Our retreats are an immersion into the source of your power and the structure of the image you present to the world. All of this occurs in a sacred space created for the purpose of your transformation, facilitated by:

• Shashona and the ancient wisdom of her ancestors; and
• Andrew and the profound healing insights of the Enneagram.

Beginning the journey
A river flows from its source. Those beginnings set the river on a path that, no matter what twists and turns it takes, is always connected to and influenced by its beginnings. Your life is no different. Your beginnings play the critical role in the strategies you chose to face the world with and who you have become.

In order to move to somewhere other than where you are, it pays to make peace with what you have created. If you don't, chances are you'll recreate whatever it is you are pushing away from. You wouldn't be where you are if you hadn't created the circumstances to get you there – so it pays to understand what it is that you (consciously or unconsciously) thought you might gain from those circumstances.

And more than that, by understanding why you are where you are and why you do what you do, you'll discover the power and ability to genuinely work towards where you actually want to be. Peace with where you are and compassion for yourself and your journey are the gifts of those realisations.

Embrace the space, do the work, experience the healing
Your experienced healers will create a sacred space for you to do the work and then they will lead you through it. You'll apply ancient teachings, review your story through challenging lenses,  and complete a range of energetic and metaphoric exercises to move you from where you are to where you'd rather be. The result, though different for everyone, will be healing and a turning towards your magnificent true self.

Your part of the weekend is to turn up, be open to change, and surrender to the realisations your sacred self is longing for you to remember. If you want a short cut, bring an ample dose of courage and vulnerability. The wise always do and the space we create will make this easier and enriching, well beyond your expectations.

What will you experience?
You'll experience a traditional sacred pipe ceremony, sing and drum around the sacred fire, and begin the journey to inner healing. You'll be swept along in group meditations of forgiveness and release. You'll laugh with others as you see (perhaps for the first time) the predictable nature of how you do life. You'll also realise (with relief) that your patterns are shared with many others. Those patterns (also known as the ego or the personality) are not you but merely a structured bunch of strategies you use to keep yourself safe.

Self-realisation brings release and renewal. Compassion and peace with yourself will follow. You'll share this journey with fellow travellers you are yet to meet but will get to know well. This retreat is about sharing your story, your energy, and your truths.

What will you leave with?
At the end of Retreat One – Journey to Self you'll be lighter, have new insights into the life you’ve created, have made new friends, and be ready to make some real changes that serve you and all of life. You’ll also be ready for Retreat Two – Relationships and You, finding the life you want and lifting the consciousness of humanity for the good of Mother Earth.

Andrew Hughes

For more information, visit Hunter Valley Retreat and Conference Centre.