Reconnecting to the Real | A Transformational Retreat

<p dir="ltr">Join John Vervaeke, Guy Sengstock, and Kyle Koch as they invite you to a transformative retreat designed to help you reconnect to the real—deepening your connection to yourself, others, and the world around you. They explore the philosophical, spiritual, and psychological concepts behind the retreat and how these ideas will be integrated into the activities. Guy introduces his 'circling approach,' Kyle shares his nature-centered practices, and John elaborates on the importance of dialogical practices for cultivating wisdom and meaning. The retreat will take place from March 17th to 22nd, 2025 at Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center in North Carolina and aims to help participants deepen their connections with themselves, others, and the natural world. Lastly, the trio touches on the broader cultural implications of meaning in the age of advancing artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of shared, meaningful practices.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://circlinginstitute.com/reconnecting-real-retreat/">Reconnecting to the Real Retreat</a> - Spaces are limited to just 20 participants to ensure a deeply immersive, participatory experience where genuine connection and transformation can take place.</p> <p dir="ltr">This retreat is a fully participatory experience, where John, Guy, and Kyle will guide you through immersive practices while engaging in them alongside you. Each day follows a carefully designed flow:</p> <p dir="ltr">Morning Movement: Led by John or Sara, starting the day with embodied practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">Morning Sessions (9 AM - 12 PM): John will lead transformative practices, including meditation, contemplation, and deep philosophical inquiry.</p> <p dir="ltr">Afternoon Nature Connection (2 PM - 4 PM): Kyle and Guy will guide participants through core routines of nature connection, helping to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world.</p> <p dir="ltr">Evening Practices: John and Guy will lead Circling and Dialogical practices, fostering deep listening, relational intelligence, and transformative conversation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Throughout the retreat, you will learn and practice:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Wisdom & Awareness Practices</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Dialectic into Dialogos</p> <p dir="ltr">Philosophical Fellowship</p> <p dir="ltr">Socratic Search Space</p> <p dir="ltr">Meditation & Contemplation</p> <p dir="ltr">Yoga</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">The Circling Method & Relational Practices</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Group Circling Exercises</p> <p dir="ltr">1-on-1 Circling Sessions</p> <p dir="ltr">Deep Listening & Communication Skills</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr"> Core Routines of Nature Connection</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Sit Spot (Attuning to nature through stillness)</p> <p dir="ltr">Storytelling (Sharing and integrating experiences)</p> <p dir="ltr">Animal Forms (Embodied movement inspired by nature)</p> <p dir="ltr">Mapping (Developing a spatial awareness of the land)</p> <p dir="ltr">Bird Language (Understanding ecological intelligence through avian behavior)</p> <p dir="ltr">This retreat is an opportunity to engage deeply with practices that cultivate self-awareness, relational depth, and a profound connection to nature. </p> <p dir="ltr">Location: <a href="https://www.mmecoretreat.com/">Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, North Carolina (ashville)</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Cozy cabins and shared spaces with mountain views</p> <p dir="ltr">Organic and locally sourced meals</p> <p dir="ltr">Access to nature trails, meditation spaces, and quiet areas</p> <p dir="ltr">Pricing: Private Suite: $4800</p> <p dir="ltr">Private Lodge: $4500</p> <p dir="ltr">Shared Room: $4300</p> <p dir="ltr">Dorm Room: $4,000</p> <p dir="ltr">*Includes food</p> <p dir="ltr">Notes: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(0:00) Welcome! Today's special topic is 'Reconnecting to the Real'</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(1:00) Guy's Introduction - The Power of Circling</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(3:00) Kyle's Introduction - Embodied Practice & Nature Connection</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(4:00) Retreat Details</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(7:00) John's Contribution - Dialogical & Imaginal Practices</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(9:00) Socratic Search Space - Exploring Virtue Through Dialogue</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(12:00) The Meaning Crisis & The Need for Embodied Wisdom</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(14:00) Guy's Circling Approach</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(16:00) Relational Presence & Deep Listening</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(21:00) The  Existential Crisis of What it Means to be a Human Being</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(27:00) The Call to Practice Connection Now</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(37:30)  "Knowledge is knowing how to solve the problem and wisdom is knowing what problems to solve."</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(40:00) "Theology would become the discipline for the future." </p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(41:00) The Shared Nature of Meaning</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(51:00) The Impact of Virtual Connection and Lose Connection</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">(57:00) Rediscovering a Connection with Nature</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">--- </p> <p dir="ltr">Connect with a community dedicated to self-discovery and purpose, and gain deeper insights by joining our <a href="https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke">Patreon</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://vervaekefoundation.org/">The Vervaeke Foundation</a> is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join <a href="https://awakentomeaning.com/">Awaken to Meaning</a> to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">John Vervaeke: <a href="https://johnvervaeke.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke">Patreon</a></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Guy Sengstock, the founder of the Circling method, is a renowned facilitator and innovator in the field of authentic communication and personal development. His method blends philosophical rigor with a deep understanding of relational dynamics, offering transformative experiences that foster genuine connection and self-awareness.</p> <p dir="ltr">Learn more about Guy Sengstock and his methods at his <a href="https://guysengstock.wordpress.com/">website</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Kyle Koch is a movement expert and facilitator of nature-based embodiment practices, Kyle has been working with Evolve Move Play for over a decade, helping people reconnect with their bodies, the land, and the deeper rhythms of existence. He integrates physical play, ancestral movement, and relational presence into his work. </p> <p dir="ltr">Learn more about Kyle Koch at his <a href="https://evolvemoveplay.com/about-us">website</a></p> <p> </p>