Poetry, Prayer, and Inner Peace
With Anne Sussman and Diana Schlobohm
October 30 - November 2, 2025
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Words have energy—and the power to stir something deep within us. So does the profound peace that comes from wordless silence. This retreat will explore the yin/yang of both, combining “spiritual listening” with Noble Silence. There will be meditations and journaling, woods walks and mindful eating, and daily explorations of the weight of the written word, all within the embrace of silence.
“Anne was nothing short of extraordinary—insightful, authentic, and approachable (and funny). Her gentle guidance helped us navigate the inner journey with wisdom and care. Each day was beautifully structured, yet spacious enough to allow for personal reflection. By the end of the retreat, I felt a profound sense of renewal, clarity, and inner peace. It was a revelatory experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking stillness, self-discovery, and a deeper connection to the present moment.”
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
What inspires you? What are your daily spiritual practices? How do those practices move you closer to who you want to be? For Anne Sussman, the answer has been a combination of meditation, silence and reading poetry and prayers.
Beginning in the 12th century, Lectio Divina became a central practice of monastic life, a practice followed by monks who also observed silence. We will use it as a organizing principle for this retreat, a way to access a place of “spiritual listening”, a means of connecting with the deepest part of who you are—and with something greater.
Twice a day we will gather to explore poems and non denominational spiritual writings, using the framework: Read, Reflect, Respond, Rest. After sharing what has moved us deeply we will re-enter silence.
You will have the opportunity to go deeply inward, to connect to the inner knowing and discover the eternal nature of who you really are, a spiritual being with a physical experience.
Find the peace and stillness that you may be searching for outside yourself and realize it is and always has been within!
RETREAT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Shamatha and guided meditations
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna
OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Thursday, October 30
| 3:00 PM | Check in begins |
| 4:30 PM | Welcome and Introduction |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner With Conversation |
| 7:15-9:15 PM | Discussion prior to entering Noble Silence |
| Silence Begins | |
| Guided Meditation | |
| Gentle and Restorative Yoga |
Friday, October 31-Saturday, November 1
| 7:30-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
| 8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast, Eating Meditation |
| 9:00-10:30 AM | Morning Learning and Meditation |
| 10:30 AM-12:00 PM | Personal Reflection Time |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30-3:00 PM | Afternoon Learning and Meditation |
| 3:30-4:45 PM | Gentle and Restorative Yoga |
| 4:45-6:00 PM | Personal Reflection |
| 6:00-7:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30-8:30PM | Evening Learning and Meditation |
Sunday, November 2
| 7:30-8:00 AM | Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional |
| 8:00-8:45 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00-10:30 AM | Silence Ends, Sharing Circle |
| 10:30-11:00 AM | Yoga |
| 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Q&A |
| Closing Circle | |
| 12:00-1:00 PM | Lunch with conversation |
| 1:00 PM | Checkout and Departure |
Teachers
Anne Sussman is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Instructor. She helps her students create a fluency in mindfulness, empowers individuals to be compassionate listeners, and shares techniques for living in high vitality. She is the founder of the Mindfulness Meeting Place, a virtual studio that meets students wherever they are, helping them develop a calm mind, focused attention and greater well-being. Anne offers instruction to individuals, small groups, and organizations. She is a 2015 graduate of the McLean Meditation Institute, and a certified trainer of the MMI-Mindful program. Her mindfulness education courses, tailored to companies large and small, are designed…
Learn more about Anne Sussman
As an experienced restorative yoga teacher, I believe in the profound healing power of stillness. My approach is rooted in the understanding that rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. Before graduating from my 200-hour yoga teacher training, I taught pilates for 10 years. I create spaces that are quiet, peaceful, and nurturing, where everyone is welcomed just as they are. Using props, gentle cues, and breath awareness, I support my students in surrendering effort and releasing tension held deep within the nervous system. Restorative yoga is not about achieving a pose, but…
Learn more about Diana Schlobohm
