There is only one life you can call your own and a thousand others you can call by any name you want.
- David Whyte
COMING HOME TO YOUR WILD SELF
A soulful and nourishing space to gather,
To deepen our connection with nature,
To ground ourselves during these collective shifts
and to ask,
What are these times calling forth from me?
This retreat is an invitation to step out of the busyness and distractions of modern day life into a deeper relationship with yourself and with the natural world.
Dates: 5th May 4pm - 8th May 1pm 2022
Location: Dartmoor, Devon
Cost: small budget place - £300, balanced budget place - £375, and for those who can afford to support small budget participants - £450
ABOUT THIS RETREAT
Over the last years I have had the huge pleasure to offer Women’s Retreats in the UK and much to my surprise, received emails from men requesting I offer something in that includes them.
So this Spring we have this! Offered and co-guided by myself and Hamish Mackay-Lewis
Hamish and I first planted a seed of co-guding together when we met at a creative sustainability lab-type thing in Slovenia four years ago. Four long winters later and that seed has finally sprouted!
Hamish and I share much that is sympatico despite he and I coming from different wilderness traditions. We both have a passion for practices that respect the wisdom of the body and cultivate a way of being present that allows for a deeper listening within, and that elusive 'reciprocity' that David Abram shares about in his books, Becoming Animal and The Spell of the Sensuous.
It's the gateway to a deeper sense of belonging to the family of things and interdependence, I believe.
Here's a great quote from Abram:
“Such reciprocity is the very structure of perception. We experience the sensuous world only by rendering ourselves vulnerable to that world. Sensory perception is this ongoing interweavement: the terrain enters into us only to the extent that we allow ourselves to be taken up within that terrain.”
THE STRUCTURE OF OUR DAYS
Each morning will include mindful and embodiment practices followed by beautiful and connecting practices informed by Gendlin’s focusing method.
The afternoons will include nature-based practices and a sharing circle called Way of Council.
We will make space for digesting and resting each day so that you have time to allow the experience to land.
We have gorgeous wild swimming spots on our doorstep and our evenings will be spent gathering around a roaring fire under the stars.
WHY COME ON A RETREAT IN NATURE?
Spending time in nature immersed in awe-inspiring landscapes re-humanises us. Nature supports rest, opening up to a bigger perspective, and reconnects us with what matters most.
At its core, our work is about relatedness - how we relate to ourselves, and each other with nature as our partner. It's about exploring both our inner nature and outer nature, and developing ways to accept, be with, and learn from each experience that life sends our way.
We heartily welcome a cross cultural and cross generational, cross racial and sexual orientation community to gather.
LOCATION AND LOGISTICS
We will be located in a secluded and private spot on the edge of Dartmoor. Surrounded by ancient oak forest and moorland we will also have access to cascading rivers, wild flower meadows and boulder strewn bluebell groves. The air that comes off the Atlantic here is so pure that rare mosses and lichens thrive and it is one of the few dark sky areas left in the UK. You will not be disappointed!
Our group size is limited to 8 participants to ensure an intimate experience.
Accommodation will be camping for the majority so we encourage you to bring your own tents. For those few people willing to pay the higher price to support others there is the option of three beds in the cosy and beautiful converted barn, which we may also use for group sharing in case of inclement weather.
To keep the costs down and to build a sense of community we ask participants to pair up and bring ingredients to prepare one vegetarian meal during the retreat. We will enjoy a hearty brunch (provided by Natasha and Hamish) and an early supper every day (provided by you) with access to snacks (bring your own) in between times. All food will be vegetarian and we can only accommodate food restrictions for severe medical conditions.
50% deposit is required on booking to secure your place.
GUIDES
Natasha Lythgoe and Hamish Mackay-Lewis.
