Awareness Retreats : the retreat programme

The Retreat Programme

Arrival on the Friday evening for diner followed by orientation

Saturday - Session One - 9.30am – 12.30pm
Breakdown and Seeing
Understanding the Many Faces of EGO

The beginning of any spiritual exploration and understanding is always the true ‘identity’ and nature of the self. This is also where the ego is born. All obstacles to spiritual development, and every barrier to change within individuals and organizations, can be traced to our faithful companion - the ego! This first session focuses on how to recognise the relationship between identity and ego; how to identify the many deep and subtle faces of ego; how to cultivate a true awareness of the self and hear the authentic voice of the I that says “I AM”.

Saturday - Session Two – 4.30pm – 6.45pm
Breaking Up the Old Patterns
Putting Emotions in Their Place

In a world that often seems to run on the fuel of emotion how are we to understand the place of emotion in our life. What is emotion? What's 26/01/08 and feelings and what's the relationship between emotion and ego? Do we manage them, suppress them, express them, or just let them all hang out whenever, with whoever? And what do they do to our self awareness? These are important questions both for ourselves and for those around us at home and at work.

Sunday - Session Three – 9.30am – 12.45pm
Breakthrough to Being
Awakening Awareness of the Laws of Spirit

There are eternal, immutable and invisible spiritual laws which define how our universe works. We each have an innate awareness of these laws but we lose contact with this awareness. These laws cannot be broken, but we attempt to break them. Together, we will identify seven of the core spiritual laws; understand why they are the basis for harmony and well being; what we do in our attempt to break those laws; how to align our actions with these laws so that balance and harmony is maintained in our life.

Sunday - Session Four - 2pm to 4pm
Breakout to Doing
Finding True Purpose

A life without purpose is a life without meaning, and a life without meaning is not living. We are creators of meaning, but only when we live our purpose. Once our consciousness is liberated from ego, and we have developed an awareness of the eternal laws of life, can we then accurately discern both inner and outer purpose. In this final session we will reflect deeply on what we are here to do; see how we can turn our purpose into the ‘red thread’ which connects and aligns every area of our life; and finally, how to invest our purpose with real enthusiasm.

The Style
The approach of this weekend retreat is reflective, introspective and non-confrontational, allowing participants to make their own inner discoveries and realisations at their own pace. Sessions are focused and balanced by mix of reflection, meditation, presentation, interaction and discussion. Meditation and silence are the invisible threads which tie it all together.

We'll Take Time Out in Silence

The value of any retreat is enhanced by time in silence. Periods of silence give us the opportunity to hear our own innate wisdom and restore deep inner peace. Time in silence is also a time to walk, breath and connect to the rhythms of nature.

Following the Retreat

While the retreat is a complete experience in itself, the process of learning and unlearning takes time, sustained intention and regular attention. “What do I do next?” is so often the challenge following such events. Participants will be offered a home study course comprising deeper insights, relevant exercises and simple practices to continue to explore and deepen the realisations and practices of the retreat (free of charge). Nothing is compulsory but everything has value.