ThroughBeginner’s

Eyes

A Photography Retreat inAssisi, Italy

September 6-12, 2020

Journeys to AssisiPaul Kimmerling

Kimmerling

Through Beginner’s Eyes

“Through Beginner’s Eyes” is an immersion retreat in Assisi, Italy - a unique opportunity to refresh your photography practice in this glorious medieval town, perched above a verdant valley described as the “green heart of Italy”.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.

Suzuki

What are “beginner’s eyes”? Much like the Zen concept of “beginner’s mind”,beginner’s eyes allow us to see the world in a new way – with openness, eagerness and freedom from preconceptions (i.e., what is beautiful, or not). With beginner’s eyes, we break out of our habitual ways of seeing and patterns of picture-making into greater creativity.

Join us to learn practical, repeatable methods to see with beginner’s eyes. We’ll use exercises based on playful imagination, guided visualization, and mindfulness practices, coupled with photographic field trips. You will have an opportunity to refresh your photography practice while learning and sharing with other photographers.

Journeys to Assisi, Paul Kimmerling

Through Beginner’s Eyes

Our schedule (see next page) includes 3 learning sessions at the start of the week. Each session is paired with a field trip to local places of interest where you can practice the techniques you’ve learned. In the afternoons, you may visit local heritage sites such as the Basilica of St Francis, which features frescoes from Italian masters Giotto and Cimabue.

On Thursday, you may do as you wish. This unscheduled time gives you opportunity to wander and feast your eyes or begin a new photo project. Or, both! Assisi is rich in ancient architecture, winding streets, open piazzas, and beautiful vistas. You might stay in town, walk out into the countryside, or take a short train ride to neighboring Spello or Perugia (as in Perugina chocolates).

On Friday, we review our learning and key takeaways for your photography practice back home. That evening we close with a group photo show and dinner.

Who is this retreat for?

• This retreat ideal if you’d like to refresh your digital photography practice, especially if you feel stuck in habitual ways of seeing and picture-making.

• All digital photographers are welcome, regardless of camera. Smartphones and tablets are fine.

Journeys to Assisi, Paul Kimmerling

Sun,9/6

Mon,9/7

Tue,9/8

Wed,9/9

Thu,9/10

Fri,9/11

Sat,9/12

Morning

Breakfast: 8-9

Session 1 +

Field Trip

Breakfast: 8-9

Session 2 +

Field Trip

Breakfast: 8-9

Session 3 +

Field Trip

Breakfast: 8-9

FREE DAY

Breakfast: 8-9

Session 4:Integrating

YourLearning

Breakfast: 8-9

Departure

Lunch Optional Group Lunch

Optional Group Lunch

Optional Group Lunch

FREE DAY Optional Group Lunch

Afternoon

GuesthouseCheck-In

5:30 pm Program

Orientation

FreeTime

FreeTime

FreeTime FREE DAY

Individual Prep Timefor

GroupPhoto Show

Evening7:00pm OpeningDinner

5-6pm:Your

Photographs & Reflections

7pm:Closing Dinner

Through Beginner’s Eyes: September 2020

Journeys to Assisi, Paul Kimmerling

Through Beginner’s Eyes: Expenses September 2020Fixed Costs

• Single room (1 person, 1 bed, incl bath) US 1,800.00 per person, per room, single occupancy• Double room (2 persons, 2 beds, incl bath) US 1,675.00 per person, per room, double occupancy

The above fixed costs include:• 6 nights in Assisi• Breakfast each morning at the hotel; dinner on the first and last nights• Local transportation within Assisi• Morning talks, photography exercises• Escorted field trips for photography exercises; escorted visits to local heritage sites• Supplies (maps, notebooks and pens)

NOTE: A minimum of 5 people is required for the pricing above. A group of 3-4 people will enjoy a highly personalized experience for an additional $500.00 pp. An individual coaching session is included for each participant in groups of 3-4.

Payment Schedule for Fixed Costs:Firm commitment is due on May 15, 2020, with a deposit of 100.00. The balance of your payment is made in two installments due on July 1, 2020 and August 15, 2020. Please refer to the Registration Form for details.

Discretionary CostsThe following are not included in the Fixed Costs, above:• Air travel• Ground transportation to/from Assisi• Lunches and dinners (aside from first/last night dinners)

Journeys to Assisi, Paul Kimmerling

Journeys to Assisi, Paul Kimmerling

Paul Kimmerling is a workshop/retreat leader, coach and spiritual director . He offers individual and group guidance using a blend of wisdom and practices from several traditions - Christian, 12-Step and Eastern. Though affiliated with the Episcopal Church, he works with those from various faith traditions, and those with none. Paul is not a travel agent or a tour guide. For groups in Assisi, he creates and leads workshops and retreats on spiritual topics including the spirituality of Alcoholics Anonymous, photography, and St Francis and St Clare.

Photographyhttps://www.paulkimmerling.com/photography.htmlPaul's photography practice took on new life in 2013 during a particularity difficult personal transition. Challenging himself to look beyond his usual expectations and habits of seeing, he found new ways to express his creativity. You may read more in this article: http://braidedway.org/living-without-grasping-the-insight-of-gratitude-photography/ From 2013-2017, Paul offered photography workshops at various venues including Holy Cross Monastery, Little Portion Friary, Community of St John the Baptist, and the High Line. He conducted an online photography retreat on Facebook.

Journeys to Assisihttps://www.journeystoassisi.comPaul launched Journeys to Assisi to invite others into meaningful immersion experiences focused on the spiritual side of life’s journey. His inaugural retreat in Assisi, “Live the Questions: A Journey with Francis and Clare”, has been offered successfully for 5 different groups from 2013-2018.

Consultinghttp://www.paulkimmerling.com/As an organizational development consultant, Paul offers customized programs and coaching in team development, performance management, and leadership. Paul is the co-developer (with Tim Carlson) of PL@Y, a collaborative discovery and capacity-building program that leverages neuroscience, business research, play theory and creative thinking techniques to get organizations unstuck and boost their innovation capacity. A strong advocate of self-awareness as a keystone for leadership, Paul authored, “Mindfulness: A Building Block of Emotional Intelligence” published online in the AMA Playbook. http://playbook.amanet.org/mindfulness-building-block-emotional-intelligence/