A Photo Essay
Awaken: one month of preparation, six days together.
This is what the Awaken retreat looks like, before, during, and after. It starts with a connection call and ends with a month of integration.
Participation requires completion of a health screening. This is not medical treatment.
Before
One month of preparation, before you travel.
The connection call
It starts with a call. Someone on our team asks what brought you here and answers what you ask. You can ask about the medicine, the group, the medical side, the cost. If you want to go ahead, the next step is yours.
The connection call
It starts with a call. Someone on our team asks what brought you here and answers what you ask. You can ask about the medicine, the group, the medical side, the cost. If you want to go ahead, the next step is yours.
Application and medical intake
You fill in an application and a medical intake. Be honest, including about the parts that are hard to write. A nurse practitioner reviews every intake. If you take medication, your prescriber leads any change, and tapering often takes one to two months. Do not stop or change anything on your own.
Application and medical intake
You fill in an application and a medical intake. Be honest, including about the parts that are hard to write. A nurse practitioner reviews every intake. If you take medication, your prescriber leads any change, and tapering often takes one to two months. Do not stop or change anything on your own.
Acceptance, deposit and a month of preparation
Once you are accepted and have paid your deposit, you spend a month preparing online, with us. You pay nothing until you are accepted.
Acceptance, deposit and a month of preparation
Once you are accepted and have paid your deposit, you spend a month preparing online, with us. You pay nothing until you are accepted.
Arriving in Sedalia
You fly into Denver International Airport. There is no shuttle. Participants share Ubers from the airport, and we help coordinate. The ride to the retreat center in Sedalia takes about 45 minutes. Lodging and meals are included. Everyone stays together at the center.
Arriving in Sedalia
You fly into Denver International Airport. There is no shuttle. Participants share Ubers from the airport, and we help coordinate. The ride to the retreat center in Sedalia takes about 45 minutes. Lodging and meals are included. Everyone stays together at the center.
The arrival circle
Tuesday is arrival day. The group gathers for the first time. Most people do not know each other yet. Some are nervous and some are relieved. The facilitators begin with one question: why are you here?
The arrival circle
Tuesday is arrival day. The group gathers for the first time. Most people do not know each other yet. Some are nervous and some are relieved. The facilitators begin with one question: why are you here?
During
Three ceremonies in six days, with rest in between.
The days between
Between ceremonies there is morning movement, workshops, time to rest, and integration circles. Most of the retreat is ordinary waking life, with the group around you. Many people find the time between ceremonies matters as much as the ceremonies.
The days between
Between ceremonies there is morning movement, workshops, time to rest, and integration circles. Most of the retreat is ordinary waking life, with the group around you. Many people find the time between ceremonies matters as much as the ceremonies.
The first ceremony
Wednesday. The first ceremony begins at 4pm. Each ceremony runs five to six hours. Facilitators stay in the room the whole time. There is at least one facilitator for every four participants.
The first ceremony
Wednesday. The first ceremony begins at 4pm. Each ceremony runs five to six hours. Facilitators stay in the room the whole time. There is at least one facilitator for every four participants.
The second ceremony
Thursday, the same setting. Every person has their own experience. Some cry, some laugh, some lie very still. Facilitators are there for all of it, and Jo Ann Forristal, a family nurse practitioner, is on site during the retreat.
The second ceremony
Thursday, the same setting. Every person has their own experience. Some cry, some laugh, some lie very still. Facilitators are there for all of it, and Jo Ann Forristal, a family nurse practitioner, is on site during the retreat.
A day without ceremony
Friday has no ceremony. It is a full day of integration and relational workshops. You talk about what came up, and you eat together. Saturday morning brings the third ceremony, which begins at 9am.
A day without ceremony
Friday has no ceremony. It is a full day of integration and relational workshops. You talk about what came up, and you eat together. Saturday morning brings the third ceremony, which begins at 9am.
After
Sunday you go home. One month of integration follows.
Closing and the trip home
Sunday is closing workshops and a closing session, with departures around 2pm. Many people are quiet on the way home. That is fine.
Closing and the trip home
Sunday is closing workshops and a closing session, with departures around 2pm. Many people are quiet on the way home. That is fine.
The first week home
Go easy on yourself. Keep your schedule light if you can. Sleep, eat well, and spend time outside. Your month of integration has started, and you are not doing it alone.
The first week home
Go easy on yourself. Keep your schedule light if you can. Sleep, eat well, and spend time outside. Your month of integration has started, and you are not doing it alone.
Integration online
For one month after the retreat, the group meets virtually. Not every story is neat. Some people are in the middle of hard conversations at home. You bring what you are working on, and the group listens.
Integration online
For one month after the retreat, the group meets virtually. Not every story is neat. Some people are in the middle of hard conversations at home. You bring what you are working on, and the group listens.
If you want more time
The month of integration is included in the price. If you want to keep going, there is an optional two-month extension. It is Awaken at Home, a 12-week program you do online.
If you want more time
The month of integration is included in the price. If you want to keep going, there is an optional two-month extension. It is Awaken at Home, a 12-week program you do online.
Taking it from here
What happens after is up to you. We cannot promise what you will feel or what will change. We can promise a clear process, a nurse practitioner on site, and people who answer when you reach out.
Taking it from here
What happens after is up to you. We cannot promise what you will feel or what will change. We can promise a clear process, a nurse practitioner on site, and people who answer when you reach out.
Ready to begin
The preparation starts before you arrive.
Explore what draws you to this work through your Journey Archetype, or watch the TEDx talk first.