You are invited to this year’s residential retreat at Gardoussel in Southern France, 18-25 June, 2016. This week is a special highlight in our calendar and we are delighted to invite you to come with us.
THE RETREAT
The retreat is an opportunity to take time out of daily life, slow down and to use the group experience to see yourself and your life from a very different perspective. The week is about being present with each other in every moment.
We sit together as a group twice a day, exploring our thoughts and feelings. We share life’s difficulties, insights and achievements. As always the group is about whatever arises. Nothing is forced and it flows naturally through the week. You can be yourself without pretence. You can laugh or cry without feeling embarrassed. With a whole week together the process deepens each day, revealing more and feeling more connected.
The sessions are facilitated by members who have been participating in these groups for over a decade. We hold a safe space, caring for each other while at the same time daring to look into the uncomfortable parts of ourselves in order to shed new light on patterns of behaviour that keep us stuck in our lives.
Apart from the group sessions and meals, we deliberately have no other programme. There is plenty of time to spend as you wish – perhaps resting, meditating, practising yoga, going out walking, relaxing in the sun or by the river, hanging out together or being on your own if you feel like it. Throughout each day we continue our intention to be aware, paying attention to how we speak, interact, wash the dishes, make the bed… and magically our group becomes more intimate.
As in previous years our group will be open to newcomers and long-time sharers of all ages and backgrounds. You need not be familiar with any spiritual philosophies. All that is required is an open heart and an open mind to explore your life in each moment. We have a preference for abstaining from alcohol and recreational drug use during this week.
Take advantage of our early booking discount.
We look forward to creating another amazing, life-transforming and fun week together!
VENUE
Gardoussel Retreat is a simple, family-run retreat. Set in the lush Cévennes mountains of the Languedoc region, Gardoussel (‘guardian of the birds’) is a magical oasis of calm in one of the most beautiful and untouched parts of France. www.gardoussel.com
Accommodation: We will make the room booking for you. There is space to accommodate up to 24 people in shared rooms (twin or more). Some rooms are en-suite, the rest share a bathroom and toilet with one other bedroom. Room allocation on a first come first serve basis.
Food: Breakfast is continental-style. Lunch and dinner consist of delicious, fresh, home-made vegetarian meals inspired by Ayurvedic nutritional principles, adjusted to western foods and culture. Most of the ingredients used are organic and grown in the local area. Snacks (tea, coffee, fruit, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts) are available throughout the day. Most of the meals are suitable for vegans; however Gardoussel can cater for people with other special dietary needs if requested with an early booking. If you follow a specialised diet please bring your own food & supplements.
Group Costs
£200 early bird by April 9, 2016
£250 after April 9, 2016
Food & accommodation costs:
540 € (approx £390) for food & accommodation
Costs for food & accommodation are paid separately cash Euro directly to Gardoussel retreat upon arrival.
TRAVELING
You can travel to Gardoussel by car, train and plane. The easiest way is to fly into Nimes, then share a taxi or travel up by bus (approx 1 hr transfer time). You can also fly into Montpellier (approx 2 hrs transfer time) or Marseilles. Eurostar runs a TGV ‘fast train’ service from London/Lille/Paris to Nîmes, with the journey Paris – Nîmes taking just under 3 hours. You need to arrange your car/plan/train journey yourself but Gardoussel is happy to help us coordinate our transport to/from the airport or train station to/from Gardoussel retreat. Generally, the more of us arrive at the same time at the same airport the cheaper transportation to/from the retreat centre will be. Transfer service is payable cash (Euro).
For those intending to travel from or via London we will be on the following flight:
Ryan Air FR3256, Depart London Luton, Saturday 18th June 2016 06:35, Arrival Nimes 09:30.
Ryan Air FR3257, Depart Nimes, Saturday 25th June 2016 09:55, Arrival London Luton 10:50.
If you are unsure whether this retreat is for you or have any questions please feel free to contact us:
Ryan, UK: +44 7951 515 667, ryan@trueryan.com
Spencer, UK: +44 7954 375 975, free21.3@gmail.com