Artist and Sharpham Trust retreatant Michael was so grateful to us for deepening his mindful practice that he gave us his house - an etched one!
He created a fine aquatint etching of Sharpham House - a limited edition of one - that now hangs in the Maurice Ash room.
Said Michael: “I created this etching of Sharpham House with a sense of gratitude for the rewarding and restorative times that I have spent there.”
Michael tried meditation first around four years ago through an online mindfulness course, but found it challenging to maintain a consistent practice. He said: “I struggled with my thoughts, emotions, and a very wandering mind, so found it difficult to build any sort of workable practice that I could use in my everyday life”.
His breakthrough came when he attended a summer retreat at Sharpham House. “The guided help I received within the supportive group atmosphere helped me adjust my approach to practice and encouraged me to take things further through other retreats, including silent and self-guided retreats at both Sharpham House and the Coach House,” he said.
“The free time I spent exploring the grounds, observing wildlife and taking longer walks became an invaluable part of the programme for me, fostering a sense of calm and receptivity that often carried into the guided sessions”.
He says he now has a greater sense of ease: “Over time, these retreat experiences deepened my meditation practice over time, helping me to observe my wandering mind and return to the present moment by attending to my breathing and body sensations. In my daily life, I noticed more of a sense of space and perspective around my thoughts, emotions and impulses, so I didn’t feel as compelled to act in habitual ways”.
Michael admits that he found meditation practice difficult and outside his comfort zone at the beginning, but he has stayed with it. “I have been amazed at the benefits I’ve felt in all areas of my life, from creativity and relationships to managing stressful situations,” he said. “Meditation ultimately became a transformative experience for me, improving my mindset and enriching my daily life”.
“I’m an artist in London and created this etching of Sharpham House with a sense of gratitude for the rewarding and restorative times that I’ve spent there”.
Michael's etching was framed by The Leading Edge gallery at Ivybridge, Devon
At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.
We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, outdoor learning and the arts.
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