Blog Archives - Photography by John Holliger

What does the Love of Wilderness mean? thoughts by Edward Abbey

2/24/2018

The love of Wilderness Edward Abbey
Why such allure in the very word itself… “wilderness.” What does it really mean?

The love of wilderness is an expression of loyalty to the earth
The earth which bore us and sustains us
The only home we shall ever know.
The only paradise we ever need--
If only we had the eyes to see it.

Original sin is the blind destruction for the sake of
Greed of this natural paradise
Which lies all around us—if only we were worthy of it.

Wilderness invokes nostalgia for the
Lost America which our forefathers knew.
The word suggests the past and the unknown
The womb of the earth
From which all emerged,
Something lost and something still present,
Something remote and at the same time intimate,
Something buried in our blood and nerves,
Something beyond us and without limit.

Kneeling to Drink from the Well: A Silent Retreat June 16, 2018

2/23/2018

Kneeling to Drink from the Well: A Silent Retreat
Rivers Edge Conference Center
Rocky River, Ohio

Saturday, June 16 2018
Part I - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Part II - 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Full Day Fee: $50 (includes lunch)
Morning Fee: $30
Afternoon Fee: $30

Are you in need of refreshment and renewal?

Take this opportunity to pause and spend some time in quiet reflection and rest, gently guided by an experienced director.

In solitude you are invited to see yourself as you are, in this moment.

You may catch glimpses of how you have wanted to be seen; a renewed sense of your unique way of gazing, lovingly, on the world.

This is a day to reset your compass, to catch glimpses of the North Star leading toward a new horizon.

You will receive a copy of John’s beautiful book of photography and reflection to be the spiritual companion and guide for this day of stepping back.

In this unstructured silent retreat, the morning and afternoon sessions will offer quiet time for solitude and reflection.

You may choose to spend time reflecting on the photographs and guidebook, sitting, walking, and journaling as best suits your needs.

The director will be available for guidance and conversation as needed.

At the end of the morning and afternoon all will gather for quiet conversation about what each is experiencing.

At mid-day John will offer meditative ways to have lunch together, silently, being attentive to the fragrances, textures, and tastes of our food. (Full day retreatants only.)

At the end of lunch, we’ll hear the chant of the Great Bell, written by Thich Nat Hanh. (Full day retreatants and afternoon retreatants only.)

Registration process coming soon.