The sound of the bell
pulls me inwards
She is me and I am her
I am here, she sings
I am made of minerals and moss,
earth and stardust,
just like you
Let go and let me carry you
Sink down, down, down
Through a blaze of light
Through a dark lake
I am always here
This well is always full
Just follow the bell
and come here
Come home
to yourself
Retreats
Our one-week residential guided retreats (maximum 12 guests), are rooted in:
SANCTUARY
Switching from doing to being feels counter-intuitive for many of us. At N O U S, we consider it a brave, radical act and a vital step towards liberation.
A N O U S retreat means stepping into a sanctuary, where you get the time and space to slow down and to be, in stillness and in nature, away from external distractions. You will have your own private room. We invite our guests to switch off all devices upon arrival.
CO-CREATION
The circle is as strong as the pure intention of who sits in it. We believe in the power of group energy and intentionality. When we leave behind agendas and role performances, and we step into a place of openness and authenticity, that’s when the magic happens.
Every retreat is co-created by the participants and the teachers and healers that guide it. Offerings include guided meditation, breath work, body work, sacred ritual, nature coaching, yoga and much more. N O U S is experimenting as a co-creative collaborative, bringing in different teachers and healers at different times.
RESTORATION
A N O U S retreat is an invitation to shift from solving to dissolving, through individual and collective practices. To let go of limitations and conditioning that do not serve us. To reconnect with ourselves, others and the natural world. To realise that we already hold all the questions and all the answers we need. To restore our wholeness and our inner wisdom.
COMMUNITY
A N O U S residential retreat is to step over a threshold, to plant your feet carefully but firmly on the ground and to start walking, accompanied by others.
Diving into the inner dimension of collective transformation is not a one-week quick intervention or an individual practice. It can only be done through a collective and shared journey, which continues in community, beyond the retreat.
“The way out is in”
– Thich Nhat Hahn
Is a N O U S retreat for me?
We envision our retreats to be accessible to anybody who is striving to make a positive difference and who is dedicated to collective, meaningful transformation. You can be a grassroots activist, artist, wealth holder, teacher, community organiser, therapist, social worker,… As long as you hold a pure intention to deeply transform today’s world, this is a space for you.
The terms “activists” and “changemakers” are the terms we use for lack of better alternatives for now (and we are open to suggestions!). We acknowledge that language is limited and comes with power issues of its own. We invite you to engage with essence over form, and to leave any terms aside which do not resonate with you.
If the meaning and the essence of these pages call out to you, then yes, a N O U S retreat is for you! Our intention is to remove any access barriers for people to join us in retreat, including financial limitations.
We are currently bringing together the people, resources and creative energy to get started. If the invitation calls out to you and you want to receive updates on upcoming retreats, please drop us a line at hello@nous.community.