The Imaginal Bordello
of Divine Experience
(aka Mystic Lab)
An embodied writing practice for exploring the great landscapes of the soul.
Why this Lab?
Mystic Lab is an ongoing series of embodied experiments exploring the great landscapes of the soul.
Together we'll explore landscapes such as longing, attention, wonder, beauty, mercy, tenderness, darkness, surrender, and eros.
Each gathering begins with a handful of beautiful voices—mystics, poets, philosophers, and other companions who have walked this landscape before us. Their words become companions rather than lessons, opening a doorway into our own experience.
Through embodiment, meditation, and writing, we'll experiment with ways of becoming more intimate with Mystery—and with ourselves.
Each gathering explores a different landscape—or doorway—into Mystery.
Part writing circle.
Part embodied laboratory.
Part strange and juicy church-sanctuary for those curious to explore the Mystery.
Each gathering includes:
• A gentle opening into one of the great landscapes of the soul
• Beautiful words from mystics, poets, philosophers, and other companions who have walked this landscape before us
• Reflective writing invitations inspired by your own lived experience
• Embodied experiments, guided meditation, and movement to help us enter the landscape through the body
• A second writing practice that lets the landscape continue unfolding on the page
• An invitation to share—or simply listen and witness—in community
• A small field guide of poems, passages, and books for those who wish to continue exploring
Details -
Where & When
When: Thursdays from 1-2:30 Eastern beginning on September 10th.
The last class is on November 19th.
Where: Live on Zoom
Recordings: Available if you can't attend live.
Pricing
Early Bird (through Wednesday, August 26 11:59pm ET)
-
Pay in Full: $600
-
Monthly Plan: 4 × $150
Standard (after August 26)
-
Pay in Full: $708
-
Monthly Plan: 4 × $177
Feel free to reach out to me at amelia@ameliaperkins.com if you'd like to discuss.
About Amelia
I've spent much of my adult life exploring contemplative traditions and different ways of relating to Mystery.
That exploration has taken me through the academic study of religion (including a degree in Religion and the Body and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School), a year living in an Eastern Orthodox monastery in Greece, years of studying and teaching Tantra, ongoing study with a Sufi teacher, and work that has brought me into dialogue across traditions—including collaborations with Buddhist nuns creating interreligious art exhibitions and serving as a liaison to religious leaders at the Parliament of the World's Religions.
Alongside all of that, I've developed a slight obsession with the creative process—what opens it, what blocks it, and how we might invite it rather than force it.
Embodiment, Mystery, and creativity have been some of the great loves of my life. It's a joy to bring them together in Mystic Lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of mystics and writers will we explore?
The exact readings will vary from gathering to gathering, but we'll spend time with voices such as Rumi, Hafiz, Kabir, Simone Weil, Teresa of Ávila, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Mary Oliver, David Whyte, Francis Weller, Martin Buber, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and many others.
I'll gather sweet little excerpts to share tastes of each theme or "doorway" we explore.
Each class includes a field guide with additional poems, passages, and practices for further exploration.
Is this a writing class?
Yes. And it's not only a writing class.
Writing is one of the ways we'll make sense of our own experience and plumb our own depths. I've found that writing is different when it rises out of the body. And there is also freedom to not write, to just keep exploring the various states we'll explore.
Can I get a taste of what it will be like?
Yes! If you want to feel it out, sign up for Tasting the Mystic on Sunday, August 16th. We'll be doing the Mystic Lab process on the topic of Longing. You can sign up for that here.
What if I can't attend every gathering?
Everything will be recorded, so you can always watch later if you miss one. Life is full, and chances are everyone will miss a gathering now and then. You'll still be able to continue the journey.
Do I have to call it "The Imaginal Bordello of Divine Experience"?
Absolutely not. Although that title delights me.
You can call it Mystic Lab. Or any shorthand you like.
If you have a question that isn’t listed here, just reach out—I’d love to hear from you.
If you prefer to work one-on-one
If you would prefer time with me one-on-one, that's also possible.
Just click here.
I look forward to connecting with you in whatever way feels right!
The Love Experiment
Enter your email below to receive a gift that will sweeten
your relationship with yourself, your sweetheart, and the world.