Inner Work for Outer Change...

How can we integrate a spiritual response to the ecological, social and political crises we are facing? At this time of great uncertainty in the world - in which we are seeing the impacts of climate emergency and war - we need to find the strength to put compassion into action.

We welcome you to join us on this 5-day learning journey on the land of a Buddhist retreat centre, just 30-minute south of Charleroi in Belgium, to explore what compassion means in relationship to yourself, to others and to the natural world.

Together we will learn and deepen practices of engaged mindfulness and compassion, and explore the Work That Reconnects (inspired by Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone). The intention is do the necessary inner work which can build our capacity to make a positive difference in today’s world.

We will explore how to manage strong emotions, how to engage with wisdom and how to stay connected to joy in challenging times. We will bring this inner work together with our outer environment, deepening our connection with Mother Earth, with each other, and also sensing into what wants to emerge in the larger system.

Building Community Together… 

We believe it takes a community to practice well: to learn together and grow our 'muscles' of compassion, resilience and creative power. We have been offering regular Spiritual Ecology events and gatherings for many years. This is the fourth year we run this retreat at this inspiring location. You are welcome to join us again if you came previously, or come for the first time - we will be offering many new, different practices to build and deepen knowledge and practice.

Our Inspirations… 

The retreat draws on many different inspirations and resources, including:

• The Heart is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out and Interconnected: Embracing Life in Our Global Society by His Holiness Karmapa.
• Coming Back to Life by Joanna Macy and Molly Brown
• Active Hope: How to Face this Mess We're In Without Going Crazy by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
• Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

This retreat is organised by Spiritual Ecology Netherlands and is supported by St. Ethelburgas. Below you can find further information about the program, the practical details and the retreat facilitators.

The Program

Consists of daily movement and meditative practices & explorations, talks/input by the trainers, mindful dialogue, and sharing sessions in smaller circles to deepen our learning. There is also space for solo and social time. We will practice with periods of silence to listen in a different way to what wants to unfold in you and us as a system together.

Practical Details…

We will start on Wednesday June 26th at 12:00pm and will finish after lunch on Sunday June 30th 2024.

We're offering this retreat on a sliding scale:

• €550 support fee (enabling us to offer student/low income fee, includes 21% VAT)
• €450 standard fee (includes 21% VAT)
• €200 student / low income fee,-.(no VAT)
• All of the above prices does NOT include the cost of lodging (accommodation and meals), which will need to be booked separately - as outlined below.
• There are a few sponsored bursary spaces available - kindly indicate below if you would like to apply for a spot. 
  

To join us, please register via the registration form ASAP.

We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds, identities and genders.. We’ll do an intake beforehand by telephone or Zoom to get to know one another if you are new. If you have any questions, get in touch with Annick anevejan@xs4all.nl 

Kindly book and pay for your accommodation (4 nights in total, additional night optional) separately with Samye Ling retreat centre directly here. Samyé Ling Beaumont, Belgium. Email : info@kagyusamyeling.bewww.kagyusamyeling.

• Own tent (4 nights), including 3 meals per day: €128,- (extra night(s) €32 per night)
• Equipped tent (4 nights), including 3 meals per day: €152,- (extra night(s) €38 per night)
• Dormitory (4 nights), including 3 meals per day: €152,- (extra night(s) €38 per night)
• Ecolodge individual room - limited spots (4 nights), including 3 meals per day: €200,- (extra night(s) €50 per night)

About the trainers

Annick Nevejan & Flo Scialom

Check in the menu 'About us' as a team to find out more about our background