Upcoming Retreats
From
Middle-Life
to Meaning
A unique journey for women who are searching for meaning as they transition through mid-life changes.
Dates: April 2-7 2024
Location: Anza Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs, California
Many times a woman’s life is spent taking care of others or pursuing a career or both. In mid-life, as children leave home, or careers become stale or routine, women can find themselves feeling as if there is no purpose in their lives. By this time in our lives we have gained a different perspective from when we were young. We now know that there is more to us than the roles we have lived out to this point. We may feel as barren as a desert in the dead of winter. But, a storm is on the horizon and as it approaches, it brings the winds of change with renewing rains. If we can embrace the storm with outstretched arms, we will witness the desert transform into wild blossoms, revealing life that, until now, was hidden.
In this 8-10 person transformational retreat in the Anza Borrego Desert outside of San Diego, CA, we will turn inward to descend into the Soul where fears and doubts can be confronted.
We will use techniques like:
Speaking and listening in Council as a group
Meditation and dreamwork
Listening and observing nature in how she reflects our truest selves to us
Creative expression through music, dance and artwork
Ceremony
You will cross the threshold of middle life to find a path that is fulfilling. You will learn how to free yourself from self-doubt and judgment of others, find your deepest longing and learn how to live your life in a soulful, fruitful way.
The Nature of the Desert
This retreat is located in the Anza Borrego Desert after the winter rains and at the typical time of the desert’s bloom. A place where, in its most barren state, represents how many women feel in the middle passage of their lives and where they may become stuck, if they do not find a way to cross the threshold to a new path.
The initiation into the middle passage often feels like a rainstorm. Crying tears of loss we plod along, wondering which way to turn. Lightning strikes, revealing our fears in our darkest moments and the thunder causes us to shudder. But, as we learn how to weather the storm, even welcoming the deluge of sorrow, we begin to understand that this is our initiation into a new way of being.
Slowly we see the clouds part, revealing rays of new hopes, dreams, meaning and purpose begin to give their light and energy to the desert’s floor. Soon new life begins to grow and blooms appear, bursting color onto a once drab landscape. The journey now is one of joy and beauty as we stride deeper into the world with a new confidence.
Borrego Springs
The town of Borrego Springs is a two-hour drive from the San Diego airport and a three-hour drive from LAX. Each participant will provide their own transportation to the location or can pre-arrange to share a ride.
We will stay in a spacious home with 4 - 5 bedrooms. Some participants will need to share rooms and some may need to share beds as finding accommodations with separate beds for each participant is not possible. The home will have a full kitchen and comfortable spaces for lounging and gathering. There will be a pool, should weather allow swimming.
Food for a Continental breakfast and prepared dinner will be provided and a menu for the dinner choices will be sent out with your preparation package, ahead of time.
