Ikebana Retreat: The Way of Flowers

“I don’t think you learn dharma art, you discover it; and you do not teach dharma art, but you set up an environment so it can be discovered.” – True Perception, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Celebrate Dia de Muertos with the Mindful Art of Flower Arranging

Join us in the days leading up to Día de los Muertos in Patzcuaro, Mexico for a unique retreat that blends the art of Ikebana with mindfulness meditation. Ikebana, the Japanese practice of flower arrangement, offers a contemplative approach to enrich your meditation and deepen mindfulness in everyday life.

What You’ll Learn and Experience:

• An introduction to, or reconnection with, meditation practice
• An understanding of how to connect with the qi (life force energy) of a flower, and invite its wisdom into your home and meditation practice
• Instructional demonstrations on how to create an ikebana arrangement, interwoven with contemplative dharma art, Buddhist, and Taoist teachings
• Creating flower arrangements each day
• Practical learning and tips on ikebana equipment, where to purchase, and how to use it
• A greater awareness of nature, the environment, and the world of flowers
• Connection with other meditators and people that love flowers and contemplative arts

This retreat will also feature a guided excursion to the vibrant Cempasúchil (marigold) flower fields, the opportunity to create a floral mandala for the Día de los Muertos shrine at Casa Werma, and a celebratory dinner infused with the beauty of flowers.

Ikebana Equipment & Materials list. Each participant shall be provided with all the equipment and flower material required for the retreat. The equipment includes a set of essential starter Ikebana tools including: scissors (general, all-purpose), a 3-inch Japanese kenzan, and a 10-inch suiban-style container (wheat straw bowl). These items will be provided during the retreat and are yours to take home. Note: experienced practitioners are welcome to bring their own supplemental equipment.

For all skill levels. No artistic experience required.

Program Dates: The first and last program dates for any program at Casa Werma are considered primarily travel days. We start with dinner on the first listed program day, followed by orientation and opening remarks by the teacher. On the final listed program day, there will be no program activities and a light, continental breakfast will be available to all participants.

Full program tuition not including accommodations: $695 usd. We invite all who are able to do so to pay the full tuition rate.  By doing so, you directly support Casa Werma’s operating budget, helping to sustain our dharma programs, maintain our facilities and ensure the continued care of this sacred place throughout the year.

Pay-It-Forward program tuition not including accommodations: $803 usd. We invite all who are able to do so to consider paying the Pay-It-Forward tuition rate. By doing so, you make it possible for us to offer scholarships to others, particularly our Mexico sangha, while also contributing to Casa Werma’s year-round operations. Please select Pay-It-Forward Tuition Add-On in Registration.

Travel arrangements: We recommend booking flights to Morelia Airport, located just 90 minutes by car from Casa Werma. Ground transportation with a private driver from the airport is available for $80 usd each way. If you need assistance with your travel arrangements, please don’t hesitate to inquire about available options. For more details, visit our How to Get Here page. 

Additionally, all participant air travel will be offset through The Good Traveler carbon offset program to help reduce environmental impact.

Please note Día de Muertos is our most popular holiday, and accommodations fill up quickly. We encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible! Casa Werma has partnered with the lovely Estancia de la Era for guest stays, or you are welcome to find your own hotel or Airbnb in the area. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at reservations@gmail.com
We’re here to help make your stay as smooth and memorable as possible during this special time of year.