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Secret Island Quest

Secret Island Quest

Secret Island Quest

Scotland, 11- 15th Nov 2020

This programme – our core experience – takes place in an extraordinary location  – a secret island in Scotland.

Secret Island Quest is a core Way of Nature programme, including an introduction to essential Way of Nature practices and a 24-hour Nature Quest looking out to the ocean. Through the journey we also make room for island adventures, sea swims, big fires and relaxing under big skies.

The Journey

The journey begins on the west coast of Scotland, where we will transfer to the island by boat to be the only human visitors. Over the days, we embark on a journey combining Way of Nature practices, an individual quest into the wild, mini-adventures around the island and work to integrate the benefits of experience back into life and work.

The process places emphasis on core Way of Nature principles: the principle of relaxation; the principle of presence; and principles to support connection with the flow of life.

The Nature Quest itself involves finding a spot on the island, marking a circle between nine and eighteen metres in diameter and stepping into that circle to let everyday life fall away and a whole different quality of perception to emerge.

On your Nature Quest you take as little as possible with you. A tent is optional, as is food, but we certainly leave all books, devices and other forms of distraction behind. It’s difficult to explain how special and helpful this space can be. It is like a deep ‘reset’ button for the heart and mind.

After the ‘solo’, we come back as a group to share stories from the experience, and to explore how to take the magic from the experience back into life and work. At a time when people feel so disconnected from nature, this part of the process is more and more important.

We host this journey with great care, dedication and joy. Time and time again people tell us that it has helped them make profound and long-lasting changes in their lives.

The Place

The Secret Island sits four kilometres off the mainland of Scotland. It is a mere two kilometres long by a kilometre wide, shaped by rugged cliffs and rock pools on one side and white sand beaches on the other. With no roads, jetty or pier on the island, we will be the only people there – landed on a beach by the family who has spent the last forty years there.

On the island sits a single house, kept company by a ruined fourteenth century chapel, a host of wild animals and the Brounie – the spirit that watches over the place. The island is truly magical and an unheard-of rarity in this packed and packaged modern world.

We are very happy and honoured to be able to use this place, and in this way help the family’s intention to preserve the island as a nature reserve programme.

Programme

This is about carving a different quality of space and time.

Some of what we will cover:

– Tools and practices dedicated to relaxation, awareness and connection, supported by nature
– Moving exercises and meditations to support stillness, flow and awareness (inspired by T’ai Chi and Qi Gong (pronounced Chee Gong)
– A personal ‘Nature Quest’ in an extraordinary private place on the island, supported to do so with extra care at this time of year
– Space for personal practice, writing, drawing and more
– Fire-side conversations dedicated to stillness and connection to everyday life
– Plenty of down time and time to be in a personal solo spot on the island
– A later call to keep insights and lessons alive back at home

Guide

Andres Roberts is a guide dedicated to a new kind of progress, fit for a positive future for all. His work combines renewed ideas about learning and change, reconnection to Nature, and the wisdom of ancient cultures to help more positive, and more systemic, change happen. Building on twenty years of experience in learning and leadership, Andres has studied with respected elders from across the world, helping to make ancient wisdom and Nature-based practices more accessible in the modern world. Andres is co-founder of Way of Nature UK and founding partner of The Bio-Leadership Project.

Costs

The price for the full retreat including all activities, practices, accommodation and food while on the island is £645 with a £545 Early Bird price before 31st December 2019 and a SUPER early bird rate of £475 before 31st October 2019.  We also offer two bursary spots for people who are working to care for nature and who wouldn’t normally have space or opportunity to do this. The bursary rate is £295. Please get in touch to find out more.

All participants are welcomed on this programme as guests of the island, and fees contribute in part to protecting and restoring nature.

Booking

To book your place on this programme please complete this registration form, following payment instructions at the end.

For more information please email [email protected].

Equipment and Camping

We ask that you bring your own camping equipment for this programme. Please check our packing list to ensure you have everything you need.

Travel Information11- 15th Nov 2020

The meeting point for this programme is on the West Coast of  Scotland, three hours drive from Glasgow. We will be looking to depart for the island on the morning of the 11th November, so please be prepared to travel early from Glasgow to the coast. This may mean arranging accommodation in Glasgow on the 10th of November. We will depart the island to return to Glasgow by 3pm on the 15th November.

We will send more travel information on registration to the programme.

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