The other day I was walking near the woods and the birds were so vocal, all together, that it reminded me of the holidays back home when I was growing up. And the poem Swimming appeared. I love this season as the murmurations start back into full swing. This is something I was able to see growing up.…
In early May, we gathered in Cedar Rapids for Spirituality in the 21st Century: The Awakened Brain—a powerful event centered on the vital connection between spirituality and mental health. Together, we explored what it means to be torch bearers: those who courageously speak about spirituality in a world often hesitant to do so. We learned…
Everyone here at Prairiewoods looks forward to June when we host our annual Garden Party fundraiser. It’s a beautiful time of year here as things begin to bloom in the woods and out on the prairie, and we’re thrilled to welcome our Garden Party guests to our beautiful facilities and grounds. More importantly, it’s also…
When I began my marketing internship at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, I expected that I would grow professionally. I didn’t realize how deeply I would be impacted in a personal way. Prairiewoods isn’t just a job; it’s a space where you feel welcomed and at peace. As an intern, I’ve worn several hats: photographer, videographer,…
Each year, as winter melts into spring, an ancient rhythm begins to stir. The light returns, the birdsong grows louder, and the world seems to lean forward, pressing us toward movement, change, renewal. And yet, for many of us—myself included—this time of re-entry is the hardest part of the cycle. Spring insists we wake up.…
Interconnectedness is one of the underpinnings of ecological spirituality. For many of us, it is something we innately know or feel. For others, the concept remains abstract. Dr. Lisa Miller—author and researcher from Columbia University—will join us May 5 and 6 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and virtually. In our time together, she will share her research findings…
For the last year, Prairiewoods has been exploring six important principles that are central to an ecological spirituality. Principles that are supported by science as well as our own experience. We have talked about the Universe Story, transcending dualism, revisiting a sense of oneness, multi-disciplinary wisdom and moving from dominion to kinship. The sixth principles…
Strengthening our spirituality is more than something that feels good or is “nice to do.” According to research by Dr. Lisa Miller from Columbia University, cultivating our spirituality is imperative for our thriving, wellbeing and wholeness. As we care for our physical bodies through the food we eat, the movement we participate in and the rest…
The methods of self-cultivation found in Chinese meditation, Qigong and Tai Chi were developed over thousands of years as a way to remain strong and balanced when confronted by times of cultural and political unrest similar to today. In this retreat we will learn some of these methods to enhance our wellness, improve our ability…
Many of us have had to say goodbye to someone far too soon as the weight of mental illness has become too heavy. Or we’ve sat on the side of a hospital bed, gutted and in shock that a loved one has attempted to take their life. The epidemic of depression, anxiety, addiction and other…