A profound and powerful reconnection retreat, taking place in a sensational location on the northern coast of Scotland. This retreat introduces core presencing, awareness, connection and resilience practices, supported by a 24 to 36-hour Nature Quest. Making room for micro-adventures, sea swims, walks, fires, good meals and nourishing conversations, this is a deeply restorative and supportive getaway to help us grow our work and spirit in the world.
The Journey
The journey begins as far as a train can take you, to the wild coast of Scotland, where we will start a hike to a remote wilderness base. From here, we embark on a journey combining practices, an individual quest into the wild, mini-adventures and work to integrate the benefits of experience back into life and work.
The process places emphasis on core principles: the principle of relaxation; the principle of presence; and principles to support connection with the flow of life.
The Nature Quest itself involves finding a spot on the wild moors or on the coast, marking a circle between nine and eighteen metres in diameter and stepping into that circle to let everyday life fall away and a whole different quality of perception to emerge.
On your Nature Quest you take as little as possible with you. A tent is optional, as is food, but we certainly leave all books, devices and other forms of distraction behind. It’s difficult to explain how special and helpful this space can be. It is like a deep ‘reset’ button for the heart and mind.
After the ‘solo’, we come back as a group to share stories from the experience, and to explore how to take the magic from the experience back into life and work. At a time when people feel so disconnected from nature, this part of the process is more and more important.
We host this journey with great care, dedication and joy. Time and time again people tell us that it has helped them make profound and long-lasting changes in their lives.
The Place
Our wilderness base is a two hour hike from Mallaig, on the North Western coast of Scotland. It is a place at the foot of wild fells, looking out to the ocean with no-one else there for miles around.
Programme
This is about carving a different quality of space and time.
Some of what we will cover:
– Tools and practices dedicated to relaxation, awareness and connection, supported by nature
– Moving exercises and meditations to support stillness, flow and awareness (inspired by T’ai Chi and Qi Gong (pronounced Chee Gong)
– A personal ‘Nature Quest’ in an extraordinary private place on the island, supported to do so with extra care at this time of year
– Space for personal practice, writing, drawing and more
– Fireside conversations dedicated to stillness and connection to everyday life
– Plenty of down time and time to be in a personal solo spot on the island
– A later call to keep insights and lessons alive back at home
Guide
Andres Roberts
Andres Roberts is a guide dedicated to a new kind of progress, fit for a positive future for all. His work combines renewed ideas about learning and change, reconnection to Nature, and the wisdom of ancient cultures to help more positive, and more systemic, change happen. Building on twenty years of experience in learning and leadership, Andres has studied with respected elders from across the world, helping to make ancient wisdom and Nature-based practices more accessible in the modern world. Andres is founding partner of The Bio-Leadership Project.
Costs
The price for the full retreat including all activities, practices, accommodation and food while on the island is £645, with a £545 Early Bird price until the end of December.
We also offer three bursary spots for people who are working to care for nature and who wouldn’t normally have space or opportunity to do this. The bursary rate is £295. Please get in touch to find out more about those bursary spots at connect@bio-leadership.org
Bio-Leadership Fellows are offered a reduced 20% off off rate.
Booking
To book your place on this programme please complete this registration form following payment instructions here.
Please take some time to read our terms and conditions before registering.
For more information you can contact connect@bio-leadership.org
Equipment and Camping
We ask that you bring your own camping equipment for this programme. Please check our packing list to ensure you have everything you need.
Travel Information
The meeting point for this programme is Mallaig railway station on the morning of the 25th May. You may need to arrive in Mallaig or nearby on the 24th May to make the meeting time and point.
We will send more travel information upon registration to the programme.