Harvest, Store, and Scatter: Gathering Wisdom, Planting Seeds — a Heart of Higher Education Retreat Series

As autumn unfolds, what is coming to fruition in and through my life and work in higher ed?
How can the season’s wisdom help me to navigate these perplexing times of transition, challenge, and possibility?
How can I live a life that’s more grounded – in the earth, in these times, and in who I really am?
What might it mean to live with deeper purpose and stronger connection to the seeds of my truest self?

No matter where we are in life, questions like these don’t go away.  As we seek answers, taking time to renew our spirits and to re-connect what we do with who we are is crucial. Autumn is a time when nature casts seeds for the ongoing cycle of life, provides a time for gathering in the harvest of summer’s bounty and for discerning what to use, what to store for another time, and what to let go.  As we turn from the fullness of summer and begin to anticipate the quiet stillness and necessary dormancy of winter – and as we struggle with the myriad challenges of these times – Harvest, Store, Scatter will provide a time for each of us to pause, to take stock, and to explore with intention the questions we’re holding.

Taking time for self-care and reflection is especially important when we find ourselves in the midst of turbulent times.  This retreat series will provide a structured yet soulful “ecosystem” within which we can reflect on our past experiences, explore our current challenges, and reimagine our work in Higher Education.   “Harvest, Store, and Scatter” will provide a rare opportunity to nurture your spirit as you explore questions of purpose and renew your capacity to live, work, and lead from a place that both faces the realities of these tumultuous times and is firmly grounded in your most authentic self.

What to expect:

During this series participants will be invited to:

Harvest: Reflect on what you have learned during your personal and professional journey.

Store: Cultivate practices that help you discern what to keep and what to set aside.

Scatter: Explore how to move forward with courage, curiosity, and care in your community and institution.

Led by experienced Circle of Trust® facilitators Karen Harding and Chris Johnson, these Courage & Renewal® gatherings will provide an opportunity to:

• Deepen our understanding of our own “interior autumn,” including attention to bounty, gratitude, equity, justice, and the common good.
• Explore our sense of identity, purpose, and calling in light of the daunting challenges facing higher education professionals, and with an eye toward what might be emerging in the next steps of the journey.
• Ask open and honest questions that can reveal new depths of insight and wisdom.
• Experience quiet moments for contemplation that invite our inner wisdom to guide us.
• Be held by a remarkable community of support, inspiration, and positive relationship.

The three sessions will include a nourishing mix of solitude, silence, conversation, and opportunity for reflective practice (writing, drawing, movement).   Each session will be grounded in your own experience and fueled with insights from poets, scholars, artists, musicians, the natural world and various wisdom traditions.   Strictly confidential practices of deep listening, discernment, and mutual support will be a key component.

The series is open to educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about the transformative power of higher education. Whether you are a seasoned professional, embarking on new challenges, or in transition from one role to another, this series offers a supportive space to reconnect with your sense of purpose and renew your commitment to meaningful work. It’s an opportunity to step into a season of growth and renewal, alongside a community of like-hearted individuals dedicated to the flourishing of the people and purposes of higher education.