Mama Bird Birth Services
  • home
  • about elizabeth
    • kind words >
      • contact
  • birth classes
    • Combination Online & Private
    • upcoming group class dates
    • fully online birth classes
    • private class or consultation
  • birth doula

Starting your own

Monthly Marker Meditation Practice

workshop & ongoing gatherings


Picture
Picture
Picture

A spiritual practice that has been a tremendous source of help for me and which has continually piqued the interest of friends who have observed its development in my life has been my "Monthly Marker Meditation" practice.  At the beginning of each month I sit with a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of blank card stock, a pile of markers and allow myself to contemplate the present, reflect back on the past and set intentions for the month ahead. Words, images, color schemes, quotes, lyrics and just as importantly, margins of blank space fill the page and serve as a visual reminder for me to stay in alignment with to my true self, my values and my purposes throughout the month. It has become a beloved ritual that I don't expect to ever give up.

If this sounds intriguing, let me invite you to participate in my Starting your own Monthly Marker Meditation Practice workshop. In this 90 minute workshop I will provide an accessible starting point for you to form your own practice based on the methods that I have found to be helpful, but with the total freedom to adapt and create your own individual approach.

For the first half of the workshop, the presentation of ideas and inspiration will be infused with opportunities to draw and sketch along the way so that your mind, heart and hands can stay engaged the entire time.

The second half is dedicated to pure practice with specific helpful prompts. This practice portion also includes the opportunity (but not the requirement) to share your scribbles and insights with each other, to listen deeply to one another, and if welcomed by the person sharing, to respond with thoughtful reflection and affirmation. 


Make no mistake, I am NOT an artist, and you don't need to be either to appreciate and enjoy this process and practice. Just show up with an open heart, some pages to write on, some tools to draw with and together we will make some marker magic!

Live virtual workshop

Each quarter this workshop is offered live on Zoom and is limited to 8 participants in order to create a personal and nurturing environment.

Upcoming Dates:

Saturday, June 27th 1:00 - 2:30 PM (EDT)

Sunday, September 20th 10:00 - 11:30 AM (EDT)

Sunday, December 27th 1:00 - 2:30 PM (EST)

The suggested donation for this live workshop is $25.*  


Season of Gathering

Now you are ready to start! Do you want to keep going? After your live event, you may choose to continue meeting with other participants from your workshop for 3 additional monthly group gatherings. This seasonal commitment will support you as you continue to cultivate this practice in your own life, all while you enjoy the companionship of other spiritual seekers with whom you can reflect and grow alongside. Gatherings may be 60, 90 or 120 minutes depending on the size of the group. Additional seasons can be added as long as there is interest in continuing together.

The suggested donation for each season of 3 gatherings is $60.*

On-demand workshop + invitation to a follow-up gathering

If you are unable or prefer not to attend a live virtual workshop on Zoom alongside other participants, you can still enjoy this workshop in a pre-recorded on-demand format. This format includes an optional Zoom follow-up session so that you can still have the chance to share with and receive from other Marker Meditation Practitioners.

The suggested donation for this live workshop including a drop-in gathering is $15.*  ​

Ongoing group gatherings

Participants of both the live and pre-recorded workshop are invited to attend as many or as few ongoing gatherings as you find to be helpful for your continued practice.  These casual gatherings meet on Zoom and are offered at various times throughout the month, including at least one weekday, one weeknight and one weekend morning.

Participants will be given the opportunity to share from their own personal practice, or simply be present. We will hold non-judgement space for each other, practice deep listening and if welcomed by the person sharing, respond with thoughtful reflection and affirmation.

​Occasionally I will offer themed gatherings where you can be exposed to or delve deeper into topics such as the Enneagram, Spiral Dynamics, Chakras, Religious Symbolism, Archetypes, Tarot, Mythology, Shadow Work, The 4 Elements, Seasons & Cardinal Directions and more! 


Follow me on Instagram (link) or join my mailing list (link) to stay updated on these offerings.

Registration is not required but is appreciated. (upcoming dates & registration link)

The suggested donation for each drop-in gathering is $15.* ​

NOTAFLOF

​*Donations support my ability to make a living wage doing this work that I love, but No One will ever be Turned Away For Lack Of Funds. If the suggested donation is burdensome for you there is no shame in giving less than that amount, and no shame if your circumstances don't permit you to give anything at all. If you are able to comfortably give more, any amount above the suggested donation will be allocated to an Access Fund that enables me to provide individual Spiritual Doula Sessions to those who cannot afford my full fee. ​

Picture
Picture
Picture

​Here's a mini-episode from my podcast, Everyday Thin Places,
where I answer a listener's question about this practice 




Copyright 2026 Mama Bird Birth Services & Elizabeth Varaso .  All Rights Reserved.