Reconnecting to the Real | A Transformational Retreat
Dr. John Vervaeke
Reconnecting Through Nature and Relationships
This chapter explores the importance of genuine human connection in an era of rising loneliness, delving into practices that enhance interpersonal communication and intimacy. It highlights the significance of connecting with nature and engaging in place-based cultural practices to foster deeper relationships with both the natural world and each other. The speakers emphasize the need to cultivate awareness and value-based connections as a response to the challenges posed by technology and societal changes.
Join John Vervaeke, Guy Sengstock, and Kyle Koch as they invite you to a transformative retreat designed to help you reconnect to the real—deepening your connection to yourself, others, and the world around you. They explore the philosophical, spiritual, and psychological concepts behind the retreat and how these ideas will be integrated into the activities. Guy introduces his 'circling approach,' Kyle shares his nature-centered practices, and John elaborates on the importance of dialogical practices for cultivating wisdom and meaning. The retreat will take place from March 17th to 22nd, 2025 at Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat Center in North Carolina and aims to help participants deepen their connections with themselves, others, and the natural world. Lastly, the trio touches on the broader cultural implications of meaning in the age of advancing artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of shared, meaningful practices.
Reconnecting to the Real Retreat - Spaces are limited to just 20 participants to ensure a deeply immersive, participatory experience where genuine connection and transformation can take place.
This retreat is a fully participatory experience, where John, Guy, and Kyle will guide you through immersive practices while engaging in them alongside you. Each day follows a carefully designed flow:
Morning Movement: Led by John or Sara, starting the day with embodied practice.
Morning Sessions (9 AM - 12 PM): John will lead transformative practices, including meditation, contemplation, and deep philosophical inquiry.
Afternoon Nature Connection (2 PM - 4 PM): Kyle and Guy will guide participants through core routines of nature connection, helping to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural world.
Evening Practices: John and Guy will lead Circling and Dialogical practices, fostering deep listening, relational intelligence, and transformative conversation.
Throughout the retreat, you will learn and practice:
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Wisdom & Awareness Practices
Dialectic into Dialogos
Philosophical Fellowship
Socratic Search Space
Meditation & Contemplation
Yoga
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The Circling Method & Relational Practices
Group Circling Exercises
1-on-1 Circling Sessions
Deep Listening & Communication Skills
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Core Routines of Nature Connection
Sit Spot (Attuning to nature through stillness)
Storytelling (Sharing and integrating experiences)
Animal Forms (Embodied movement inspired by nature)
Mapping (Developing a spatial awareness of the land)
Bird Language (Understanding ecological intelligence through avian behavior)
This retreat is an opportunity to engage deeply with practices that cultivate self-awareness, relational depth, and a profound connection to nature.
Location: Mount Mitchell Eco Retreat, North Carolina (ashville)
Cozy cabins and shared spaces with mountain views
Organic and locally sourced meals
Access to nature trails, meditation spaces, and quiet areas
Pricing: Private Suite: $4800
Private Lodge: $4500
Shared Room: $4300
Dorm Room: $4,000
*Includes food
Notes:
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(0:00) Welcome! Today’s special topic is ‘Reconnecting to the Real’
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(1:00) Guy’s Introduction - The Power of Circling
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(3:00) Kyle’s Introduction - Embodied Practice & Nature Connection
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(4:00) Retreat Details
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(7:00) John’s Contribution - Dialogical & Imaginal Practices
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(9:00) Socratic Search Space - Exploring Virtue Through Dialogue
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(12:00) The Meaning Crisis & The Need for Embodied Wisdom
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(14:00) Guy's Circling Approach
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(16:00) Relational Presence & Deep Listening
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(21:00) The Existential Crisis of What it Means to be a Human Being
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(27:00) The Call to Practice Connection Now
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(37:30) ”Knowledge is knowing how to solve the problem and wisdom is knowing what problems to solve.”
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(40:00) “Theology would become the discipline for the future.”
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(41:00) The Shared Nature of Meaning
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(51:00) The Impact of Virtual Connection and Lose Connection
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(57:00) Rediscovering a Connection with Nature
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Guy Sengstock, the founder of the Circling method, is a renowned facilitator and innovator in the field of authentic communication and personal development. His method blends philosophical rigor with a deep understanding of relational dynamics, offering transformative experiences that foster genuine connection and self-awareness.
Learn more about Guy Sengstock and his methods at his website
Kyle Koch is a movement expert and facilitator of nature-based embodiment practices, Kyle has been working with Evolve Move Play for over a decade, helping people reconnect with their bodies, the land, and the deeper rhythms of existence. He integrates physical play, ancestral movement, and relational presence into his work.
Learn more about Kyle Koch at his website
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