"Feel the profound awakening and peace in a moment of silence." -- from Opening the Lotus

		Upcoming Meditation Events Joy in Mindfulness, December, 2010 in Clatskanie, OR Dharma and Writing Retreat, May, 2011 in Bainbridge Island, WA
		Contact Sandy at sandbou@sandyboucher.net for more information on retreats, how to organize retreats in your area, and upcoming events.
			Joy in Mindfulness The "Joy in Mindfulness" retreat, co-led with Martha Boesing, Buddhist theatre artist, offers an opportunity to work with the insecurities in our lives.
		Within a framework of Vipassana meditation, watched over by the Goddess of Compassion Kwan Yin, we will strive to turn toward the fears and expectations that come with transitions. Moving, new loves, job changes, fresh projects, graduations, divorce, illness, the death of loved ones: these can be difficult passages. This retreat kindles joy in mindfulness through simple dance movements, song, elementary theatre exercises, and writing designed to help us let go of the experiences of the past, so that we may discover our deepest intentions for the time to come. Our interactive experiences will be interspersed with mindful silence and meditation.

		Dharma and Writing Retreat for Women This retreat offers writing inspiration within the matrix of meditation, in an atmosphere of compassionate energy and our own self-nurturing. We will alternate meditation practice with writing practice.
		Sandy will guide writing exercises to connect you to your powerful autobiographical/memoir/personal-essay material; there will be time for your own writing project also, whether arising out of the exercises or brought from home; and Sandy will see each of you in short private sessions about your writing, if desired. Beginners and experienced writers are all welcome.

			Discovering Kwan Yin Spend a day with Sandy Boucher in a retreat setting. We will do sitting and walking meditation, be introduced to the goddess Kwan Yin, chant to evoke our deeper nature, and share our own stories of compassion in the world.
		This day can be a healing, deeply nurturing experience. If you feel that in your life you are asked to give and give, without getting much back, come and open yourself to the compassionate energy of the goddess Kwan Yin. This retreat can happen in a two-or-more-day residential context also.

		Upcoming Meditation Event Details
		Clatskanie, OR, Joy in Mindfulness Retreat Tuesday, December 28, 2010 through Saturday, January 01, 2011 Joy in Mindfulness December 28, 2010 to January 1, 2011, with Martha Boesing. Located at the Great Vow Zen Center in Clatskanie, Oregon. For information and registration, email registrar@greatvow.org or call (503) 728-0654.
		Bainbridge Island, WA, Dharma and Writing Saturday, May 14, 2011 through Sunday, May 15, 2011 Dharma and Writing Retreat This retreat is for women interested in meditation who want to experience the power of penetrating the dharma through writing. Bainbridge Island Commons, 370 Brien Drive SE, Bainbridge Island, Washington. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information and registration, contact Janet Pliske, jpliske@seawell.net.