Art of Impermanence: New Beginnings

Name: Art of Impermanence: New Beginnings
Start: 2025-01-03
End: 2025-01-09
Location: Casa Werma
Rating: 5

5.0019 reviews

Calle Libertad 80, Centro Patzcuaro, MichoacanMexico

January 3 - 9, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Jake

Melinda

Jake Lorfing

Jake Lorfing has been active in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition for over 35 years as a student, teacher, administrator, and meditation instructor. Following a career in psychiatric nursing, he now spends more time teaching contemplative photography and end of life issues, teaching others to live more fully and joyfully. Jake has taught contemplative photography around the states, Mexico, and Canada in a variety of formats. He travels extensively for photography and his photos are on display in private and public venues. His short stories and articles have been published in two anthologies of Buddhist fiction, Nixon Under the Bodhi Tree and You Are Not Here, both from Wisdom Publications, and in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review.

Melinda Rothouse

Melinda Rothouse is a professional creativity coach, consultant, author, and educator, as well as a meditation and contemplative arts teacher, based in Austin, Texas. She is also a singer/songwriter/bass player. Her creative and professional work embrace a lifelong love of learning with an emphasis on journey and process. A former teacher of comparative religions, she holds a Ph.D. in psychology with a specialization in creativity studies. She is the author of two books: A Mindful Approach to Team Creativity and Collaboration: Creating a Culture of Innovation, drawing on insights from her doctoral research and her experiences working with organizational leaders and teams, published in 2020 from Palgrave Macmillan, and the co-author of the Silver Nautilus Award winning Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities, published in 2021 from Mandorla Books.

Details of this retreat

The Art of Impermanence explores the process of change and becoming, of the ephemerality of our everyday experience, through the lens of creativity and contemplative arts practice. Through a combination of daily mindfulness meditation practice and creative arts exercises, we will explore the vulnerability inherent in our existence as sentient beings, observing how all phenomena arise and pass away. Using an array of artistic media, including writing, photography, movement, sound, and visual arts, we’ll awaken to the fluid nature of life from the loving container and lush gardens of Casa Werma in Patzcuaro, Mexico.
Each day will begin with breakfast at Casa Werma, followed by a morning meditation session and contemplative arts exercise. We’ll break for lunch and then return for an afternoon meditation and contemplative arts exercise. We’ll then gather in the evenings over dinner to share our creative reflections, discuss, and deepen our experiences together.
There are no prerequisites for the program. Participants should bring a digital camera or phone for photography, a journal or notebook for writing, and any personal art supplies they wish to use. We will have additional art supplies available at Casa Werma.

Full program tuition not including accommodations: $850 usd. **Book now and get $50 usd off listed prices. Offer valid until September 30, 2024. Discount will be applied after registration is confirmed.

We invite all who are able to do so to pay the full tuition rate. By doing so, you directly support Casa Werma's operating budget, helping to sustain our dharma programs, maintain our facilities and ensure the continued care of this sacred place throughout the year.

Pay-It-Forward program tuition not including accommodations: $958 usd

We invite all who are able to do so to consider paying the Pay-It-Forward tuition rate. By doing so, you make it possible for us to offer scholarships to others, particularly our Mexico sangha, while also contributing to Casa Werma's year-round operations. Please select Pay-It-Forward Tuition Add-On in Registration.

Subsidized program tuition not including accommodations: 20% off Full Tuition. If the full tuition is unworkable for you, please pay the subsidized rate if you can. By doing so you contribute towards the cost of your being here and everything it takes to keep Casa Werma operating year-round. Please type “SUBSIDIZED” in Discount Code in Registration.

What to expect: The first and last program dates for any program at Casa Werma are considered primarily travel days. We start with dinner on the first listed program day, followed by orientation and opening remarks by the teacher. On the final listed program day, there will be no program activities and a light, continental breakfast will be available to all participants.

Travel arrangements: We recommend flights into Morelia airport (90 minutes away by car). We can help with travel arrangements, please inquire about options. Please visit our How to Get Here page for more info. All participant air travel will be offset by The Good Traveler carbon offset program.

Jake Lorfing and Melinda Rothouse are certified instructors in the Shambhala Nalanda Miksang tradition. Supportive and experienced teachers, they cumulatively offer a wealth of photographic, artistic, technological, creative and meditative skillsets.

Getting Here

Casa Werma, Calle Libertad 80, Centro Patzcuaro, MichoacanMexico

Accommodation

Off-site Estancia de la Era King Suite

Estancia de la Era is a lovely inn only half a block away that gives our guests a special nightly rate when reserved and paid through Casa Werma. This is a large private room with a King Size bed and a sofa bed, offset from the street with a beautiful view, ensuite two baths and fireplace. Hotel Estancia de La Era is located in the heart of Pátzcuaro, one of the most magical places in Mexico, surrounded by lush, natural scenery and a 16th Century colonial architecture. The balance between the city and nature provides the perfect setting for a peaceful relaxation. Your stay includes wonderful amenities while you enjoy the magic of this historic place. *** Please do not make reservations with these hotels on your own. Participants have lost their reservation when they have done this as it’s difficult for the hotel and Casa Werma to keep track of who’s reserved separately and who’s reserved through us. Casa Werma does add a small surcharge to the rates given to us by the hotels to account for PayPal, credit card and other banking fees. Thank you for your understanding. ***

Leoncita (Full size bed)

We have the cozy Leoncita bedroom with a matrimonial/full-size bed tucked behind the kitchen with access to a semi-public bathroom in the corridor of the Casa Grande.

Camping in the Garden

Puedes acampar en el jardin de Casa Werma. Te pedimos traer tu propia tienda y bolsa de dormir. Podemos prestarte una toalla y cobijas. La temperatura nocturna en Pátzcuaro suele ser de 9ºC/50ºF, de modo que es importante que traigas ropa adecuada para el frío. Hay un baño externo que puede ser utilizado por quienes acampen; los jardines son hermosos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can camp at Casa Werma, in the various acres of garden. We request you bring your own tent and sleeping bag. We can provide a towel and extra blankets. Nights in Patzcuaro are usually around 50*F/9*C, so it is important to bring warm clothing. There is a nice outdoor bathroom available to campers and the gardens are beautiful.

Off-site Estancia De La Era Queen Size

Estancia de la Era is a lovely inn only half a block away that gives our guests a special nightly rate when reserved and paid through Casa Werma. They have private rooms with ensuite baths and fireplaces. Perfect for a single or couple. Hotel Estancia de La Era is located in the heart of Pátzcuaro, one of the most magical places in Mexico, surrounded by lush, natural scenery and a 16th Century colonial architecture. The balance between the city and nature provides the perfect setting for a peaceful relaxation. Your stay includes wonderful amenities while you enjoy the magic of this historic place. *** Please do not make reservations with these hotels on your own. Participants have lost their reservation when they have done this as it’s difficult for the hotel and Casa Werma to keep track of who’s reserved separately and who’s reserved through us. Casa Werma does add a small surcharge to the rates given to us by the hotels to account for PayPal, credit card and other banking fees. Thank you for your understanding. ***

Off-site Estancia de la Era - King Size

Estancia de la Era is a lovely inn only half a block away that gives our guests a special nightly rate when reserved and paid through Casa Werma. This is a large private room, offset from the street with a beautiful view, ensuite baths and fireplace. Guests can indicate whether they would like two twin beds or one king-size bed. Hotel Estancia de La Era is located in the heart of Pátzcuaro, one of the most magical places in Mexico, surrounded by lush, natural scenery and a 16th Century colonial architecture. The balance between the city and nature provides the perfect setting for a peaceful relaxation. Your stay includes wonderful amenities while you enjoy the magic of this historic place. *** Please do not make reservations with these hotels on your own. Participants have lost their reservation when they have done this as it’s difficult for the hotel and Casa Werma to keep track of who’s reserved separately and who’s reserved through us. Casa Werma does add a small surcharge to the rates given to us by the hotels to account for PayPal, credit card and other banking fees. Thank you for your understanding. ***

Commuter

Select this option if you do not require lodging (you have your own home or have made other accommodation arrangements).

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating