their own yoga mat, blanket, and meditation cushion/pillow, if they have these items. Again, if you do not, please let us know and we will make sure to provide these supports.

For the safety and protection of all guests, we request that all participants are fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours before the retreat start date. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding precautions. 

If a participant is symptomatic and/or has a positive Covid-19 test 5 days or less before the retreat, they are asked to stay home and will be offered a full refund. Thank you for understanding that these precautions are offered to insure as safe and comfortable retreat experience as possible. 

Registration is open until May 4th for Retreat.  Deadline for reserving overnight accommodations is APRIL 27th. 

Payment is required in full to reserve your spot.

Refunds available up to two weeks prior to the retreat, no refunds thereafter, unless due illness, including if symptomatic or positive for Covid-19 5 days or less prior to the retreat.

Last day to cancel your overnight accomodation for full refund is on or before APRIL 27th. 

Please plan to arrive at The Holy Wisdom Monastery Retreat Center & Guesthouse, located on 130 acres of beautifully restored prairie and woods, 4200 County Road M, Middleton WI 53562   between 9:30 - 9:55 am on Friday if attending starting in morning, and anytime between 12- 12:55pm if starting the retreat Friday afternoon.