Endorsements
"I love poetry. I write poetry. I listen to poetry readings. The structure of Lectio Poetica - masterfully guided by the Valuseks - has taken me to another level entirely. Now I experience poetry with my heart. It has been quite healing."
- Kati Pressman
"Lectio Poetica is a profoundly gentle and deeply personal experience. Jay and Barbara create a safe, supportive and thought-provoking environment in which each person can do their own work while contributing to the wisdom of the whole group." - Rosemary Williams
"The seven movements in the Lectio Poetica process helped me to probe, integrate, and take action on a personal issue that I have been facing by sitting with Mary Oliver's words more deeply until they morphed into my own. This is Soul Work at its best." - Lynne Foote
"I have participated in Jay and Barbara's poetry retreats over the last few years, guided by their evolving practice and skilled facilitation of Lectio Poetica. Their Sunday morning mini-retrreats thoughtfully combine my favorite elements of contemplative practice: gathering with like-minded souls, silence, beautiful poetry, structured reflection, and intentional sharing. Each time I attend, I learn much, and come away refreshed and enlivened." - Margaret Porter
"I was so thrilled to hear you are offering Lectio Poetica again. Your gatherings made a lasting impression on me, especially one in which we worked with Mary Oliver's poem 'The Mink.' Your group and Mary's poem made a true difference by giving me the grace to approach a very important time with an open heart." - Kathy Dieterich
"Lectio Poetica is a contemplative approach to poetry that aims to help us listen to our inner teacher, and in my experience it works. I've attended several of these poetry retreats, and each time I've been able to get in touch with a deeper wisdom inside. What I write from that space has meaning and power." - Silvine Marbury Farnell
"I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated our last session. The whole morning was so beautiful - the poem, your leadership, the quiet reflection time, the other people's sharing. In listening to the poem, I picked up on the word 'open', and during the silent half hour, I was inspired to write my own poem - a poem of many openings. Thank you so much."
- Joan Podolak
Snippets from other participants: "I love this format." "Very comfortable and non-threatening." "Surprisingly fruitful...wonderfully spacious." "I received much more than I anticipated." "Excellent!"
- Kati Pressman
"Lectio Poetica is a profoundly gentle and deeply personal experience. Jay and Barbara create a safe, supportive and thought-provoking environment in which each person can do their own work while contributing to the wisdom of the whole group." - Rosemary Williams
"The seven movements in the Lectio Poetica process helped me to probe, integrate, and take action on a personal issue that I have been facing by sitting with Mary Oliver's words more deeply until they morphed into my own. This is Soul Work at its best." - Lynne Foote
"I have participated in Jay and Barbara's poetry retreats over the last few years, guided by their evolving practice and skilled facilitation of Lectio Poetica. Their Sunday morning mini-retrreats thoughtfully combine my favorite elements of contemplative practice: gathering with like-minded souls, silence, beautiful poetry, structured reflection, and intentional sharing. Each time I attend, I learn much, and come away refreshed and enlivened." - Margaret Porter
"I was so thrilled to hear you are offering Lectio Poetica again. Your gatherings made a lasting impression on me, especially one in which we worked with Mary Oliver's poem 'The Mink.' Your group and Mary's poem made a true difference by giving me the grace to approach a very important time with an open heart." - Kathy Dieterich
"Lectio Poetica is a contemplative approach to poetry that aims to help us listen to our inner teacher, and in my experience it works. I've attended several of these poetry retreats, and each time I've been able to get in touch with a deeper wisdom inside. What I write from that space has meaning and power." - Silvine Marbury Farnell
"I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated our last session. The whole morning was so beautiful - the poem, your leadership, the quiet reflection time, the other people's sharing. In listening to the poem, I picked up on the word 'open', and during the silent half hour, I was inspired to write my own poem - a poem of many openings. Thank you so much."
- Joan Podolak
Snippets from other participants: "I love this format." "Very comfortable and non-threatening." "Surprisingly fruitful...wonderfully spacious." "I received much more than I anticipated." "Excellent!"