2013 Workshops
Awakening Genius: What makes the engine go?
Mark Matousek
Thursday October 17th– Sunday October 20th, 2013
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER
Mark Matousek is the author of two award-winning memoirs, Sex Death Enlightenment: A True Story (an international bestseller) and The Boy He Left Behind: A Man's Search For His Lost Father, as well as When You're Falling, Dive: Lessons in the Art of Living and Ethical Wisdom: The Search for a Moral Life. A past editor at Interview and O: The Oprah Magazine, he is a frequent columnist for The Huffington Post and Psychology Today and has contributed to numerous publications including The New Yorker, Good Housekeeping, Details, Harper’s Bazaar, Yoga Journal, OUT, the AARP Magazine, and Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. He is the Creative Director of V-Men (with Eve Ensler), an organization devoted to ending violence against women and girl. As and instructor and speaker, he works on the faculty of the New York Open Center and The Omega Institute, and offers his popular creativity workshops -- Awakening Genius and The Untold Story -- around the country. His new book, Ethical Wisdom for Friends, will be published in 2013. Mark lives in New York City.
For more information go to Mark’s website... www.markmatousek.com
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Each of us is born with creative genius. Within every one of us there exists an original gift of creative power waiting to be ignited. This creative engine is our genius, a source of inherent brilliance whose dynamic potential can transform our lives once we know how to find it.
Insight is key to this power – desire is its fuel. Artists, seekers, lovers, entrepreneurs – all innovators, in fact – recognize that desire’s the indispensable fuel for creative endeavor. It’s desire that opens new doors, buoys us with passion, expands our horizons, deepens our minds, hearts, and spirit. Desire prompts us to transcend our limits, reinvent ourselves, and harness latent creative intelligence stifled by trying to “shrink to fit” the society in which we live, or the expectations of others. Till we learn to accept our desires, the genius within is beyond our grasp, along with our creative potential.
This four-day workshop will teach you how to locate, embrace, and utilize the power of this “genius engine.” We will begin by examining the question of desire and how we can utilize our unique passions. Next, we will turn to the fear of desire, the obstacles and strategies of self-denial that prevent us from being freely creative. On day three, our focus turns to embracing desire, acceptance of our particular nature and what we wish to manifest in the world. Finally, we will look at pathways to desire, specific strategies for giving birth to personal vision, and compose a plan that can help us maintain our connection to the creative vision moving forward. Each day will begin with meditation followed by a 90-minute teaching, individual writing time, and one on one meeting with the instructor. Afternoon sessions will include dyadic exercises, group sharing (and reading), and sampling of relevant psychological and spiritual literature. Awakening Genius is intended for anyone who’s serious about discovering his or her creative potential and living enlightened, passionate lives.
On his eightieth birthday, the late poet Stanley Kunitz --a paragon of creative self-reinvention -- concluded a poem to his wife with these lines: "What makes the engine go? Desire, desire, desire.” This passionate journey to your interior will guide you to the depths of this creative truth.
Registration and Fees
Before you register please review our workshop information for details about registration, cancellation policies and more...click here ››
Prices are all inclusive unless otherwise indicated. Regular Fee is for a private room. You can save on your room rate by bringing someone with you (see below for Share and Save). It also helps us when you share a room because we have limited room availability. (only 12 rooms or 24 beds.) This allows more people to join in!
To Register please call us at 575.278.3002.
Private Rooms
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL...REGISTER Before August 30th, 2013
$635.00
REGULAR FEE... After August 30th, 2013
$695.00
Share a room with a friend or partner and make your stay more affordable.
You and your roommate must register at the same time to take advantage of this discounted rate.
The Mandala Center cannot guarantee shared accommodations. If you wish to share a room, and do not have a roommate, please ask to be placed on our roommate waiting list. However, if you do not have a roommate at the time of registration you must pay the private room rate. If a roommate is found you will be reimbursed the appropriate amount.
Share and Save
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL...REGISTER Before August 30th, 2013
$530.00 PER PERSON
REGULAR FEE... After August 30th, 2013
$595.00 PER PERSON
Mark Matousek
To Register
Register by calling 575-278-3002
For complete registration details, including information about extended stays, discounts, meals, and scholarships please click here ››
We will complete a registration form with you and give you a total fee due. You may pay by credit card (visa or mastercard) over the phone or send in a check or money order within 10 days payable to The Mandala Center. (PO Box 158 Des Moines New Mexico 88418) Payment in full is expected at the time of registration. Space is not held until payment is arranged.
Do you have a spouse or friend who would like to come on retreat but NOT attend the workshop with you? Call us for prices for lodging and meals only and bring them along too!
Please register early if you are interested in a workshop. Workshops are cancelled one month prior if minimum enrollment is not reached. Don’t delay and take advantage of our early bird prices too!
Check in Information
Check-in begins at 3 p.m. on the first day of your workshop. If you wish to arrive earlier please contact us to inquire about this arrangement. Our staff will assist you with registration and see you to your rooms where you can rest or refresh from travel. Dinner is generally at 6 p.m. followed by a brief orientation with staff and then an evening introduction session with your workshop instructor. Workshop leaders will establish the daily routines/sessions with you. Workshops generally end at lunch time on the final day (usually Sunday). Guests have until 3 p.m. to depart from the grounds. There may be times guests will need to clear their rooms by noon if we have another group coming in but your group will be notified upon arrival of this necessity. You would still be able to take advantage of the general grounds until 3 p.m. if needed.
Cancellation Policies
Our fees and cancellation policies are subject to change at any time without notice.
Although it is our desire that all programs are successful, circumstances do arise that lead to a need for cancellation. The Mandala Center reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If The Mandala Center cancels a program you will receive a full refund on the program and accommodation fees. We are not responsible for travel expenses incurred due to cancellations.
We cannot offer refunds beyond the policies listed. We are not able to give refunds to anyone missing events due to bad weather conditions or for anyone who simply does not show up for a program they have registered for. We cannot give refunds for anyone who must leave a program early or does not participate in portions of a program for any reason.
We keep our fees as low as possible (and our non-profit subsidizes portions of all programs) to make it as affordable as possible for guests. Due to this practice we are unable to reduce rates further or refund beyond our stated policies.
If you must cancel your registration written notice is preferred via email, fax, or mail. information@mandalacenter.org
fax 575-278-3001
PO Box 158 Des Moines NM 88418
Cancellations prior to 30 days: full refund minus a $75 processing fee.
Cancellations made within 15-30 prior: 50% refund of total fee OR a non-refundable credit for the full amount transferable to any future program or stay within one year of issue minus a $150 processing fee. (note: a gift certificate will be issued for credit and must be presented/mentioned upon registration for future event/stay to receive credit.)
Cancellations 8 - 14 days prior: 25% refund of total fee.
Cancellations 7 days or less prior: No refunds are issued.