Retreats - Seeking Ceremony

A Be Ceremonial Retreat

This retreat is intended for end of life care providers, practitioners and supporters in this space. Together, we'll explore the visible and invisible moments connected to the end of life experience, sharing stories and supporting each other on our individual and collective journeys. The retreat is designed as a ceremony itself, teaching through practice and creating an inquisitive space for reflection and curiosity.

This is a community-based retreat, designed to foster connection and collaboration in the EOL space. There are ample opportunities for participants to offer and share their gifts with the group.

Application Inquiry

Xenia Centre

Xenia Retreat Centre is infused with magic. It's set in a tranquil, natural environment surrounded by acres of forest, pristine lakes, and horses grazing in the meadow.

Xenia is a 38-acre sanctuary in the heart of Bowen Island. As soon as you step onto the grounds, you'll feel rooted in ceremony. There's a 1,000 year old tree, a labyrinth, a meditation room, a sauna, and a gathering place where we'll all come together to learn and grow. There's lots of wildlife and animals on the farm too! Xenia has a long history of hosting ceremony, and we're honoured to welcome you to this sacred place.

Ritual workshops

Megan is a true ceremonialist, committed to ensuring that ceremony and ritual are woven into every aspect of our time together.

From how we introduce ourselves, to how we share meals, to how we spend time together in silence, we will explore ceremony from four different lenses: Solo, Partner, Group and Virtual. Each person will walk away feeling inspired and equipped to create their own ceremonies and flex their artistic muscle when it comes to ritual design. There will be specific workshops exploring topics such as grief, legacy, burnout, and self care.

Shifting Narratives

At the heart of this work, is a desire to shift the narrative around death, dying, and grief. Together, we will step into a new story that we are weaving together.

Over the course of the weekend, we'll guide you through storytelling activities that include reflecting and releasing the past, honouring the present moment, and setting intensions for the future story we are crafting and manifesting. Together, we will explore archetypes, symbols, metaphors, and visual representations of the stories we've been told and the stories we want to tell, creating a framework we can all draw from.

Cost

The cost is $850 + GST for this three day retreat, which includes two nights shared accommodation, 6 delicious vegetarian meals, healthy snacks throughout the day, and special treats. It also includes workshop supplies, ritual tools, gifts to take home, 1:1 support session, a dance party, and a professional photography session and portrait to keep.

*Does not include transportation to and from Bowen Island. If the retreat is cancelled due to Covid, we will reschedule and your payment will be applied to the new date. The deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation for personal reasons.

Accommodations

Xenia is best described as rustic, cozy, and full of heart. There are 3 private rooms, and the rest are shared cabins. Covid protocols means there will be a limited number of guests per room and proof of vaccination is required. We’ll place people in rooms based on individual needs and requests, and on a first come basis. Read more about the cottages and rooms on the Xenia website. Note there is a sauna, meditation room, labyrinth, and 1,000 year old tree named Opa.

Meals

We’ll have a caterer on site with us all weekend, and she’ll be preparing all of our vegetarian meals, including snacks throughout the day. Each meal will have options that include gluten and dairy free. We’ll have dinner together Day 1 evening, three meals together on Day 2, and breakfast and lunch on Day 3. There will be lots of snacks and treats throughout the weekend. You’re welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks.

Travel

You’re responsible for getting yourself to and from Bowen Island. We will be convening at 630pm and serving dinner at 7pm the first evening, so we suggest you take the 4pm ferry on the Friday to settle in before we begin. We’ll be wrapping up on day 3 after lunch, and there are ferries running all afternoon. You’re also welcome to explore the island after we close. We’ll send out details about ferry times and carpooling as the retreat approaches.

Accessibility

We offer two partial scholarships for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. We will donate 5% of the proceeds from each retreat to the Legacy of Hope, a Canadian, Indigenous-led charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada since 1998.

We’re committed to making our retreats as accessible as possible, although we’re limited to the physical accessibility of our venue and rural setting. If you have questions around accessibility. please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your specific needs.

Sharing our gifts

We are fortunate to have so many talented people joining us on our retreat. If you have a gift you would like to share with the group – whether it’s leading us in song, with yoga, on a hike, or in conversation, we invite you to share your gifts so we can celebrate them and learn from each other. Please reach out to find out more about our planned workshops.

Past Retreats

Here’s a slideshow capturing the magic from our New Year Ceremony Retreat in 2020. Photography by Felicia Chang.