Writing: A Place of Practice
March 1 – 6, 2027
Taos, New Mexico
Gathering begins Monday at 5pm • Closing Saturday at 11am (MST)
Join me in a place of practice. Step into a space where we hold silence and where we raise our voices to be heard. A place where there is no praise or blame, no good or bad. A place where writing becomes not only an action of putting words to the page but also a practice that leads us back to ourselves. A place where we’ll gather for seated meditation, for slow walks, and for lively book discussions.
Come to this place that sits at the edge of pueblo land, anchored by the sacred Taos Mountain. Inhale the scent of sage and listen for the coyote’s howl. Feel the energy of the creatives who have occupied this space for nearly one hundred years. People just like you and me. Eager to create, to form a supportive community, to come home to ourselves. Come discover where writing practice might take you.
Location
Our retreat will be held at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, an historic inn in Taos, New Mexico. Here, creatives have gathered for nearly 100 years.
The inn is an easy walk to the Taos Plaza and offers wonderful views of Taos Mountain and the pueblo lands. The authentic nature of Mabel’s includes uneven stairs, cobbled walking surfaces, and guest rooms without television or internet access.
When registering, please include your top three choices for the room you’d like to stay in (see descriptions). Let me know if you have any special needs.
Albuquerque International Airport is a 2 ½ drive from Taos. There is also an airport in Santa Fe, a one-hour drive from Taos. Shuttles, private transport, or rental cars can be arranged from either location.
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In addition to daily class gatherings, the retreat fee includes:
Five nights at Mabel Dodge Luhan House. All the rooms have private baths.
All meals, beginning with dinner on Monday and ending with breakfast on Saturday. Sophia, the head chef, is legendary for her delicious food and can accommodate dietary requests with advance notice.
✴︎ Shared room: $2,000
✴︎ Private room: $2,400
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To register for the retreat, please email Barbara at barbara@barbaracourtney.com.
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place in the retreat. The balance is due by January 2, 2027. Payments can be made by Venmo or check. Checks for payments should be sent to:
Barbara Courtney, PO Box 1205, West Tisbury MA 02575
A limited number of scholarships or reduced fees may be available. If you wish to be considered, please contact Barbara at barbara@barbaracourtney.com.
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If you need to cancel your registration for any reason, please let me know as soon as possible by emailing Barbara at barbara@barbaracourtney.com. If someone fills your spot, your payment will be refunded, minus your $500 nonrefundable deposit. If no one fills your spot, you will not receive a refund.
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I’m happy to answer questions or to discuss specifics aspects of the retreat with you. Please email Barbara at barbara@barbaracourtney.com.
Schedule
Our daily schedule will be similar to this:
7:30 – 8:00 Morning sit (optional)
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
9:30 – 12:00 Morning session
12:15 – 1:15 Lunch
1:15 – 4:00 Open space
4:00 – 5:00 Writing practice (optional)
5:00 – 6:00 Reading and listening practice (optional)
6:00 Dinner
7:00 – 7:30 Evening sit (optional)
7:30 Open space
Due to the contemplative nature of the gathering, participation in morning sessions is expected. Afternoons will allow open space for personal practice, writing, reading, exploring Taos. There will be daily options for additional seated meditation and organized writing practice.
We will leave cell phones, laptops and smart watches outside the classroom.
FAQ
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The Mabel Dodge Luhan House is an historic inn and retreat center. Guest rooms are located in the Main House (constructed 1918 – 1922) and the newer Juniper House.
Guests staying in Mabel’s Room, Tony’s Room, or room 3, 4, 7, or 8 in Juniper House will have stairs to navigate. The Solarium is on the 3rd floor with steep, ladder-like stairs. There are no elevators, and the inn does not have staff to help transport luggage.
There are (somewhat uneven) stairs from the parking area to the main house. There are also uneven walking surfaces in the courtyard. Comfortable shoes are essential!
Mabel’s sits at the edge of Taos Pueblo which is sovereign land and trespassing is forbidden.
The house is an easy 10-minute walk to Taos Plaza where you will find an assortment or shops, restaurants, and galleries.
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The retreat fee includes all meals, beginning with dinner on Monday night and ending with breakfast on Saturday morning. Sophia, the chef at Mabel’s, is generous in her willingness to accommodate dietary restrictions, with advance notice. Please let me know your preferences when you register. Meals are abundant and delicious and there is always hot water for tea available as well as baked goods and fruit for snacking.
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Taos sits at an altitude of 7000 feet. Many participants find it helpful to begin taking chlorophyll two weeks prior to arrival and to continue taking it during their stay. Hydration is also important so please bring a refillable water bottle and keep it filled.
Those traveling by air can fly into the airport in Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Rental cars as well as shuttle vans and private cars can be arranged for transport to Taos.
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A receptionist is at the front desk from 8:00am until 8:00pm daily. The staff is warm and welcoming and available to answer questions about both the house and all things Taos.
If you are arriving after 8:00pm, an envelope with your key and room information will be taped to the front door of the main house.
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In addition to writing practice, days will include seated meditation, slow walking, and reading/listening sessions. Silence will be held from wakeup until dinner each day. We will talk during class and reading sessions and you are free to have conversations when you are off campus. Guest room walls can be thin and in respect for one another, you are encouraged to speak quietly if it is required.
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There are no telephones, televisions, or internet in the guest rooms. There is internet available in the common area of the main house.
