Tag: transformation

Reflecting on Our Transformative Half-Day Writers Retreat

by Weam Namou, posted in Books, Communication, Consciousness, film, Spirituality, writing

Two weeks ago, on Saturday, May 3rd, I had the honor of hosting the Authors Guild Half-Day Writers Retreat at the beautiful Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center in Clarkston, Michigan. The event, co-led with the incredible Gethen Christine Morris, was as transformative as I had envisioned. Life has been busy since then—celebrating my 20th anniversary, flying to Vegas for a wedding that ended up being postponed, and preparing for the release of my 21st book—but today I’m pausing to reflect on the power of that gathering and the inspiration it brought to everyone involved.

The retreat was a reminder of the importance of renewing ourselves, reconnecting with our creative goals, and using spiritual tools to move forward in life and art. What made this event even more special was a touching announcement by Melanie Singer, who attended one of my earlier Path of Consciousness spiritual retreats (also at Colombiere). She shared that, thanks to the teachings she experienced, she recently published her children’s book, Martina’s Muy Bad Day (HarperCollins, February 4, 2025). Hearing how Melanie’s journey came full circle was a deeply gratifying moment, reaffirming why events like these are so meaningful.

The retreat was a beautifully structured journey to help writers reconnect with their creativity, refuel their spirit, and dedicate focused time to their craft. It unfolded beautifully, beginning with yoga and meditation led by Gethen Christine Morris, whose shamanic practice brought clarity and inspiration. I followed with a writing workshop, helping participants overcome creative blocks and breathe life into their stories. Over lunch, connections deepened in a warm, supportive atmosphere, with ideas and encouragement flowing freely. A serene Walk & Write session in Colombiere’s natural beauty rounded out the day, leaving everyone inspired, recharged, and ready to create.

This retreat served as a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing both our spiritual and creative selves. If you couldn’t join us, there’s another incredible opportunity on the horizon: the Spring Gathering 2025 at the Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center.

Happening from May 29 – June 1, 2025, this event is open to everyone and follows a “Free or Pay What You Can” model. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in shamanic teachings, meditations, and deep self-exploration. Whether you’re seeking renewal, inspiration, or clarity, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, empowered, and ready to embrace your journey ahead.

For details, visit the event page: Spring Gathering 2025 in Michigan.

As writers, creatives, and just as human beings, we often get caught up in deadlines, expectations, and the noise of everyday life. Events like these remind us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deeper purpose behind our work. Whether it’s through yoga, writing, or simply walking in nature, there’s always a way to rekindle the creative spark within.

To those who joined us on May 3rd, thank you for bringing your energy and openness. To those considering joining us in the future, don’t wait—give yourself the gift of time to write, reflect, and recharge.

Looking forward to writing and growing together!

Love & Blessings,

Weam

Awakening the Dreamer

by Weam Namou, posted in community, Consciousness, Spirituality

One day, I was sitting at my desk, staring at my computer, and thinking of various ways that I could take what I’d learned in my four-year shamanic school out into the world. Typing a few words here and there, the Pachamama Alliance website appeared on the computer screen. It defined itself as a global community that offers people the chance to learn, connect, engage, travel, and cherish life for the purpose of creating a sustainable future that works for all.

I read their story. The Pachamama Alliance was born out of an invitation from the Achuar people to work in partnership with them to preserve their land and culture while bringing forth a new worldview that honors and sustains life. The Achuar people have lived and thrived for centuries deep in the Amazon rain forest, spanning borders of modern-day Ecuador and Peru. They kept their sophisticated culture and worldview remarkably intact as late as the mid-20th century. In Achuar culture, dreams are a guiding principle of life, shared each morning before sunrise. Shamans play an important role in the spiritual life of Achuar communities, including interpretation of dreams. But not all dreams are sweet. Dreams can often require facing and transforming that which you most fear.

Intrigued, I looked deeper into the Pachamama Alliance community and learned they offer different ways for people to learn, engage, and connect locally and globally so they can inspire, educate, and empower each other to build a movement working toward an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet. One of these ways is a free, donation based, online eight-week course called the Game Changer Intensive. In this course, people are able to delve into a wealth of carefully-curated resources, including videos, readings, and activities, at the comfort of their own homes and on their own schedule. There’s also an opportunity to interact with others online and on weekly small group calls.

Over the years, I’ve taken the Game Changer Intensive course three times, the last time having finally met someone local from Ann Arbor. Betsy McCabe, a volunteer moderator of the Game Changer Intensive group calls, is a musician, educator, mother and activist of social justice and environmental sustainability. Betsy grew up in Georgia and has lived in Tennessee and Washington. Michigan has been her home for almost 30 years, where she raised two children. Her educational background is in the liberal arts, and she says that in her “first career” she worked as an environmental policy analyst (including 10 years with the US Environmental Protection Agency), and that in her “second career” she was an independent piano teacher.

“Now in my third career, I am performing and teaching music,” she said, “and I’m engaging and acting for social change and transformation with volunteer work through the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ), Friends of Restorative Justice (FORJ), and the Pachamama Alliance.”

Like me, Betsy is a facilitator of the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, which explores the challenges facing humanity at this critical moment in time and the opportunities we as a human family have to create a new future. This is a half-day workshop developed by the Pachamama Alliance and has been delivered by skilled facilitators to hundreds of thousands of participants in over 380 countries since 2005. People gather at Symposiums around the world to discover the value of ancient wisdom in addressing our modern crises and their personal role in bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet.

I’ve learned so much from the courses offered by Pachamama Alliance and I’m so happy to have met wonderful people along the way, particularly someone local like Betsy. Now, I’m excited to share what I have learned and am grateful that Betsy will help present the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium at The Path of Consciousness spiritual and writing conference and retreat this October 5-7 at Colombiere Retreat Center. Click here for more info about The Path of Consciousnes conference and retreat and join us to help create a new future for our children, grandchildren, and the seven generations to come. 

For more information about the Pachamama Alliance, click here

One of the Best-Kept Secrets

by Weam Namou, posted in community, Consciousness, Spirituality, writing

One beautiful sunny morning in March 2014, I drove to Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center to cover a story for The Chaldean News about a women’s Lenten retreat. It was a Friday and my son, a preschooler, didn’t have school that day. One of the directors of the retreat encouraged me to bring him along so I did.

Colombiere is nestled on acres of towering pines and oaks in Clarkston, Michigan. I remember upon entering the long road that leads to the building, I felt a sudden disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Inside, my son stopped to view some of the statues and look out the window at the walking trails and gardens. We took the elevators to an upper floor and went into a most lovely chapel with bluish décor. Father Sameem Balius was performing mass. He talked about the importance of retreats, how they renew peoples’ faith and help them experience the loving presence of God and to seek the wisdom necessary for good daily living.

Colombiere

 

Later we moved the cafeteria, which was surrounded by large windows. My son and I observed the green acres of land. A few nuns were doing their morning walks. I interviewed the priests and organizers of the retreat, who initially started it years prior “to combine prayer, meditation and spiritual education”, and went home feeling blessed to have had the opportunity to visit this place, especially with my young son. (I included below a link of the article I wrote in 2014).

Two years later, my family and I went to Cancun, Mexico and I ended up participating in a spiritual ceremony that had me thinking to bring home the experience I enjoyed in the Riviera Maya. As an author of 12 books, I wanted to also combine writing workshops with it. I’ve worked with many writers and have found that oftentimes, there are spiritual blocks preventing them from moving forward in their career. I’ve also worked with many people who have healed several issues in their lives through the process of writing. I decided to start a writing and spiritual retreat and named it The Path of Consciousness, based on the sign welcoming patrons to the spiritual ceremony in Mexico. Last year, Reverend Barbara Yarnell of the Center of Enlightenment and another dear friend Lisa Argo offered to help me find the right venue and prepare other necessary work.

IMG_5864

 

Someone suggested we visit Colombiere. The name didn’t ring a bell but when we arrived to the building, upon driving into the long road, I immediately remembered the day my son and I went there, the peace that enveloped me and I’m sure him as well since he was so good throughout the day, allowing me to enjoy mass and interview people. From that one visit, we agreed this is the perfect place for the writing and spiritual retreat and didn’t end up touring other retreats. Later, I discovered that Colombiere is said to be “one of the best-kept secrets.”

Chapel

 

As someone who loves history, when I learned of the story behind Colombiere, I invited Janice Seeley, director of conferences and retreats, to come on my show and share it. Colombiere opened as a Jesuit training facility in 1959. It is named after Claude de la Colombiere, a Jesuit teacher, orator and spiritual director, who lived in France from 1641 to 1682 and was canonized May 31, 1992. In the course of preparation for the priesthood, the young Jesuit undergoes fifteen years of training, years of formation. Some examples of the classes offered in liberal arts were English, Latin, Greek, French, Literature, History, Education, and Speech. This rich background prepares the young Jesuit for further studies in philosophy and theology.

From the beginning, the Jesuit Healthcare Center for retired priests and brothers has been located there, as well as a large community of Jesuits involved in the operation of Colombiere. After the number of seminarians declined by the late 70s and 80s, they decided to open up an infirmary/retirement center for the Jesuit priests. In addition, the remainder of the building opened up as a retreat center. Although the facilities reflect the Jesuit influence, they are not limited to those of the Catholic faith. Colombiere hosts a wide spectrum of non-profit and for profit groups and is available for educational, religious, and governmental day and overnight programs, as well as both corporate and religious retreats.

Aside from having the writing and spiritual retreat there, I’m also considering having the Girl Scout troop which I lead to spend a night or two there, where mothers and daughters can enjoy quiet time without the interruption of electronics or television. If you want to check out the spiritual and writing conference and retreat which will be from October 5 to 7, visit this link The Path of Consciousness
Read Article about Chaldean Women’s Retreat

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