Soul Origami

This is the time of year to turn the attention inward, to slow down and reconnect to yourself and life... a time to watch yourself unfold and return home to yourself. 

Welcome to Soul Origami. Retreat from the busy pace of your daily life, unfold some creases and open up to new possibilities.

Come on a journey of direct experiencing, sensing and being – witnessing the mystery of existence reveal itself. 

In this retreat individual and group processes will be alternated with periods of individual reflection, and quiet contemplation. There will be optional space for creative exploration, drawing and body movement. 

Through the Dyad enquiry practice, we will become present to what arises in each moment, getting insights into our inner world, remembering what it means to be alive. 

What are Dyads? Dyads are a powerful meditation technique in pairs. In contrast to silent meditation methods practised alone, this one is practised face-to-face.  Increase your ability to stay present and in the moment as you go deeper into each inquiry.  Using Dyads we learn to trust ourselves and to speak from that place of inner awareness. Creating a space for just being who you are, as you are, as a human being, accompanied by another.

This is not a self-improvement workshop, in which certain aspects of ourselves would be perceived as needing change, fixing, healing. The participants will be continuously encouraged to experience and embrace the Whole, rather than move from an „imperfect” state to a „better” one.

LISTEN WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING. SPEAK FROM YOUR DEEPEST AUTHENTICITY.

The Chinese philosopher Chuang-Tzu stated that true empathy requires listening with the whole being. ‘The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty, to the ear or to the mind. Hence it demands the emptiness of all the faculties. And when the faculties are empty, then the whole being listens. There is then a direct grasp of what is right there before you that can never be heard with the ear or understood with the mind.”

We are both very excited and passionate about co-creating this retreat in which we as a community witness and support each other to come home to ourselves, to life, and embody our deepest authenticity. 

VENUE 

Our retreat takes place in the Ardennes, close to the French border, at La Ferme du Bois-le-Comte in the south-east of Belgium. Central in Europe, it can be reached in 1 hour by car from Luxembourg, 2 hours from Brussels and less than 5 hours by train from London, Paris or Amsterdam.

La Ferme du Bois-le-Comte offers peace, space, warmth, and lots of pure, unspoilt nature: fresh and unpolluted air, clear spring water, fragrant wood fire, marvellous star-spangled skies and ... heavenly silence. Natural sounds, natural light, natural smells, natural materials, natural flavours: a treat for your senses and your soul.

Situated on 10 hectares of land, with organic permaculture gardens and a partially protected nature reserve, there are many beautiful quiet corners to reflect, meditate and take in the scenery. The retreat program takes place in the beautiful hall. We will be gathering in the large dining room for tea and fresh, local, seasonal organic meals. 

There is a fireplace, piano and lots of natural light, with a nice view of the valley and green hills.

The 19th-century farmhouse has been ecologically renovated and extended with warm, natural materials.  You will find the bedrooms are simple, but comfortable. 

COSTS

We charge a separate accommodation and a retreat fee. The retreat fee is €325 and covers materials, rental of the communal space and facilitation.

Should you require an invoice for your accommodation, please inform us of this beforehand. Please note that there is an additional charge of €15 for an invoice.

Accommodation and meals per person: - in a three to four-bedded room:  € 195 - in a twin / double room: € 240 - in a single room: € 285

PRACTICAL NOTES

Spaces are limited and booking is essential.

We will start at 18:00 on the 21st of October. We will end with lunch at 13:00 on the 24th of October. All meals will be organic and vegetarian. Let us know if you have special dietary requirements.

Please note that we will not be using phones or wifi throughout the duration of the retreat. (Emergency contact is possible during the day). 

FACILITATORS

Sarah Dekker is a certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) trainer and facilitator offering training and retreats internationally. She is passionate about integrating NVC with embodied spirituality and draws on the work of Robert Gonzales and Robert Krzisnik. Her workshops offer ways to cultivate daily practices for living life fully and authentically, deeply grounded in compassion for one’s self and others. Sarah’s interest in individual and collective trauma healing has had her exploring Internal Family Systems therapy, Dyad meditation practice, Mondo Zen, gender reconciliation training, Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Systems, and other modalities.

Sarah is known for creating safe spaces for self-exploration and healing. She has an authentic, clear and friendly presentation style. Her humor, warmth and pleasant calm approach in her sharing of NVC and Dyad meditation supports participants to really slow down and ease into self-connection and awareness.

Nicholas Burnand lives in Belgium, where he is a certified Nonviolent Communication trainer and trauma therapist. His journey has taken him to remote places, spending hundreds of days in retreats, ceremonies, and workshops around the world. He is focused on creating safe spaces which foster transformation and awakening. Along with Nonviolent Communication, Qi gong and meditation he has found the Dyad method to be a deeply transformative practice. Through it he has discovered that empathy and authentic self-expression are a path to freedom from suffering – as the Buddha did 25 centuries before him.