Our Retreat Framework
Flow of a retreat - the essentials
Gatherings are custom-created with the group based on registration information, identities, strengths and needs. The flow of the full day - or multi-day or overnight for deeper experiences once public health allows - generally touch on all of the following areas, each with it's own story for the particular group, and always ending with integration into daily lives. The approach within these areas and a quote from past retreat experiences illuminates each below.
Release
Each gathering begins by gently allow what we carry to come up into the healing needed, and/or drop away.
"I felt SO free to meet my own needs and supported in doing so. This was incredible. Thank you! "
Connect
To just be what we want to see is radical. Gatherings ease pressures to allow new connections in. Our cup is overflowing when we fill each others'.
"I thought that the opening and closing circles and ceremonies were very powerful for creating community."
Restore
Activities to identify each of our wells of joy from which to draw.
"We need practices in new ways of being to find the missing pieces of ourselves we want to bring to our work."
Create
The container created by facilitators - and willingness to try out everything by the group -opens each of us to possibilities.
"[Building for myself] more silent thinking/not talking time during zooms, doing some purposeful bearing witness for colleagues, and MORE dancing "
Commit
A space to tell real truths to ourselves or each other with integrity by the close of a gathering gives us practice in liberation.
"I am really thinking about how to use pods to ensure I have a support system"
Integrate
Depending on the group and what comes up throughout the gathering, this could take many forms from developing a morning ritual for self to grieving and letting go what cannot be brought home.
" I really enjoy the silence walk because it give me time to reflect on me, i started give my scholars silence time during my class to just reflect. They really enjoy and when they return back to class we have more productive day."
Facilitation
Skilled Guides
Facilitators that have experience taking a group through vulnerable and contemplative activities pair up with expertise on how to approach trauma in a collaborative, mindful way. We match facilitators intentionally with the dynamics of each group of participants and they tend to the custom agenda of the weekend with registration information in the plan and adaptation in the moment.
Popular Education
Everyone must be owner of their own healing. We ask participating educators to take an active role in sharing during the gatherings, bringing their strengths to the group. We ask guides to share their particular healing wisdom while working to ensure everyone contributes.
Core Beliefs
- Healing is possible, now. It is within reach. It is hard work. It takes guidance and dedicated time. It looks different at different times.
- All healing is collective. It begins with our relationship to ourselves, nature and land as a foundation, and even in that we are never alone as interconnected beings. As we deepen within, we can then extend outward the vulnerability in places we have explored enough to expose.
- We need tools. These unlearn what harm has taught our minds and bodies, and tune us to our full humanity. Transformative experiences give a glimpse into what we desire next. Retreats are not a magic wand or a short-term fix, they begin to unlock practices that appeal to each of us.
- We need everyone. By prioritizing stories, needs, ways of healing, and facilitation with black, indigenous, and people of color, all are brought along. Wherever on your journey of liberating our world toward joy and justice, you are invited.