What do writing and mindfulness have in common? Well – a lot, actually. Both require that we sit still and focus our attention. Both are a process of exploration, a means of coming to know ourselves and the rest of the world a little better. And both have the potential to be simultaneously challenging and rewarding.
Holly Hughes, instructor for the Shrine retreat, finds mindfulness and meditation to be essential to her own writing practice. “Years ago, while on my first writing retreat at Hedgebrook, I turned to my meditation practice to help me through the blank page panic I felt when I first arrived. I found that not only did the panic subside, but the words began to flow. That was in 1999, and since then I’ve continued to turn to meditation practices as a warm-up for writing, finding I bring more of my authentic self to the page when my mind is free of chatter. Since then, the pace of our lives has only increased and I continue to find both practices – mindfulness and writing – to be essential to keeping my balance in these challenging, complex times.”
The Shrine Retreat is named for the National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Juneau, where it takes place each year. In the early 1930’s the first Catholic Bishop of Alaska secured the slice of scenic coastline from the federal government for religious retreats. The Shrine’s grounds include a stone chapel, rustic cabins, flower-studded gardens, and a stone labyrinth – all nestled in the lush beauty of Juneau’s coastal rainforests. It’s both breathtaking and serene, a wonderful backdrop for quiet contemplation and creativity. The Shrine of St. Thérèse is now a coveted sanctuary shared with the local community and visitors from all over the world, and is known to locals simply as “the Shrine.”
The Shrine Retreat is coordinated and supported by a small group of Juneau-based 49 Writers board members and volunteers, including Katie Bausler, Mandy Ramsey, Mistee St. Clair, and Emily Wall. All of them are writers themselves, and they understand how incredibly valuable it is to have dedicated time and space for writing – not to mention, a chance to relax and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As such, the schedule for the Shrine Retreat each year is engineered to offer participants a balance of rest and creative time, solitude and community. Each morning, participants are invited to join Mandy for an early bird yoga class. The rest of the day includes activities like walking meditations; writing prompts and discussions; and free time to read, write, work out, or rest. Breakfast and dinner are communal meals, giving attendees an opportunity to socialize and discuss their writing with one another. On the final night of the retreat, attendees have the chance to share their work with one another in a group reading.
Susan Pope, an Anchorage-based member of 49 Writers and author of Rivers and Ice: A Woman’s Journey Toward Family and Forgiveness, made the trip down to Juneau to attend the Shrine Retreat this year. “With Holly’s expertise, I was able to slow down, reflect, and generate new work in an amazingly beautiful setting,” she said. “I came away from the retreat with new tools to calm my mind, focus my thoughts, and restart my writing.” Another attendee noted, “The short meditations before our sessions really helped to drop us into a calmness and deeper mindset for writing and discussions.”
The retreat also offers something that can be hard for writers to find: community and connection with other like-minded creatives. For Holly, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience. When I asked her what her favorite part of the weekend was, she said, “It’s really hard to choose a highlight. This year, two humpback whales came into the bay to feed – and a few participants were lucky enough to watch them breaching! That’s an experience that will be with all of us for a long time. But for me, the last night is always a highlight, when we sit out on the deck as the sun drops behind the island and the participants share their writing. It’s such a tangible example of how we’re all learning from each other – and cheering each other on. While everyone is in different stages on their writing journey, each person leaves feeling inspired and with renewed passion for their writing. That’s what I love about leading retreats like this – and why I’ll keep returning.”
The Shrine Retreat is one of two annual retreats offered by 49 Writers, in addition to other programs such as classes, readings, community events, and more. To support programs like this one or take part in our mission, please consider donating or becoming a member.