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…
Dear friends, At a dark time in my life when I desperately needed a spiritual community and divine feminine energy, the people and the sacred space of Prairiewoods helped bring me healing and illuminated my path. Since first experiencing the magic of Prairiewoods five years ago, I have experienced an intense time of breaking down,…
Prairiewoods is preparing for our annual Spirituality in the 21st Century event May 5 and 6. This year, Dr. Lisa Miller will talk about the connections between spirituality and mental health. We asked Prairiewoods friend Kimberly Abram questions about her experiences as a school counselor and how she thinks Dr. Miller’s work could impact each…
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or other precious metals. The object is more beautiful and valuable after being put back together. The Franciscan Spirituality Center (Prairiewoods’ sister center in La Crosse, Wisconsin) has hosted multiple retreats focused on this practice, and we are able to bring this retreat to…
As we move into the new year and the light steadily grows, I find myself reflecting on the fullness of life that emerges through connection and balance—within ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. It is a process of embracing the richness of existence: the beauty, the challenges, and the quiet moments that call…
Want to learn more? Join Dr. Lisa Miller in Cedar Rapids or virtually on May 5 or 6 for Spirituality in the 21st Century: The Awakened Brain. Learn more here.
Join us for the Pathways to Peace: Food as Relationship Retreat Jan. 24–26, 2025. Learn more and register on our website. “What would happen, for example, if we were to start thinking about food as less of a thing and more of a relationship?” —Michael Pollan Peace, as defined by the Earth Charter, is the…