The Retreat

Retreat Overview:

How does Avalon work?  It starts with a willingness of an individual to take the first step by leading themselves, to be radically honest with where they are at, and with openness, to see themselves in the other.  We call this connection to the others in the group the meeting point.  When a group begins to tune in to what is alive in themselves and to share vulnerably, others are touched.  When touched, things move.  The practice of the meeting point is a safe and easily integrated method that can facilitate deep inner growth.  In some ways the practices seem simple and natural, but spaces that can feel safe enough to allow someone to surrender to fully feel the deepest parts of themselves, and often are not even conscious of, are rare.  And even more rare is the experience of inner transformation that allows one to return to their life with increased capacity to show up for their calling.

This transformation requires that a person be held in love by others to the degree that they can find the radical trust, transformative courage and raw determination to surrender into their pain or subconscious patterns and thus release the contractions that are held in their body,  and to reclaim their sovereignty.  This can’t be done just through one-on-one sessions or taught in a curriculum.  Avalon recognizes this and provides an appropriate container for this transformation. 

We will use the word trauma, even as many new participants will say that they have never experienced trauma in their life.  We use the word to describe the external factors, and our internal response to them, that influence our beliefs, struggles, blind spots, and actions.  Trauma is both what happened to us, but also what we did not receive.  It could be obvious and known, or not known.  What is clear is that in our bodies and actions we can see the evidence of a trauma, and this is what we meet.  Avalon is unique in that the practices do not require conscious awareness of the cause of the trauma to be able to heal from it and experience lasting life change.  For many it is the place where they finally break free from those deep rooted, and often hidden, personal struggles.   

As an individual’s trauma is released from the body and they are held in by a community through their integration process, stable self-led leaders emerge.  By accessing more of their core self, new capacities present themselves leading to increased grounding and stability.  When triggered, rather than loosing control through anger or giving up, a capacity to hold oneself in steadiness, presence, and compassion replaces it.  These capacities include an increased awareness and love for others together with an ability to stand in power.   Further, in those who grow through Avalon, we observe increased spiritual awakening, clarity of purpose, and capacity for action. 

What emerges from Avalon are the stable, conscious, and powerful leaders that the world needs.   As these leaders heal, they can begin to see beyond just their own pain and then to see themselves in connection to others and to source.  Avalon is not a spiritual modality and people from many religious traditions participate together.  But what we have found is that many experience a spiritual awakening as they heal. As we receive first, and cleanse from within, and our authentic self that longs for connection for the divine emerges.  This resultant increased devotion to source and to humanity elevates their capacities as a leader.

Avalon Foundation:

For 10 years, the Avalon retreat has been a container for deep healing by utilizing powerful modalities developed by Alanja Forsberg and held in the love and connection of each group that comes together.  The retreat has evolved over time and now is shifting to a focus on legacy, how do we scale and pass on this valuable methodology for healing.  We have launched a foundation that supports the creation of support materials, a training center, a book, and other media content.    

Themes:

The following Avalon themes will be experienced during the week:

“Pesos” Theory of Development - We’ll discuss how traumas from an early age become “shadow” activities, which catch up with us later, holding us back from our highest potential.

Healing in Connection - A key premise of Avalon is: Traumas formed in connection can only be healed in connection. We’ll train in fully “meeting” one another in connection, both physically and psychologically.

Compassion in Action - We’ll explore the differences among feeling empathy, merely being a “helper,” and demonstrating true compassion in action. We’ll explore how to tune into to another's energy, emotional state, and viewpoint. You will learn to use these skills to facilitate deeper healing, in yourself and in others.

The Art of the "Meeting" - how to attune to the energy, current emotional state and worldview of the people around you, for deep connection and healing.

Surrendered Leadership - Can we lead from a place of surrender? Can we allow our own deeper intelligence to act through us, guide us into an open receptivity, and achieve results our conscious mind could never have anticipated? We can, and we’ll practice this together regularly, over the course of the week. What it means to have a plan, but be able to lead with “all there is”, whether in business, workshops or in your relationships.

Integration:

Highly Recommended - We recommend you to spend another night or two before traveling home to ground yourself and take time to come back to normal life.  On this retreat we will offer both an optional safari or the ability to stay at the retreat center for as long as one needs.

1:1 Sessions - Also at least 5-10 coaching sessions with Alanja or Xena post retreat for integration and grounding the experience that took place.  Pricing will be provided on request.

Weekly Group Session – Included in the cost of attending, post retreat will be held via zoom for a month (post retreat). Dates and timing will be discussed collectively during the retreat.