THE TALKING STICK Mens Retreat
SPRING - RETURN OF THE LIGHT
DATE
Friday 10th March 6pm — Sunday 12th March 6pm
WHERE
Happy River Retreat, Wareham, Dorset.
After a beautiful year of transformative retreats in 2022 I'm excited to announce the first TALKING STICK retreat of 2023. I invite you to join me around the fire for the first retreat of the year to honour and celebrate the return of the light.
As we are slowly emerging out of the darkness of winter and into the abundant energy of the spring equinox, I invite you to come and be part of this awakening to restore our balance and internal energies of light. We will be connecting with this powerful season to manifest and blossom into our own powerful expression. This is about letting go of the restraints of winter and stepping out of the shadows to ignite our spark within. This will be a powerful container of healing, purification and taking action for our dreams. This will be an awakening journey of self discovery held in a safe and authentic container of brotherhood.
The Talking Stick is a healing space for men. A place for men to connect, be part of community and be seen and heard with compassion. It provides a space for men to explore different healing modalities, communicate with integrity and to receive healing through being held and holding space for others. We will not be looking to fix each other or ourselves, as no man is broken but we will be looking to ignite shifts and build greater awareness and understanding of who we are and what our role is in this world as men.
This will be a safe and compassionate container so we can feel comfortable being our authentic selves and speaking our truth; We will use the power of the talking stick to express and release what might be causing us internal discomfort and pain and give it to the flames of transmutation. Being seen, witnessed and heard in a safe place by other men is healing, transformative and deeply empowering and I believe is the key to us achieving a deeper sense of connection, purpose and feeling harmony within, so we can be the best version of ourselves. This is about reclaiming our ancient ways of community. It is about remembering the importance of healing together. This is the missing link for men in our culture and it is time to bring it back. We were never meant to do this alone. I will be there to hold space, support and guide you through the journey as we return to our collective light.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Throughout the weekend we will be grounding into the beautiful land and the elements together here in Dorset at Happy River Retreat to celebrate the beginning of spring equinox. We will be reconnected to ourselves, eachother, nature, spirit and elements throughout the weekend through various activities and ceremonies. We will use the power of the talking stick to open up, release and express what is rising and hold space for each other throughout the process. We will work with the fire to represent the masculine energy and support us in transmuting the winter debris and restoring fresh energy and motivation. There will be a mixture of practical exercises, inward journeys and spiritual practices to bring healing, growth, empowerment and a deeper sense of awareness. We will be exploring practices such as shamanic principles, transformational breathwork, sound healing & meditation, cacao, cold water therapy and process work to help us receive insight, growth and development.
As part of the weekend we have two amazing practitioners joining us. Mike Raven is a mens work facilitator who is part of the Charity - JourneyMan UK. JourneyMan UK supports young men being consciously initiated through contemporary rites of passage to enable boys and men to discover their unique potential and apply their gifts in service to themselves, each other and their community at large. Mike will be sharing his teachings and workshops throughout the weekend. We also have local breathwork facilitator Ellie Taylor bringing her warm feminine energy into the masculine space to hold a transformational breathwork session.
I will be holding space throughout the retreat weaving sound, meditation and ceremonies to support your journey. We will adventure to a sacred site on the Jurassic coast called Durdle Door for a wild hike and swim to connect to our tribal essence and honour the land. We will be getting uncomfortable, physically, emotionally and mentally to enhance strength, resilience and empowerment. Ultimately we will be connecting to our masculinity and choosing to heal in brotherhood. I will also be providing nourishing high vibe plant based meals to nourish and ground us all throughout the weekend. We will be exploring some deep inner work but expect to have a good time, laugh and connect with each other in the process, healing does not have to be serious all the time. We will be camping on the beautiful grounds nestled in Wareham Forest in Dorset.
We will connect to our true nature
We will be our authentic selves
We will honour who we are and each other
We will listen with our hearts
We will surrender
We will grow together
We will pass the stick
We will talk our truest tone
We will keep the fire burning
Most of all will be part of something way bigger than ourselves
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR
Men who feel lonely or are seeking connection
Men who feel a lack of purpose and inspiration
Men who are ready to rise into their authentic self
Men who are ready for transformation and growth
Men who are seeking a deeper connection to self, others and oneness
Men who are seeking a conscious masculine community
Men who are seeking a spiritual connection
Men who are seeking healing and feel lost and lonely
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Talking Stick Sharing Circles
Sound Healing Journey
Guided Process Work & Activities - By Mike Raven
Guided Transformational Breathwork - By Ellie Loves
Wild Hike & Swim at Durdle Door
Wood Fired Forest Sauna
Cold Water Therapy
Cacao Ceremony
Fire Ceremonies
Guided Meditations
Nourishing Plant Based Meals - Provided by myself
Camping (You are required to bring your own tent and camping equipment)
TESTimoNiAL
“CHRIS HOLDS SPACE VERY BEAUTIFULLY. THE WHOLE RETREAT WAS PUT TOGETHER WITH SUCH CARE AND INTENTION, AND WE FLOWED THROUGH THE RETREAT WITH EASE AND CALM. IT WAS A JOY TO BE NOURISHED WITH HIS MEALS AND THE CREATIVITY OF HIS HEALING SESSIONS. I’M SO GLAD TO HAVE GOTTEN TO TAKE PART AND TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER WITH SUCH A GREAT GROUP OF CONSCIOUS GUYS. REALLY TRANSFORMATIVE!”
Ollie — October Retreat 2022
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
Camping Equipment - Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Mat
Warm Cloths & Jacket
Waterproofs (Incase of rain)
Walking / Hiking Boots
Swimming Trunks
Towel
Drinking Flasks
Yoga mat, blanket and pillow (for sound healing)
Drum (Don’t worry if you don’t have one as I will bring extra instruments)
An offering to the land - Money, candles, flowers, fruit or oats, vegetables, tobacco (I will explain what this is for when we are there)
Notepad and a pen
If The Talking Stick is calling you, I look forward to you joining me around the fire. Let’s rise up into our infinite light together. I look forward to going on this journey with you. Please reach out if you have any questions.
This is an intimate retreat space to make sure all men have their needs met and strong bonds can be forged.
ONLY 10 SPACES AVAILABLE
PLEASE SEND PAYMENT BY FRIENDS & FAMILY SETTING IN PAYPAL
PRICE
£500.00
Payment Plan Option
£200.00 Deposit
£300.00 Final Payment March 1st 2023
Please note, the final payment must be paid on or before 1st March.
Deposit is non-refundable.