An immersive weekend to meet Gaia through
nature connection and sacred ceremony
From Saturday 17th to Sunday 18th of April 2021
At Huayi Farm Resort, located around 1,5 hour from Shanghai (near Dianshan Lake).
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEEKEND?
Dive into yourself and the natural world through indigenous wisdom and nature-based ceremony. During the weekend you will experience different practices and learn to design your own nature-based ceremony. We will offer you a powerful format to help you create meaningful ceremonies for transition, healing and/or celebration.
「Ceremony is the intentful construction of the bridge which spans the barriers that we』ve created between our soul and our mundane life. Through the creation of ceremony, we allow the free movement of our soul into the mundane and of our consciousness in the realm of soul. It’s a two-way bridge.」 Steven Farmer, PhD
During our weekend you will learn the phases and elements of ceremonies (finding intention and meaning, creating sacred space, opening a ceremony, centre elements of a ceremony, closing and more) and the ritualistic elements you can use to build and hold space for yourself.
This weekend is designed for those who would like to take a break from the high fast pace of the city, nurture themselves by spending time in nature, connect to the sacredness of the Earth and experience the healing power of being in communion with nature through their spirituality. You do not need to have prior experience in nature-based spirituality or ceremony design to join our weekend. If you are curious and open-minded, come learn and discover with us!
WHY DESIGN CEREMONY?
When we pay tribute to important life events through ceremony, it reminds us of how intimately connected we are with nature, and helps us be at peace with the inevitable changes that life brings. Often, all it takes is a simple ceremony performed with intention and sincerity to appreciate the awesome wonder of being alive. - Steven Farmer, PhD
You will be guided throughout this retreat by Maria Souza, Social Ecologist & Educator who holds a postgraduate degree in Ecology and Spirituality by Trinity Saint David and Schumacher College. Complete bio on the bottom of the article. During this weekend no substances will be offered. We are going to spend time with nature, participate in its beauty, work with intentions and sacred spaces.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THIS WEEKEND?
SATURDAY
8:45 am : Meeting in Shanghai (Jingan area)
9:00am - 10:00am: Travel by van to Huayi Farm Resort
10:30am - 11:30am: Check-in and light welcome snack
11:30am - 12:30am: Opening circle, altar creation and introductions
During this circle we will get to know each other and collectively build our sacred space. During this circle you will learn about the directions and altar elements.
Resort's deck where we will be having our meals
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Vegetarian Lunch on the deck near the lake
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Gaia Place experience
This is an intuitive walk where participants are invited to meet and explore the land offered by the resort and find a special space, within and without, a place for individual reflection, contemplation and vigil.
4:30pm - 6:30pm: Indigenous Traditions & Introduction to Sacred Ceremony
This will be a short presentation and conversation about how indigenous cosmologies are centered in their spirituality and why sacred ceremony is a crucial way of communicating with the larger web of life and creation. We will discuss why enacting sacred ceremony is so vital and we'll start working on our intention.
"No matter the stated purpose, sacred ceremony inevitably helps heal the fundamental spiritual wound—the illusion of separateness from the Creation. By our participation, we’re reassured that we’re not autonomous from that which sustains us materially and spiritually, and reminded of our place within the vast and intricate network of life." - Steven Farmer, PhD
7:30pm – 10:00pm: Dinner & Fire Gathering
Let’s continue weaving a sacred space and a conversation around ceremony while sharing food, songs, music and prayers around a bonfire! To create a sacred space we must experience one.
10:00pm - 11:00pm: Gaia Place experience
Experience nature during the night. Participants will be invited to navigate in the dark and return to their Gaia Place to reflect on their intentions and intuitively imagine the overall structure of their ceremony. This experience works to dismantle fears, work with your intuition and observe the treasures of nature at night.
SUNDAY
8:30am - 9:30am: Breakfast
9:30 am - 11:00am: Elements and Symbolic Language
Our Sunday morning will be focused on understanding ritual and symbolic language. What language does nature understand? What are the movements and actions we can do to deepen our connection with the natural world? We will look at the 5 elements (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) and their qualities and how we can bring them in the centre part of our ceremony. During this time together we will also look at the offerings one can do and the multitude of symbolic elements one can bring.
11:00am - 12:30pm - Crafting Offerings
You will be invited to go into nature looking for crafting materials, allowing them to emerge organically and listening to your intuition to guide your way. Crafting is a grounding skill that reveals our deep connection with the Earth and serves as a way to deepen our ceremonies for healing, transition and/or celebration. This practice reminds us that the world is animated. All that is asked from us is to trust our intuitive mind. You can read more about Crafting Sacred Objects here.
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Vegetarian Lunch on the deck near the lake
2:00pm – 3:00pm: Enacting Your Sacred Ceremony
Now is the time to return to your Gaia Place and enact the nature-based ceremony you designed for yourself. This is a personal and meaningful time where each person will enter their own sacred space. Know that when you create ceremony with your heart open, your faith in place, and with clear intention, you’re honoring and actively participating in the web of life.
3:00pm to 4:30pm: Closing Circle
Last sharing circle around sacred ceremony and our eweekend experiences and insights.
Light healthy snack will be offered.
4:30pm - 5:30pm: Check out from Huayi Farm Resort
5:30pm - 7:00: Travel by van back to Shanghai
Resort's main lake
YOUR FOOD
Meals will all be organic, vegetarian and healthy. Please let us know of your dietary requirements.
YOUR STAY
4 stars Huayi Farm Resort, located around 1,5 hour from Shanghai (near Dianshan Lake). Each participant will have a single room with double bed, private bathroom and a nice forest facing view.
Resort's single bedroom where participants will be staying
(one person per room)
Pictures of the land at the resort
YOUR FACILITATOR
Maria Souza
Maria Souza is a Social Ecologist and Educator. Maria holds a Masters in Ecology and Spirituality from Schumacher College and Trinity Saint David, UK and a Postgraduate degree in Indigenous Subjects from Schumacher College. Originally from Brazil, she has worked for 7 years in the Brazilian Amazon with the indigenous peoples and Conservation Units. Maria is the founder of Gaia Learning, a Shanghai based organization focused on self-connection and environmental change.
FULL RETREAT FEE: 2.174 RMB
Due to space and the nature of our experience
only 12 spaces are available.
FEE INCLUDES:
• Daily resort accommodation at Huayi Farm Resort (single room with double bed, private bathroom and a nice forest facing view).
• Daily healthy vegetarian meals and snacks
• All activities mentioned in the schedule
• Roundtrip transportation from/to Shanghai
• All the materials needed for the activities
COMPLETE REGISTRATION HERE (Yoopay)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Once registration is completed, you will receive via email a welcome letter with detailed materials and what to bring. Please look for an email from gaialearning@outlook.com.
Contact us if you have trouble receiving your email.
Feel free to share this programme with friends to make it even more special.
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