We kick off this home retreat with introductions from the teachers and technical hosts, initial grounding meditation and the setting of intentions and reflections on why we are here. Vishvapani then invites attendees to share in the chat some of their thoughts. We then move into how the session and the retreat as a whole will unfold. Vishvapani then shares a presentation called Entering the Space of the Imagination. After a short tea break, Amitajyoti then begins to unfold what we’ll be doing in the practical art-making sessions. We end the session with a period of guided meditation on the senses and the imagination from Vishvapani.

In this drawing session, Amitajyoti introduces us to ways we might begin to make marks. The main message is to truly let go of expectations and invite a free, relaxed approach to mark-making, embracing curiosity and exploration. We are asked to bring along a mundane object from around our house that we haven’t really paid any attention to. We also explore the various ways we can use a pencil.

We begin with some body-based practice led by Vishvapani aimed at grounding our energy before we sit. In his presentation, he talks about an alternative way of thinking about integration, which is in terms of wholeness.
After a period of meditation where we imagine ourselves as a tree, Vishvapani gives a presentation on what he calls ‘images of wholeness. He also explains the difference between horizontal integration and vertical integration. The session finishes with a period of free writing.

In this session, Amitajyoti leads us into different drawing and creating exercises. Exploring automatic drawing and how, with a creative and meditative mind, imagery can emerge. This was followed by some observations and questions. Amitajyoti connected the history of automatism (automatic drawing) with spiritual and psychological integration. How this process of drawing can help us integrate and transform inner spiritual and psychological tensions through embodiment of the images. The session finished on some comments and questions with the sharing of drawings.

In this session, Vishapani starts the session with a light physical warm-up with some energetic work using QI gong. This is followed by a balancing meditation led by Amitajyoti and a talk that explores how we might use art, imagination and formal Buddhist practices to cultivate positive emotion. Today Amitajyoti explores artists and thinkers such as Norman Adams, Monet, Soudden Boulet and Einstein, Sangharashita, Kant and Coleridge.

In the second part of the session, Vishvapani explores the distinction between conceptualisation and imagination and the role imagination, positive emotion and iconography play in our personal growth. This is followed by a visualization practice based on the image of a flower/lotus.

In this session, Amitajyoti explores how to connect with the heart and emotions when engaging with art and creativity, rather than relying solely on the mind or thoughts. She presents examples of quotes from artists and showcases their works. Then we participate in warm-up exercises and practice drawing from images while embodying our experiences. Then she guides us on different drawing exercises.

We kick things off with our usual program of mindful movement to ground ourselves for meditation. After this, Amitajyoti shares a presentation on Spiritual Death, this next phase in our system of practice. She uses images and works of art to draw out the meaning behind this concept.

After the break, Vishvapani leads us into a contemplative meditation called ‘Who am I?’ inviting you to write down some of the various identities or roles that have shaped who we are. Gradually he invites us to discard that identity and asks again, who am I?

The session begins with Amitajyoti sharing an anonymous account of letting go and how it relates to our spiritual practice. She then introduces how artists playfully explore the contrasts between dark and light, and between strong and delicate lines. She guides us through exercises that explore these contrasts. The session concludes with a short meditation practice.

Day 5 begins with Vishvapani giving a presentation on the next stage of spiritual practice, Spiritual Death. He begins by sharing a personal story about how these stages have unfolded in his own life and about how we can not just jump to renunciation and spiritual death. We first must work a lot on our emotions and integration, otherwise we are just bypassing. The presentation later moves into explorations on how this relates to the Imagination as a means of entering a new space.

Of course, the presentation includes many examples of art within various religious traditions, whilst we are encouraged to ask ourselves, what speaks to you? Amitajyoti concludes the session with a period of guided journeying.

In this creative session, Amitajyoti guides us with an emphasis on receptivity to imagery. She encourages us to release ourselves from the literal mind and make marks with our whole selves—not just our heads but our hearts as well. Perhaps we wish to express this through color. With this in mind, she quotes Sangharakshita, who refers to the bodhisattva Green Tara as the personification of “greenness.”

What does it mean to be receptive? Vishvapani introduces us to the stage of spiritual receptive, the next stage of our spiritual journey. Highlighting the importance of being receptive and sensitive to the body and its sensations.

Sensitivity is a key word here and Vishvapani talks about how we can be sensitive and aware of 4 different aspects of our experience which make up the four foundations of mindfulness. Vishvapani then leads us into a meditation on these four aspects, starting with the body and bringing sensitive awareness of the body, from there to our minds, is it expanded or contracted?

The session begins with a period of grounding meditation. As in previous second sessions, Amitajyoti leads us in a practical art-making session, this time with an emphasis on ink.

We enter the final day with a spacious meditative session. After that, the group shared the images and writing that they made the night before. After the tea break, Vishvapani leads us in a period of Metta Bhavana, the cultivation of loving-kindness. The session finishes with an open discussion between retreatants.

The session begins with a short meditation, followed by breakout groups where we share our experiences of the retreat. Afterwards, Amitajyoti offers words on coming off retreat and how to keep the practice alive and stay engaged. Vishvapani concludes the session with a poem reading and a final meditation.