Everyone is an Artist:
A Wabi-sabi Retreat for women
“Through the ordinary state of being, we’re already creators in the most profound way, creating our experience of reality and composing the world we perceive.”
This year’s Everyone is an Artist retreat will explore the theme of wabi-sabi. Leonard Koren beautifully describes wabi-sabi as “a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. A beauty of things modest and humble. A beauty of things unconventional.” But wabi-sabi is not just an aesthetic; it is a way of being—a philosophy that invites us to embrace the tenderness of imperfection and find profound beauty in the ordinary and ephemeral.
Rooted in Japanese culture, wabi-sabi teaches us to cherish the fleeting, the worn, and the understated, reminding us that life’s most precious moments are often found in simplicity. It encourages us to see the magic in everyday rituals, whether it’s savoring a cup of tea, observing the changing seasons, or tending to small creative acts.
During this retreat, we’ll deepen our connection to wabi-sabi through Buddhist teachings, meditation, and reflective practices. Together, we’ll explore the intersection of the Dharma life and a life of creativity, uncovering how these paths intertwine and enrich one another. This journey will help us cultivate mindfulness, gratitude, and a renewed appreciation for the imperfect beauty of the world around us.
While the focus will not be on producing large-scale artworks, this retreat welcomes you to engage in small-scale creative practices. Feel free to bring materials like pens, pencils, thread, needles, or a camera—simple tools that allow you to capture fleeting moments or express your inner reflections. Whether you sketch, stitch, or simply observe, this retreat offers an opportunity to honor the beauty of process over perfection and celebrate creativity as a mindful, everyday act.
Vajradarshini is known for her down to earth approach to Dharma practice. She draws widely on the Buddhist tradition and on contemporary art and culture, weaving them together to create engaging and enjoyable retreats. You can expect a week of reflection and meditation, with some long periods of silence.