Hollister House Garden

Artists and Photographers
2026-06-03 09:00 - 2026-08-26 13:00 (America/New_York) | Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road, Washington, CT, 06759
Gardens invite us to slow down, clear our minds, and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world. In this two-hour workshop, participants will explore the garden as a metaphor for our lives and as a place of renewal. Buddhist priest Brian Vaugh and Woodbury poet laureate emerita Sandy Carlson will lead guided meditations and share poems designed to inspire personal reflection. Participants will also have time to explore the garden rooms and find a quiet place for individual meditation. The workshop concludes with an opportunity to share reflections with the group. No previous meditation experience is necessary, and no special equipment is required. Come prepared to pause, listen, and experience the garden—and yourself—with renewed attention.
Participants are welcome to bring a cushion or yoga mat or to settle comfortably on the steps, lawns, and benches throughout Hollister House Garden.
Brian Vaugh has been an ordained Buddhist monk in the Zen tradition since 2000. His spiritual path began in a Catholic monastic seminary and has included the study of many religious traditions. He has served as a chaplain in hospice, prison, and hospital settings, and describes his work in hospitals as especially meaningful. After decades of spiritual study and service, Brian continues to find a rich and lively source of wisdom in his grandchildren.
Sandy Lee Carlson is a widely published poet, an educator, and poet laureate emerita of Woodbury. A dedicated advocate for poetry in her community, she founded the monthly open mic at the Woodbury Public Library and organizes literary events throughout Litchfield and New Haven counties. As managing partner of Orenaug Mountain Publishing, she edits and publishes poetry anthologies. She is the host of People and Their Poems, a podcast featuring conversations with area poets about their work and the poems that have shaped their lives.
Registration: $25

REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP

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