More Information Booking Please contact us to check if there is a place available for you. If we offer you a place, you will then need to send us a deposit to confirm that you want it.
Fully Residential events These happen either at our home in Devon, or at one of various retreat centres. We always provide a good range of mostly organic vegetarian food. Please do let us know in good time if you have any food intolerances or allergies. Cooking and clearing is done by the group in small teams. Please come expecting to do your share. Sometimes we run summer retreats on Dartmoor, camping and using the facilities at a village hall; this will be made clear in the publicity.
Non-Residential events Bring food to share for lunch. We usually have the use of a kitchen area, and sometimes a cooker. Tea, etc. will be provided.
What to Wear We suggest comfortable clothing that you can move easily in. Layers are good as we will alternate between periods of sitting and periods of activity.
What to Bring We do a fair amount of sitting, mainly on the floor (though you're welcome to use a chair if you prefer). We usually have a few cushions, backrests, etc. But if you have a favourite meditation stool, cushion or backrest, please bring it.
Booking on Ongoing Groups and Retreats All our Ongoing Groups and Retreats (except This is It) are aimed at people with a fair bit of experience in this work. We don't usually take anyone at this level unless we have already established a ground of trust. It's not to do with what kind of person you are, how much other kinds of work you have done, or what kind of experience you have. It's simply a realistic allowance for the depth that can open, and for the many potentially challenging situations that can arise on these longer events. We (ie you and us) all need to be clear that what we are offering is indeed what you want, and that you feel willing and able to be guided by us.
Initially we take applications from everybody who’s interested, and who has enough experience. If possible, 4 months beforehand we consider the applications and offer places to those who (in our opinion) will best be served by the group at this time. (Sometimes there just isn’t enough time; then we consider each application as it’s made). If we have more applicants than places, this will mean saying ‘no’ to some. Otherwise, we’ll continue to take applications as they are made, right up to the time of the retreat.
Payment We receive money for our work in two different ways. Firstly we charge a fixed payment to cover costs. Then we ask for a donation in exchange for our teaching and guidance. Fixed Payment. This will usually be payable up front (ideally as a deposit) and is non-negotiable. Essentially, this is what it costs us for you to be there. Assuming an average of 10 people on each group, this covers venue charges, food, admin, website, publicity, travel, and a fair proportion of our costs at Droridge (a percentage of telephone / heating / electricity / etc). This is averaged out over a year, and works out at:- £35 per person per day for residential groups £40 per person per day if the group is residential at Brimpts farm £15 per person per day for non-residential groups outside London £30 per person per day for non-residential groups in London
Donation. In addition to the fixed payment, at the end of each event we ask for a donation to Fanny and I as an exchange for what has been received. For each event there is a suggested donation, as well as a clear minimum amount and a suggestion for a more generous & abundant offering that would effectively support others to do our work. The amounts for open workshops will be less than for residentials; and we ask for more if both of us are teaching. It’s a risk on our part, an act of trust, and is really coming from the heart! It asks a little more of each participant – to really feel into and reflect on what the experience has meant to you and then to offer appropriately according to your financial reality. (So, for one person, £20 might be all you can afford this time; for another, £200 might barely be missed). This can be in cash if you wish, or we can do cheques, receipts, etc. We’ll just put a basket out and you leave an envelope with your donation in it. It's also fine if you want to spread the donation out over several months.
Here’s what we suggest:- Open workshop with one of us: Suggested Donation £40 per day (minimum £20 per day / generous £80 per day) Residential workshop/retreat with one of us: Suggested Donation £50 per day (minimum £30 per day / generous £100 per day) Residential workshop/retreat with both of us: Suggested Donation £60 per day (minimum £40 per day / generous £120 per day)
Cancellations: For our major groups and retreats, once paid, the fixed amount will usually be non-refundable unless we can get someone else to fill the place, in which case we will refund it or transfer it to another group, less a £10 admin charge. For our open workshops, in the event of cancellation up to two weeks beforehand, we will refund the fixed amount / deposit or transfer it to another group, less a £10 admin charge. For cancellations during the last two weeks before the workshop, it will be the same as for our major groups and retreats. For single and couple sessions, we will charge the fixed amount for cancellations in the last 48 hours before the session. Cancellations earlier than that are no problem
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