Episode Details

Join John Vervaeke, Guy Sengstock, and Kyle Koch as they invite you to a transformative retreat designed to help you reconnect to the real—deepening your connection to yourself, others, and the world around you. They explore the philosophical, spiritual, and psychological concepts behind the retreat and how these ideas will be integrated into the activities. Guy introduces his 'circling approach,' Kyle shares his nature-centered practices, and John elaborates on the importance of dialogical practices for cultivating wisdom and meaning. The retreat will take place from March 17th to 22nd, 2025 at Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center in North Carolina and aims to help participants deepen their connections with themselves, others, and the natural world. Lastly, the trio touches on the broader cultural implications of meaning in the age of advancing artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of shared, meaningful practices.

Reconnecting to the Real Retreat - Spaces are limited to just 20 participants to ensure a deeply immersive, participatory experience where genuine connection and transformation can take place.

This retreat is a fully participatory experience, where John, Guy, and Kyle will guide you through immersive practices while engaging in them alongside you. Each day follows a carefully designed flow:

Morning Movement: Led by John or Sara, starting the day with embodied practice.

Morning Sessions (9 AM - 12 PM): John will lead transformative practices, including meditation, contemplation, and deep philosophical inquiry.

Afternoon Nature Connection (2 PM - 4 PM): Kyle and Guy will guide participants through core routines of nature connection, helping to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world.

Evening Practices: John and Guy will lead Circling and Dialogical practices, fostering deep listening, relational intelligence, and transformative conversation.

Throughout the retreat, you will learn and practice:

• Wisdom & Awareness Practices

Dialectic into Dialogos

Philosophical Fellowship

Socratic Search Space

Meditation & Contemplation

Yoga

• The Circling Method & Relational Practices

Group Circling Exercises

1-on-1 Circling Sessions

Deep Listening & Communication Skills

• Core Routines of Nature Connection

Sit Spot (Attuning to nature through stillness)

Storytelling (Sharing and integrating experiences)

Animal Forms (Embodied movement inspired by nature)

Mapping (Developing a spatial awareness of the land)

Bird Language (Understanding ecological intelligence through avian behavior)

This retreat is an opportunity to engage deeply with practices that cultivate self-awareness, relational depth, and a profound connection to nature.

Location: Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, North Carolina (ashville)

Cozy cabins and shared spaces with mountain views

Organic and locally sourced meals

Access to nature trails, meditation spaces, and quiet areas

Pricing: Private Suite: $4800

Private Lodge: $4500

Shared Room: $4300

Dorm Room: $4,000

*Includes food

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