Circle Creation: Healing Through Connection
Explore the art of creating and holding space for people to listen and be heard.
$574 to USD $894 based on accommodation choice (includes all meals!)
Most of us have strong opinions about many things. Whether it’s politics or parenting or cultural issues, how do we engage with others productively and in integrity with our own values on contentious issues? How can we be heard well and listen well?
Gathering together in circles is a powerful tool to support connection and understanding, a simple, ancient social technology that is beautifully suited to an increasingly polarized world. By taking turns to talk within an intentional structure, we reduce reactivity and increase space for self-regulation and empathy. This age-old format can support the exploration of any theme, whatever your community needs; grief and loss, parenting in the age of technology, identities, aging etc. Circle work is based on the understanding that you are the expert in your own experience and needs. Within that framework it is useful to have a guide not a specialist or professional.
What if the person who can bring your community together is YOU? What if you had the tools and self-awareness to create unifying spaces that can heal and increase compassion focused on our shared humanity? In this workshop you will lean into your ability to be both powerful and vulnerable in an intentional circle format and practice guiding others doing the same. This is mental, spiritual and community health support at its most grassroots level.
The range of cost for the workshop including accommodations and amazing vegetarian meals is $574 to $894 based on what accommodations you choose (options include cabins in the grove, single beds in the Milky Way building, canvas tents, platform tents or camping- in order from most expensive to cheapest).
Scholarships are available, just fill out THIS short survey
Event Details
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Before the event
Consider doing the following as a means of preparing for the retreat.
Journal around these prompts:
When have you recently felt most righteous or most activated around something that you felt was unjust? What was the subject matter and why was it so important?
What supports you in calming down after feeling activated?
What can people do to allow you to feel heard? What helps you feel heard and understood?
How well do you feel you listen? What strategies do you currently use to be available as a listener?
Time in nature:
Take silent walks in nature after or before journaling. What comes up? What senses are you engaging? How does your body feel? What else do you notice?
Friday
3-4pm: Arrive & get settled
5-6pm: Optional meet and greet on the lawn
6-7pm: DINNER
7-8:30pm: Welcome circle at the yurt
Saturday
7:15am-8am: Optional meditation and stretch
8-9am: BREAKFAST
9-11:30am: Exploring core circle principles: Agreements and Themes
11:30am-1:00pm: Time to explore the beauty of the natural world around us and practice bringing nature in as an important tool towards increased relationship building and meaning.
1-2pm: LUNCH
2-3pm: Rest and digest self care
3-6pm: Exploring the circle principles part 2: Co-regulation and Structure
6-7pm: DINNER
7pm: Individual time: practicing emotional regulation through self care
Sunday
7:15am-8am: Optional meditation and stretch
8-9am: BREAKFAST
9-10:00am: Sitting in your guide seat, practice circles
10:00am-11am: Break for self regulation
11-12:00pm: Sitting in your guide seat, practice circles
12:00-1pm: Closing circle, reflection and incorporation
1:00pm: LUNCH
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INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP:
We can offer you an as needed scholarship, the max being $300. That is what pays for Kika and I, your facilitators, so is the only amount we can control.
STEPS for Scholarship recipients:
Fill out the short 4 question scholarship form
I will confirm your scholarship amount (based on what you request on the form) and let Breitenbush know
Register for the full amount of the retreat through Breitenbush based on your preferred accommodation
Breitenbush reimburses you your scholarship amount.
We would like as many people to attend this workshop as are interested without having cost be a barrier, so do please reach out and check in with us.
Scholarships available
**Click below to scroll through pictures of the location
