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Description
“To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe — to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it — is a wonder beyond words.” – Joanna Macy
- In a world filled with immense shifts and challenges, where do we find the strength to navigate it all?
- What would it be like if we could see the reflection of our face in the leaf of a great tree, the song of a bird, or the faces of those gathered with us in sacred circle?
- What if the grief or anger or fear we may feel about the condition of the world or what’s happening in our own lives was not a risk to avoid, but a doorway to step through — one that could lead us into a deeper belonging to this Earth and greater clarity about what is truly ours to bring – as we live through this precious and precarious moment on this planet?
Join us for this winter weekend of deep nature and community connection, immersed in the beautiful sanctuary of Temenos, to experience group rituals and transformative practices, some solo meditation and writing, as well as an opportunity to comfortably sing and move within a loving container. This unique programme has been woven together by two experienced facilitators, Rachael Duffy and Joanna Tomkins, who co-create a retreat of this kind only once a year.
What can you expect during the Retreat?
Imagine meandering pathways, flourishing gardens and sacred spaces. Within the magical and beloved Temenos gardens are cottages, ponds, a labyrinth and many secret places to pause, reflect and feel yourself as part of nature.
The weekend’s programme has been carefully curated by Joanna and Rachael to take us on a journey of coming home to our true selves and our primary place of belonging – in nature, as nature.
The programme follows the Spiral of the Work that Reconnects (more information at the end of this document) and will include:
Nature Immersion | Guided processes in nature and quiet time in the beautiful gardens
Ritual | Steeped in a number of spiritual traditions we will take part in community rituals designed to connect us deeply to ourselves, each other and to the Earth
Mindfulness Practices | Guided meditations and times of silence
Connection | Opportunities and processes that connect you deeply to your heart, and to the hearts of others
Embodiment Practices | Movement that supports us to stay present to what arises within us
Song | Joanna and Rachael will weave in community singing so as to tune into the healing power of song in bringing us together
Time and Space for Stillness | Moments to be alone in contemplation, or journalling, or just taking in the beautiful tranquil gardens
What will you leave with?
- A deeper connection to both yourself and the world around you.
- An enhanced felt-sense of your belonging in the interconnected web of life.
- Tools for transforming pain into love and resilience, fostering a sense of community with others who share the same commitment to positive change.
- Increased inner strength and resilience to face the ecological and social challenges of our time, not by avoiding despair, but by allowing yourself to feel it deeply, transforming it into compassionate action and enduring hope.
- A renewed sense of purpose, and increased clarity and aliveness on how to contribute your unique soul gifts in service of the healing of this world and ‘the Great Turning’.
About Temenos Retreat Centre:
Nestled in the heart of the tranquil village of McGregor, Temenos Retreat Centre is a hidden gem, a place where the noise of the world fades away, and the peace of nature fills every corner. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself.
The private cottages and rooms are spread throughout the gardens, and there is a chapel, a meditation ‘well’, and the beloved ‘Blue Room’, Temore, with its famous stained glass windows, that invite you to turn within. Within the gardens sits an extensive Library of health, healing and spiritual books for you to choose from. We will dine in a private dining room next door to Temenos’ Tebaldi Restaurant.
During the weekend we will find ourselves in many of the sacred spaces at Temenos as well as its expansive natural sanctuary. Held within the walls live some beautifully curated gardens, gently wilder forest glens, and the display of peacocks and wild birds. Here, many seekers have sat with their enquiries in meditation and received guidance on their spiritual paths.
Optional Boesmanskloof Walk:
On Monday morning we will be leading a walk to Boesmanskloof, so please stay on an extra night if you can. This stunning hike along the Boesmanskloof Trail winds its way through the Riviersonderend Mountains via steep gorges, beautiful waterfalls and rock pools that are great for swimming (if you cherish cold water!). En route, we will come across a great diversity of plant species including fynbos protea and Erica species. Animals found in the area include the duiker, grey rhebuck, klipspringer, baboon, dassie and spotted genet. Birdlife includes the black and booted eagle, Cape sugarbird, malachite sunbird, and many others. Physically the trail requires a reasonable degree of fitness.
Timings:
We gather Friday afternoon for a light meal at 6 pm. The workshop starts Friday 7 pm and continues into the Saturday evening, and will end around 4.30 pm on Sunday. There is an optional guided walk to Boesmanskloof on Monday 4 August, for all those who would like to join, at an additional cost of R500. Accommodation for Sunday evening can be arranged with Temenos, or with other accommodation providers in the village. The walk will begin at 9am and be complete by 2pm latest.
To book or enquire please email hello@soulnature.co.za
Dates: August 1 – 3 2025
Location: Temenos Retreat Centre – McGregor
Fees and Discounts:
1- Standard Price
R5,250 – Shared accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R5,900 - Single accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R5,900 - Single accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R3,250 – Non-residential option meals included - Note: We have some useful contacts for your private accommodation bookings.
2- Bring a Friend - 10% off - hereunder the price for each of you (cumulative with June early bird):
R 4,725 (R4490 with June early bird) – Shared accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R 5,310 (R5,045 with early bird) - Single accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R 2,925 (R2,780 with early bird) – Non-residential option, meals included
3- Early Bird: 5% off only until 30TH JUNE - individual prices below:
R 4,990 – Shared accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R 5,600 - Single accommodation, meals, and all activities included
R 3,090 – Non-residential option, meals included
What’s Included:
- Fully equipped cottage for two nights (if residential)
- Wholesome delicious breakfasts and dinners
- Tea/coffee and all retreat activities.
- Optional 45-min private online session with Rachael or Joanna (pre- or post-retreat)
FACILITATORS:
Rachael Duffy is a Purpose Guide™, Mother, Rewilding Coach, Social Enterprise Specialist and Work that Reconnects Facilitator.
Rachael supports people to live conscious Soul-aligned lives, connected deeply to their own authentic truth, and to the natural world they are part of. She is passionate about the potential in moving from our current paradigm of separation and fear to an emerging paradigm of unity and wholeness. From a systems perspective Rachael is a proponent of alternative economic models, and was involved in building the social enterprise movement around the globe for over 15 years. In 2020, when she felt the calling to offer a deeper level of nature-based group and individual growth work, she trained with Rev Tass Two Crows Flying in Shamanic studies and became a facilitator of the Work that Reconnects. In 2021, she also trained as a Purpose Guide with the Purpose Guides Institute where she currently acts as a mentor. Rachael is Founder of SoulNature soulnature.co.za
Joanna Tomkins is a facilitator of the Work that Reconnects and student of deep ecology and transformation.
She is invested in the belief that a shift in human values and actions is possible if we respond to the calling of the Great Turning and empower our collective ‘heart-mind’. She inspires us to embody our ecological selves so that we can ignite the change for all our relations. She founded Gaia Speaking in 2020, as a registered South African ‘community of practice’ of the Work that Reconnects, to co-facilitate Spiral events and produce a monthly newsletter to guide others on their practice or training.
She also makes ceramic art she calls Artwork that Reconnects, and has been guiding groups on wilderness tours through Southern Africa for 20 years. Mother of two brought up in the ‘Deep South’ village of Scarborough, where she is an active community member.
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For more extensive information on Gaia Speaking and the Work that Reconnects, please visit the website: https://gaiaspeaking.com/wtr-south-africa/ or http://www.workthatreconnects.org
