For a list of the upcoming workshops and to place your deposit please scroll to the bottom of the page.
For information on custom retreats and gatherings visit here.
This is also the story of how my soul found me, and it was a wild soul. I wasn't prepared for how wild it was. This soul speaks different languages than I. I am used to thinking in sentences and paragraphs and she speaks in colors and sensations I don't have a name for. Indeed, the greatest challenge of the journey entailed learning how to be receptive to her messages. These promptings were not disembodied channelings; they were grounded in my flesh.
- Anne Hillman, from The Dancing Animal Woman: A Celebration of Life
The seeds of these retreats were planted long ago when...
... I was a child and my wild soul guided much of my life. It inspired my play, my creation and my friendships. As I grew up I slowly and surely cloaked my soul in all sorts of civilized clothing,” as most of us do. In later years my wild soul came up in me now and again, but it had no place or support and its tenderness shrunk from the world. Eventually I chose the should” life, anxious to put behind me the dangers of living with my tender soul exposed. But after ten years of this, despite my best efforts to keep everything in order, my suffocating soul cried out. This cry blew apart the well-arranged circumstances of my life and my marriage. At 32 I found myself staying at a friend's house, sleeping on her couch--no money, no real plan. Picking through the wreckage, only one thing was clear: I was going to create a life that nourished my wild soul and honored my tender heart.Once I named that and committed to it, the path lit up. Artist and writer Rod MacIver wrote:
Life confronts us with (at least) two doors. One is the apparently easy choice: to go with the flow, to pursue our desires, to seek security and comfort. The other offers risk and uncertainty; it is the inner search for our truth, for the beauty unique to each of us and for the courage to offer that beauty to the world. Turning our back on our gift is turning our back on life. It's easy to have interests but whatever you give your heart to will challenge your being on the most profound levels.
I give myself to this work-- a work that is about guiding people back to the themselves and connecting with others in an authentic way. Every one of these weekends is a miracle to me. It my greatest joy to see people recognize their own essence, their beauty, and to see the beauty in others. As facilitator I hold a loving, nonjudgemental space so we can all let down our gaurds and express our truth. I act as witness, not as teacher. Through these retreats I feel like I am doing what I was put on this planet to do.
To nurture a soulful, creative life that is of benefit to others we need to reconnect tenderly with our wild soul. We need to create a loving, open, nonjudgmental space for our tender parts to gain footing and courage. We need to create a clear path for the flow of Spirit through our lives.
This weekend workshop is for men and women who:
- Want to remember who they were before they got so good at doing what everyone expected.
- Want to feel what it's like to be truly seen and heard.
- Want to get in touch with playfulness, truthfulness, tenderness.
- Are ready to live a more full and soulful life.
- Want to spend time with open-hearted, kindred souls.
Requirements are few:
- The desire to rest the mind and allow the soul to speak
- The willingness to share in writing privately to yourself or with others. (No one will be forced to share with the group. Silent participants who choose to witness quietly are just as essential as those who will share all!)
- An ability or desire to relax into our unfolding
- A respect for Love, Soul and Spirit
- A commitment to honesty and growth
- A love of beauty and nature
- Reflection and Expression (written and oral)
- Movement, Stretching, Energy Flow
- Story Telling
- Affirmation
- Declaration
- Gratitude
- Creation
- Sharing
- Ritual
- Quiet
I would be honored if you would join me for a weekend of rest, healing, support and inspiration.
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To read more about retreat leader Annie O'Shaughnessy visit here.
To download a.PDF of some sample retreat materials and schedules visit here.
To read participant feedback visit here.
Costs and Retreat Details
Three-day Retreats: All the scheduled retreats are 3-day retreats. Please look carefully at beginning and end times. Although people have arrived late and left early, it is most beneficial to commit to the whole three-days.
Custom Retreats: I am available to lead custom retreats for families, friends, co-workers, church or community members. Please check the locations of my scheduled workshops to see if I am coming near you. I can lengthen my stay in order to speak, lead ceremonies, or lead your group. Working with you. I will design a retreat that matches your vision. Contact me at annie@soulflares.org for more information.
Retreat Centers: I put a huge amount of effort in finding retreat centers that have the right "feel," are located amidst quiet, natural beauty, and provide beautiful food and comfortable accommodations for people of all ages and physical ability. A link to the website of each center will be found on each retreat page below.
Costs: Our goal at Soul Flares is to provide these experiences to everyone regardless of income. We are currently working on getting some grants to fund scholarships. But until then we depend on a few individuals to give more so those with less can come. Costs range from $250 - $475 depending on the retreat center and how far I have to travel. See individual scheduled retreats below for details.
Please contact me with any questions at annie@soulflares.org.
To learn more about each retreat or place a deposit please click on one of the dates below.
