Mark Bryant and Cory Blake will hold this retreat combining meditation in the spirit of Springwater Center with Continuum body work. See the Big Sky Mind ~ Big Ocean Body website for full information about this way of working.

Please contact Mark Bryant at markbryant108@gmail.com or 434-392-7916 to register or for more information.

Retreat Fee: $650 Registration Deadline: September 25

Big Sky Mind ~ Big Ocean Body is a meditation and movement retreat that integrates meditation as practiced in the spirit of Springwater Center with Continuum movement-based somatic work. In the retreat environment of Big Sky Mind ~ Big Ocean Body, we discover the intimate relationship between movement and stillness and how each informs and nourishes each other. Indeed we find that movement and stillness are not separate.

Open Awareness is the meeting point between meditation and Continuum. In meditation we immerse in open awareness in the stillness of sitting, standing, or reclining. In Continuum we immerse in open awareness in movement, breath, and sound. The same present moment awareness is the foundation of both and same spirit of creative inquiry infuses both.

The Retreat Format is balanced between periods of meditation and?? Continuum. The first three days will be an opportunity to learn movement?? inquiries, settle into the rhythm of meditation, engage in group dialogue, nourish our field of community and co-create our practice space. The last four days will be an immersion into collective and creative silence. All activities are optional and there will be ample time to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding Spingwater Center.

Continuum is a modality of somatic inquiry that utilizes movement, breath and sound that engages our fluid nature. This process leads us into conscious relationship with all of life. The awakening of this consciousness infuses every part of our being with spontaneous grace and ease, and it facilitates body-mind awakening and healing.

Meditation is the simple, timeless work of open awareness and deep listening. It awakens us to our rich inner life and allows for deeper connection with others. The dynamic and sustained present moment silence-stillness of meditation allows space and clarity to enter, nourish and heal, and for our inherent intelligence-wisdom to emerge.

Cory Blake

Cory Blake is a Continuum teacher and guitarist, educator, composer, and Duke- trained Integrative Health Coach. He has performed in numerous venues and taught on the faculties of both Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond. A long time student of meditation and human potential inquiries, Cory began studying with Emilie Conrad and Susan Harper, the founders of Continuum, in 1992. He is an Integrative Health Coach at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, VA.

Mark Bryant

Mark Bryant began formal meditation practice in 1986 in the Zen Buddhist tradition. In 1996 he began working with Toni Packer, founder of Springwater Center, and he continues to work with other teachers that Toni named to carry on this work. He has extensive retreat experience in Zen sesshins and at Springwater Center. He co-founded the Richmond Meditative Inquiry Group in Richmond, VA. Mark is an artist who has exhibited his paintings in the U.S., Canada, and Asia.