Workshops & Retreats
Spiritual Exploration

Title: Awakening Spirit

...a spiritual retreat experience for women

Dates: October 26 – November 9, 2008

Location: Villas D'Agua Resort, Olhos D'Agua, Algarve, Portugal

Retreat Purpose

Awakening Spirit is an opportunity for a small group of women to gather together and awaken to their uniquely individual spiritual essence under the guidance of a life-long seeker. Free of the dogma of both Eastern and Western religion and philosophy, Awakening Spirit is an invitation for exploration and discovery of Self as well as a break from what is habitual and mindless in our lives. Set in a safe, nurturing, beautiful location, each participant will have ample time and space for personal reflection, group discussions, and an educational process that invites development of spiritual individuality, relaxation as well as sightseeing and shopping. Awakening Spirit offers you time and space to explore inwards and to create for yourself a mindful approach to creating purpose and meaning in your life that celebrates your unique individuality rather than demanding that you conform to external definitions or measures of piety, goodness or acceptability. For some this will involve discovering 'spirituality' with an edge; for others it will be relaxing into accepting themselves as they are; and for others it will be discovering and accepting that they are so much more than they've been taught to believe. Each Awakening Spirit participant will have her own goals and objectives for the experience; each will have ample opportunity to achieve the outcomes she has established.

Retreat Timetable

  • A private pre-retreat coaching session with each participant to clarify intention, objectives and expectations
  • Participants are personally met at Faro Airport and guided to Villas D'Agua Resort
  • Welcome Breakfast and Reception, followed by check-in and free day for exploration and relaxing
  • Monday-Friday: daily Self -directed exploration and sightseeing as you settle in and claim your space. Daily Group Open Forum at 4:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday: Self-directed exploration continues. No Open Forum.
  • Monday-Friday: Daily Educational Workshop* from 1-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: Final day of Self Exploration. Closing Reception
  • Sunday: Guided to Airport and return home flight
  • A private post-retreat coaching session 2-3 weeks after the retreat to summarize results, consolidate learnings and establish future pathways.

*Educational Workshops

  • Follow an 'emergent design' process, i.e. WEL-Systems® content is offered based on the topics, issues and challenges raised by participants
  • The purpose of the Education Workshop sessions is to offer new ways of thinking so that you can rapidly and easily move beyond existing limitations
  • 'Inductions', 'Guided Imagery', and 'Light Trance' approaches are also included as a way of discovering aspects of Self or Spirit not readily accessible to the conscious mind

Notes about Venue and Location

  • The Algarve was selected because it is a safe, clean, laid-back destination with moderate costs, stunning beaches, excellent food & facilities, and lots of local colour & history.
  • Villas D'Agua Resort was selected because of the quality of facilities (inc spa, beach access and kitchen), beauty of its grounds & sea views, cleanliness, friendliness, quietness, access to shopping & sightseeing.
  • Your facilitator is familiar with both the resort and countryside and is available to advise you throughout your stay

Registration Deadline: September 15, 2008.