Taking Refuge: The Ritual of Retreat as Sanctuary for the Soul – Begins March 2023
Taking Refuge
The Ritual of Retreat as Sanctuary for the Soul
March 2023 – January 2024 w/ Ben Vincent
It has been a joy, calling and honor to lead yoga retreats for more than 15 years. Retreat is a sacred space from which to see ourselves and life clearly. A time to re-commune with the timeless. Retreat is a ritual of honoring our inner call: to slow down, find rest, reflect upon, reconnect with and recommit to what is most important in life. For many years, I’ve had a slowly gestating vision for a year long program of quarterly retreats set around the solstices and equinoxes. Like a seed buried deep in the snow, while the vision seemed dormant, slow and meaningful changes were unfolding. Leading retreats during the pandemic and upheaval of our world over the last 3 years has been rite of passage and preparation for this program. We’ve explored challenging and relevant topics to find healing, meaningful connection and dharmic response amidst troubled times. Our retreats have evolved organically to integrate many essential elements or “primary satisfactions” that have sustained the human spirit and culture over the ages:
- Spiritual practice + study, rooted in Yoga ~ integrating many traditions
- Time in solitude, community + nature
- Creative expression (music, poetry, art, etc.)
- Sacred ritual for healing and awakening
- Myths and stories
- Shared meals, conversations, laughter and tears
Upon returning from fall retreat and immersion in October, the seed of vision sprouted during a morning meditation practice. I was transported back to the Oratory (pictured at the top) at the Episcopal House of Prayer where my yoga journey began (this time around) 25 years ago. Immediately, there was a flash of inner knowing: this is the place and now is the time.
I was reminded of Krishna’s teaching in the Bhagavad Gita (4.7):
When Dharma falters and chaos rises up, then I manifest and give forth of mySelf.
What is taking refuge?
Taking refuge is a vow to a life of dharma – living in alignment with our true nature – through all the phases of life. It is a ritual of returning to sanctuary, to what truly nourishes us, especially during troubled times. We are living through a period unprecedented change and challenge in our lifetimes. From the natural world to human culture, the layers of life are being overwhelmed by overlapping crises. Old wounds and ways of being that cause suffering are surfacing, individually and collectively. This is not the first time humanity has gone through a collective dark night of the soul. Many ancient cultures and spiritual traditions understood that periods darkness are an essential part of the cycles of worldly life (samsara). When faced consciously, they can be an initiatory rite of passage in the life of the soul, the awakening the world and the re-creation of dharma. In this painful, yet necessary time of dis-integration, lies the hidden potential for healing, meaningful transformation and life coming forth a new – if each of us do our part. The wisdom traditions of ancient India (yogic/ buddhist/ tantric) venerate Three Jewels for taking refuge amidst samsara:
- Teacher (inner and outer)
- Teachings + Practice (dharma)
- Sacred community (sangha)
Each of these plays an essential role in sustaining us. When interwoven, they form the fabric of our spiritual lives: supporting our healing journeys, helping us return to our essential nature, and bringing forth our unique dharma for the healing and awakening of ourselves and the world. Taking Refuge will be rooted in:
- Cultivating deep connection thru teachings/ practice, teacher (inner) and sacred community.
- Practices + tools from Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda for balance through life’s seasons
- Re-investing in “primary satisfactions” of life
- Spiritual texts, myths and stories for understanding these times
- Times of crisis as initiatory rites of passage
- The sacred power of ritual for healing and awakening
- Answering the call of our Soul’s dharma to heal, awaken and contribute
Structure of the Program
- Seasonal Weekend Retreats
- March 25-26 – Spring Equinox
- June 24-25 – Summer Solstice
- September 16-17 – Autumnal Equinox
- December 9-10 – Winter Solstice
These small group (15 people) immersive weekend retreats (two-days, one night* – 9 am Saturday – 5 pm Sunday) will consist of:
- Two sessions of yoga practice + spiritual teachings daily
- Morning / Evening chanting + meditation
- Time in solitude, community + nature
- Seasonal sacred rituals
- Seasonal Yoga + Ayurveda Practices for balance and well-being
- Shared meals, stories/myths, songs, tears and laughter
- * Those wishing to lengthen their retreat stays may add extra nights as available (more below)
2. Quarterly Satsangs in Minneapolis: Teachings, practice and community time.
- Spring Satsang, Saturday, May 13
- Summer Satsang, Saturday, August 12
- Fall Satsang, Saturday November 4
- Winter Satsang, Saturday January 6, 2024
Satsangs will be recorded if you are unable to attend in person.
Retreats will be held at the Episcopal House of Prayer, in Collegeville, MN – 75 miles NW of Minneapolis. For over 30 years, they’ve been welcoming groups for retreat and spiritual practice. Recognized for it’s potent sacred space, natural and architectural beauty, it is a sanctuary designed to support deep connection.
The House of Prayer is nestled on the edge of Saint John’s Abbey and University – amidst the remarkable beauty and sanctuary of 2,700 acres of extensive pine and hardwood forest, wetlands, lakes, oak savanna, restored prairie, and hiking trails. Its been a place of learning and spiritual refuge for over 165 years.
Accommodations and Meals
The retreat house is designed to support both community and solitude. There are single and double rooms with twin beds, individual sinks, desks, chairs and reading lamps. The larger living/ dining spaces and restrooms are shared. The oratory and prayer room are available as quiet, contemplative spaces. In the spirit of community, we will eat meals communally. Each person will be assigned to a group responsible for planning and bringing/ preparing one meal per retreat. Meals will be vegetarian and we’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. We’ve done meals this way for years on fall immersion, and they are always wonderful!
Your investment
This small group program is limited to 15 people. Spaces + accommodation preferences will be allotted in the order in which payment and registration are received. Rates for the program are as follows (inclusive of program tuition and lodging):
Private Room – $2750 Shared Room – $2450
Early Registration Discount – $150 off the above rates when paid in full by Feb 7. Payment Plans may be available on an individual basis for those unable to pay in full by March 7.
Optional Add-ons
Quarterly Private Session w/ Ben: $400 for the year ($100 x 4, a $40 discount/ session) *Extra night stay: $75/night (paid separately as available), for those wishing to add Friday or Sunday night to any retreat weekends,
To reserve your space:
- Please email the completed the registration form to [email protected]
- Submit a $500 deposit (non-refundable). Payment is preferred through Venmo (@vincent-yoga). Payment can also be made through cash, check, PayPal ([email protected]), CC. There is a 3.5% fee for paypal or CC to cover costs. Please contact Ben directly to pay via cash, check or CC.
All payments are due in full by March 7. There will be a $75 fee for late payments. All payments are final and non-refundable, unless your reserved space in the program is filled. If you choose to withdraw from the program, your payment will be forfeited. Other discounts and scholarships are not available.
Please contact [email protected] with any inquiries about the program, registration or payment plans.
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