Poetry Model - Group Spiritual Direction/Authenticity Retreat: 10-6pm
Ask everyone to arrive by 10am
Welcome: Everyone is invited to get a cup of coffee, water, tea, etc. Grab a journal if they did not bring one. Grab a poetry book if they did not bring something with them and are welcome to look through them. This is a time to introduce ourselves unofficially, catch up with anyone we know, or just sit in silence. Take 30 minutes to settle into your body, settle into the space, and just pause.
Opening Exercise: the name game (shake out bodies, help break any nervous tension, etc)
Meditative Center: Drumming and guidance through a light body exercise to help ground everyone and set the stage for contemplative awareness. Drum and ask reflective questions to get our minds open:
- What are we inviting into this moment?
- What within you is asking to be heard today?
- Is there something you are being invited to change or explore?
Remind them that they are in sacred space - meaning they are safe to let down any masks and expectations. They can express themselves freely. This is a space of loving support and everyone is welcome to exist exactly how they wish to be. It is sacred because it is special, it is special because we have decided to carve out a time and place together. This is co-creation.
Drumming ends and we take three deep breaths as a group. SD invites everyone to place an item on the altar in the middle of the room - anything they feel represents them in who they are; saying their name as they do so.
Calling in the intention for the day: SD Leads and then opens the floor - anyone who wants to share what came up for them in the meditation can do so. If no one wants to share or if only a few people do, then ask how everyone is feeling. is anyone nervous? Feeling resistant? Hopeful?
11:30 - Break for lunch! Come back 12:30.
Introduce the practice of Lectio Divina and explain that we are going to use poetry as our primary medium for the day. Typically done to connect with The Divine - we are seeking to connect to the divine within us - our authentic core. We do this by being open and honest with ourselves, what particular word or phrase comes up for us, does it touch anything in our actual lives, what emotions or sensations do we feel in our body, what images arise from it? Write it down and do not worry about making it seem cohesive. This could be bullet points, it could be stream of consciousness, etc. Just write what comes up for you. Explain the 1-2 word echo's from each person's share.
1) The Initial Sowing:
Person A reads Poem 1 aloud for the first time.
The Silence: 2–3 minutes of absolute quiet. Everyone writes down their raw imagery, feelings, or words in their notebooks.
2) The Multi-Reflection Carousel (The "Rinse & Repeat" Core)
Round 1: Person A’s Reflection- Person A reads the poem again and shares what it means to their authentic self.
Persons B, C, D, E, and F each give just a word or two that they really hear in Person A's words.
Director Summarizes: You anchor Person A's share and transition.
Round 2: Person B’s Reflection - Person B shares their reflection on Poem 1 from their notebook.
The other 4 people (A, C, D, E, F) give just a word or two they hear in Person B's share.
Director Summarizes: You anchor Person B's unique lens.
Round 3: Person C’s Reflection - Person C shares their reflection on Poem 1.
The other 4 people offer their 1-word echoes.
Director Summarizes Person C.
So on and so forth
3) Phase 3: The Poem Closure
Communal Silence: Once all 6 parties have shared and been summarized, you call for 2–3 minutes of silent integration.
The Transition: You officially close the chapter on Poem 1, take a deep breath, and hand the floor to Person B to introduce Poem 2 to start the entire process over.
The cycle repeats until all people have shared their poem.
********IMPORTANT: take a 10 minutes tea and coffee break half way through (after poem 3)
Invitation to take some reflective pause; walk around, be in nature, and agree to come back after 15-30 minutes minutes depending on how much time is left.
Bringing everyone back: Drumming and deep breathing - Gentle movement Body scan to ground us back in the moment.
Closing Discussions:
Round 1: The Vulnerability of Sharing and Echoing
The Prompt: "How did it feel to share your raw inner reflections out loud, and then immediately hear the group throw back a word or two? What did it feel like to have your words mirrored without anyone trying to fix or advise you?"
What this illuminates: This helps participants notice if their authentic self felt safe, defensive, or relieved. It highlights the power of simple validation.
Round 2: The Gift of the Offering
The Prompt: "How did it feel to watch five other people make completely unique meaning out of the poem you brought into the room? What was it like to see your offering touch others in ways you didn't expect?"
What this illuminates: This cultivates a deep sense of spiritual generosity. It shows the speaker that their choice had a ripple effect across five other distinct internal worlds.
Round 3: any open discussion that emerges naturally.
-----------------------
Actual timeline TBD - I will have to do a trial run with circle of facilitators to see how long each poetry run will last.
The Master Retreat Timeline (10:00 AM – 5:10 PM)
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Welcome & Settle
Coffee, tea, journaling prep, unmasking, and settling into the physical space.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Opening Exercise & Meditative Center
Name game, grounding drumming, body exercise, altar placement, and opening reflections.
11:30 AM – 12:50 PM: Lunch Break (about 60 mins)
a full hour ensures people can properly digest and rest.
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM: Intro to Lectio Divina / Poetry Practice
setting expectations for non-judgmental listening, writing down raw imagery, and explaining the "1-word echo" rule.
12:45 PM – 2:30 PM: Poetry Carousel: Part I
Poem 1 : Initial sowing, 6 shared reflections, 1-word echoes, director summaries, and poem closure.
Poem 2 : Full loop.
Poem 3 : Full loop.
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Comfort, Stretch & Tea Break
Essential mental break to clear the air before moving to the next set of poems.
2:45 PM – 4:30 PM: Poetry Carousel: Part II
Poem 4 : Full loop.
Poem 5: Full loop.
Poem 6: Full loop.
4:30 PM – 5 PM: Reflective Pause & Nature Walk
Private, silent integration time outside to sit with their notebook entries.
5PM -- 5:15PM: Regrounding & Re-entry
Gentle drumming, body scan, and shifting back into the collective circle.
5:15 PM – 6 PM: Closing Harvest Discussions (34 mins)
Round 1 : The Vulnerability of Sharing and Echoing.
Round 2 : The Gift of the Offering.
Round 3 : Open discussion, final director blessing/summary, and departures.
