When the outer world is chaotic, it helps to have a contemplative practice and a creative outlet to keep our inner balance. Jan Phillips knows how to guide us toward our inner mystic. Her new Book of Hours "Stop Seeking, Start Finding" is the culmination of years of exploration on the spiritual path. In this retreat Jan will facilitate ways of harvesting personal wisdom as a map to a mystical and meaningful life.
Using the themes of Stillness, Awakening, Letting Go, Non-Duality, Conscious Creativity, Prophetic Action and Building Community, from Jan's Book of Hours, Catherine Anderson will guide us to create our own personal Book of Hours which can act as a gateway to contemplation and connection to the beauty and mystery of the cosmos. Our creative practices will include making SoulCollage®cards, writing poetry and simple book making. All supplies needed to create your Book of Hours will be provided. As this will be your own unique Book of Hours, any creative choices you want to include in your Book of Hours is welcomed - such as your own drawings or photographs. The Book of Hours will include visuals, quotations and writing for each of the seven days.
To integrate our creative and spiritual practices we will also have the opportunity to walk the beautiful labyrinth overlooking the ocean at our retreat center on the Connecticut coast.
“Revelations are occurring around the globe to individuals who open themselves like satellite dishes to Mind-at-Large, which is broadcasting itself every second of the day.”
Jan Phillips
YOUR RETREAT GUIDES
Your retreat guides are Jan Phillips and Catherine Anderson. Catherine met Jan Phillips about 25 years ago after reading her books “God is at Eye Level: Photography as a Healing Art” and “Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity” which had a profound influence on Catherine’s creative and spiritual journey. It is a joy for us to collaborate in this retreat!
VENUE
This retreat will be held at the beautiful Mercy-by-the-Sea Retreat Center, 167 Neck Road
Madison, CT 06443. Mercy by the Sea is located on 33 acres along the shore of Long Island Sound. It has a small yet diverse ecology, ranging from wetlands and woodlands to landscaped grounds and gardens. It also has a private beach.
Mercy by the Sea is accessible from several airports.
Tweed Airport (New Haven, CT) is 17 miles away (approximately 25 minutes travel time)
Bradley International Airport (Hartford, CT) is 53 miles away (approximately 1.25 hours travel time)
Green Airport (Providence, RI) is 79 miles away (approximately 1.5 hours travel time)
LaGuardia Airport (New York, NY) is 98 miles away (approximately 2.25 hours travel time)
You can arrive at the Retreat Center any time after 4pm on Sunday to check-in to your room, and we will officially start after dinner which is served from 5.30 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.. We will end at 10.00 a.m. on the last day.
“Creating peace in our time is a spiritual undertaking because it involves imagination, hope, a vision of the future, a commitment to change.”
COST
The cost of this four day, three night retreat which includes accommodation in a single room with en-suite bathroom, all meals, snacks and art supplies including your own personal art supply kit is $1,095.00 per person.
The cost of a shared double room is $995.00 per person sharing. Please let Catherine know if you are planning to share with a friend or if you would like us to allocate you a roommate.
As at December 10th the 12 single rooms are full but there are still 4 shared rooms available. If you book a shared room, but would prefer a single email Catherine to let her know in the event the retreat center is able to allocate additional single rooms to us.
Payment is as follows:
A non-refundable admin fee/deposit of $150 is required to register for the retreat.
The balance of $945 for a single room or $845 for a shared room is due on or before May 28th, 2025.
There is a discount of $50 available if you pay your balance by check or by Zelle. You are welcome to make part-payments towards the retreat anytime you wish.
ABOVE: SCENES FROM MERCY-BY-THE-SEA BY PHOTOGRAPHER ELAINE OLIVE
CANCELLATION POLICY
Should it be necessary for you to cancel your participation in this retreat you will be refunded the retreat costs less the non-refundable deposit and any accommodation fees already due and paid to the retreat center, provided your cancellation is on or before June 8th, 2025. You are also welcome to find someone to take your place in the retreat. If you do not wish to self-insure, it is highly recommended that you take out a travel insurance policy to cover your cancellation due to unexpected events such as flight cancellations and illness.
Should Jan and Catherine need to cancel this retreat for any reason, you will be refunded all amounts paid for this retreat. Catherine will send registrants a full refund of all monies paid within seven days of notification of cancellation, and accepts no additional liability for travel costs or any other additional costs incurred.