Fall Meditation & 

Writing Retreat

in the Catskills

Friday, October 2 -

Monday, October 5

  • Take a break and bring your full attention to your writing.

  • Sink into the support of group energy.

  • Begin, develop, or finish a project with structured time and gentle guidance.

photo of Beecher Lake by Karen Dodds

Welcome to Breathe/Read/Write

Breathe/Read/Write gathers people (writers and non-writers alike) to meditate, take in a “prompt poem,” freewrite, and share. This ritual gives us ways to help each other stay open to and continue to care for the world.

Prompt poems are pieces that Lisa presents after the meditation to spur our freewriting. Each BRW circle has its own theme. Aside from this retreat, most BRWs happen in Zoom. Sessions last from 1 to 3 hours and serve different purposes as described here.

***

Lisa Freedman started BRW in 2016. She's a certified meditation teacher and an author, writing coach, and professor at The New School. She has taught and presented extensively, including for the New York Zen Center, United Nations, Extinction Rebellion, International Women’s Writing Guild, and many others.

Contact Lisa with any questions.

View from Beecher House

Retreat Schedule

photo of Beecher Lake by Karen Dodds

Day One

Arrive, settle in, and connect with your fellow writers.

Welcome


7 pm

“Here We Are” Round of BRW


7:45 pm

Post-Dinner Dance Break & Salon

Check In (tea & snacks available)

starting at 12:30 pm

First round of Breathe/Read/Write (BRW) to introduce ourselves

Orientation & Happy Hour

4 pm

Gratitude Meditation ~ Before each meal, an optional pause to acknowledge the earth, the labor, and the food!

5:30 pm

Dinner

5:45 pm

Beecher Lake

photos of Beecher Lake by Karen Dodds

misty beecher lake
Days Two & Three

Time to Breathe & Write & Explore


7:15 am

Morning Meditation


8 am

Breakfast


9 am

Morning BRW



12:15 pm

Gratitude Meditation


12:30 pm

Lunch Break

Open Time to Explore and Write - on your own or guided*

10 am


5  pm

Tea Time & Happy Hour

Open Time to Explore and Write - on your own or guided*

2 pm

5:30 pm

Gratitude Meditation



5:45 pm

Dinner Break


Evening BRW & Dance Break & Salon around the fireplace

7:15 pm

* Want more info about working 1-on-1 with Lisa during the retreat?

Buddha on Beecher Lake

photo of Beecher Lake by Karen Dodds

Day Four

Collaborative Souvenir Project & Departure

We’ll gather writings, sketches, and photographs to make a group booklet. Lisa will digitize and send out to remind us of our time together.


7:15 am

Morning Meditation


8 am

Breakfast


9 am

BRW Circle



12:15 pm

Gratitude Meditation


12:30 pm

Lunch & Departure

Write on your own or work with others on souvenir booklet.

10:15 am

Sign up! Early bird ends July 11.

BRW Fall Retreat
from $770.00

Join BRW in the Catskills for a meditation and writing retreat from October 2 to October 5, 2026.

Early bird pricing ends on July 11.