Listening to Land, Listening to Self: An Eco-Contemplative Writing Retreat
2026-08-29 09:00 - 2026-08-30 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
What does the land tell us when we truly listen?
How does a pesticide-sprayed lawn or a restored oak savanna affect our bodies and minds? In this two-day contemplative writing retreat, we’ll explore the role of writers in this time of climate crisis and discover how to grieve what is lost while finding strength and joy in what is possible.
We’ll use creative writing, mindfulness practices and the land at Holy Wisdom Monastery to connect with the wisdom that arises when we listen deeply to ourselves or a place. We’ll use periods of mindful awareness, writing, sharing, reading and discussion to explore the power of our words to create a liveable future.
You’ll leave with fresh writing, readings and tools to inspire your creative and contemplative practices, and connection to others who care about the more-than-human-world.
Schedule (subject to change)
Saturday

9:00-10:00 am – Welcome, introductions, and writing session
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Meditation, mindful writing instruction, optional sharing
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Mindful walking and writing outside
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30 pm – Break
2:30-3:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
3:00-3:45 pm – Dialogue with a more than human being (outside)
3:45-4:00 pm – Close

Sunday

9:00-9:30 am – Meditation
9:30-10:00 am – Writing
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Mirror walk with partner outside
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30: Break
2:30-3:30: Listening to land exercise (outside)
3:30-4:00: Closing ceremony

Workshop Leader – Rebecca Jamieson
Rebecca Jamieson grew up on the land between Spring Green and Dodgeville, where she spent countless hours exploring the rock outcroppings, woods, and fields. After 12 years living on the West Coast and New England, she now lives in Madison.

Rebecca is the author of the poetry collection The Body of All Things and is the recipient of a 2025 Wisconsin Writers Award, and the 2024 Tupelo Press Prose Prize. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Rattle, The Offing, The Mid-American Review and the anthology Driftless. She’s currently at work on a collection of personal essays.

When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, baking, or cuddling her two cats.

Cost
Commuter: $220/person

Includes Saturday and Sunday lunch.

Residential: $295/person

Provides overnight accommodations.
Includes Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.

Early bird pricing: $35 off per package until June 1, 2026.
Register
Please register by August 20, 2026. The capacity of the program is 20 people and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, 75% of the cost is refundable before the August 20, 2026 registration deadline, and 50% of the cost is refundable after the registration deadline until the start of the program.
