Embodied Listening®

Cultivating the Wisdom of the Body

Embodied Listening® offers a way to move through blockages, challenges and uncertainty by tuning into your most reliable source for guidance — the wisdom of your body.

In this time of challenge and upheaval, learning to be present to your body’s inherent knowing is an essential skill.

During this retreat, we will draw on three contemplative practices that cultivate insight, compassion, and confidence:

• Mindfulness Meditation to relax mental holding patterns
• Alexander Technique to release physical holding patterns
• Focusing to access deeper feelings held in the body

This highly experiential workshop is held within a safe and supportive environment and includes periods of meditation, exploration of the felt sense alone and with partners, guided instruction on alignment, a lying down practice called constructive rest, sharing and humour.

Rather than trying to figure things out, we learn to spend time with the way our bodies hold our experience in any given moment called the “felt sense”. The felt sense is an inner bodily sensation that holds meaning for our lives. It is always operating, but we usually don’t notice it. By listening to these mysterious yet palpable expressions of our lived experience, we gain insight into what’s needed to resolve a conflict, make a decision or transform our stuck places. We discover the wisdom in the holding pattern.

Who May Attend

Everyone is welcome to attend this retreat. Meditation instruction and individual posture adjustments will provided.

The weekend is ideal for anyone who wants to know themselves better and learn a simple and radically different way to approach what troubles them.

Overview of Schedule (Atlantic Time)

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Friday, October 2  (Arrival Day)

• Check-in is open from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please try to arrive before 5pm to settle in before dinner if you are able to.
• Dinner is at 6:30.
• There will be an orientation session at 7:45 after dinner.

Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4

• 7 am: Optional (Outdoor Contemplative Practice)
• 8 am: Breakfast
• 9:15 am: Morning session
• 12:30 pm: Lunch
• 2 pm: Early afternoon Session
• 4 pm: Tea
• 4:30 pm: Late afternoon session
• 6:30 pm: Dinner
• 7:45 pm: Evening Session
• 9 pm: End of day

Monday, October 5

• 7 am: Optional (Outdoor Contemplative Practice)
• 8 am: Breakfast
• 9:15 am: Morning session
• 12:30 pm: Lunch
• 2 pm: Early afternoon Session
• 4:30 pm: Break
• 5 pm: Celebratory Tea Reception

NOTES:

• Each session may include breaks, guided meditation and posture correction.
• Departure after Tea on Oct 5. If you are traveling and wish to stay over on Oct 5, you will have the option to add an additional night’s stay on the registration form.

Testimonials

I learned so much about myself, and began the journey of accepting myself and holding myself in compassion. Now, I can be kinder to those around me, because I can be kind to myself. — Kate Smith

This workshop was a rich, rewarding and powerful blending of 3 practices that all seek to bring awareness and balance to the knowing body. I came away grateful for much that I will carry into both my personal and professional life and I recommend it highly. — Sharon Andrews

Embodied Listening helped me to deepen my sitting practice and move into a more respectful rapport with some deep parts of myself that had been asking for my attention. How obvious and radical it is that contact with the felt sense is profoundly assisted by an aligned structure, support from the earth and a deeply embodied experience. — Alexis Honiotes

I find Hope to be a very skilled teacher with a strong intuitive sense of how to work with each individual. Her Alexander work is deep and subtle, and has been extremely helpful in deeply understanding some of the principles of meditation posture that had eluded me for many years. — Michael Chender

Begin your journey with the Shape of Awake® Retreat

Ahead of this program, Hope is offering a 5-day Shape of Awake® retreat which is a natural complement and preparation to Embodied Listening®. Drawing on the Alexander technique and the same contemplative practices, you will discover how to be fully present and at ease in your body.

Shape of Awake® will take place from Friday, Sept 25 (before supper) to Wednesday, Sept 30 (after lunch). We invite you to take advantage of this special opportunity to deepen your practice and enjoy a longer stay at Dorje Denma Ling. To do so, simply add two nights when registering for Shape Of Awake®:

Shape of Awake® Information & Registration

Participants who enroll in both the Shape of Awake® and Embodied Listening® programs will receive a 15% discount on the tuition portion of both retreats. We will adjust your Guest Statement for you.

Cost

CAD $495 – 885, depending on lodging choice.

Pay in full or place a 30% deposit to hold your spot.

Generosity Policy

We want everyone to be able to attend retreats at Dorje Denma Ling.

Read About Our Generosity Policy

NEW! 30 & under discount and Monastic discount are available during registration.
~When early bird pricing is in effect, the higher discount will take precedence

Other Useful Links

Registration and Cancellation Policy

What to Bring & Transportation