Wintering Together: Finding Creativity and Connection in the Long Dark Night
Upper Midwest Wake Up Winter Solstice Retreat
Thursday, December 17–Sunday, December 20, 2026
Join Blooming Heart Wake Up Sangha (Twin Cities, MN), Wake Up Mindfulness Community (Milwaukee, WI), and Madison Wake up Sangha (Madison, WI) for a special Winter Solstice retreat for young adults aged 18–39. We will gather in community to honor the solstice and explore what it means to winter together. Inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the global Wake Up movement, this retreat offers a space to connect with the deep stillness of the season.
Over four days, we will weave together dharma talks, Q &A with our Cedars (elder practitioners), guided mindfulness practices such as sitting, walking, and mindful movement, as well as deep listening circles. Creative offerings include art, journaling, crafting, mending, and solstice-inspired ceremonies to create a space of intentional reflection and belonging. Participants will also have time for winter walks, sauna, and noble silence to support rest, spaciousness, introspection and clarity.
Whether you are new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll leave with fresh insights, renewed purpose, and the strength of friendships formed through shared rest and stillness.
About the Organizing Team
This year’s wake up retreat is being organized by a collection of individuals in the wake up age who have come together with a desire to create a space for other younger practitioners to practice, rest, and build community. Sunny Draves-Kellerman, Laura Loucks, Ilse Spencer, Amber Janusz, and Miguel Tahmoressi have all been practicing mindfulness in the plum village tradition of Buddhism for varying amounts of time. Each brings their own flavor of practice and experience, and each is excited to be coming to the Christine center to practice with you!
