Awakening to Life

Dyad Meditation Retreat
A 7-Day Intensive Experiential Retreat

Deepen your connection to yourself and life.

Come and experience a meditation practice that supports staying fully present with your inner world.

Learn how you can stay focused like never before by developing your capacity for mindfulness through Dyad meditation.

For more information or to register, visit our website

About the retreat

Learn a meditation technique in a beautiful chateau in the south of Belgium. 
We invite you on a journey of...
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Direct experiencing, sensing, and being
Embodying your deepest authenticity
Venturing beyond head-centered thinking to reclaim wholeness
Witnessing the mystery of existence unfold.
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Dyad meditation? What are Dyads?
Dyads are a powerful meditation technique in pairs. In contrast to silent meditation methods practiced alone, this one is practiced face-to-face.

These meditative explorations offer an opportunity to practice deep listening and presence to another, and to express yourself authentically in the moment.

So why Dyad?
The Dyad format brings a powerful focus to the here and now.
The clear structure means that you will have space to connect to what is going on for you without being influenced by other people.
You will learn to live in a way that is true to yourself, while in community and connecting with others.
Develop the capacity to embrace all sensations and welcome all experiences so that you meet life with greater equanimity and compassion.
You will feel more alive and openhearted.

LOCATION

The Domain of Château Frandeux is quietly located, on the edge of the Belgian Ardennes. The area is also known as the Land of the Valleys. A land of castles with a rich and varied heritage.

The Château is located directly on a lake and surrounded by beautiful nature. Bring some walking shoes for a forest walk!As you enter there is a spacious lounge with a majestic fireplace and a piano. From here you have a fantastic view over the grand lake.

The schedule is quite intensive and has been carefully fine-tuned over the years to balance time in community, silent integration time outside in nature, body movement, and deep inner inquiry.

MEALS

You will be served daily freshly prepared meals, snacks, tea, and coffee included in the price.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner  are prepared by our skilled chef and are vegetarian and organic and served in the Chateau dining hall.

Note, We can cater for other diets, but please let us know timeously.

ROOMS

All rooms in the chateau are simple but stylish, with views of the beautiful surroundings.

Each room is comfortably furnished and all have a washing stand.

Seven rooms have access to their own sanitary facilities (shower and toilet). The remaining rooms share nine toilets and 10 showers.

All beds are made on arrival and equipped with a set of towels.

JoinUs
for a slice of heaven

The Awakening to Life Intensive Retreat was developed by fellow CNVC trainers Robert Gonzales and Robert Krzisnik out of their shared history of facilitating Enlightenment Intensives and interest in the embodiment and spirituality of Nonviolent Communication.

We, Nic and Sarah, are both very excited and passionate about facilitating this intensive retreat, in which we, as a community, witness and support the embodiment of our deepest authenticity.

PRICING

Pricing starts at €1450 p.p.

This includes full accommodation, meals, materials and facilitation of the retreat.

This excludes travel, visas and insurance costs.

Scholarships are available.

For more information or to register, visit our website

Testimonials

“The realisation: I am allowed to be there, I am allowed to show myself with a smile and a tear. Thank you for the guidance! This retreat was palpable proof for me “my path is mine to walk, AND I don’t have to walk it alone”. 

Nele Mestdagh

“I experienced Nic and Sarah’s guidance as clear, soft & comfortable in a strong and solid way. Which gave me the opportunity to go deep, relax, let go, feel openness, love and most of all great joy.”

Petra van Hauwaert

“The Dyad retreat with Sarah and Nic brought me to a surprisingly deep silence. After the retreat, I felt more space to remain calm in situations and to react from a more relaxed place.”

Stijn van Hulle

“I want to thank you both for the retreat. For your expertise and professionalism, and the clarity with which you provided the information and instructions. That brought incredible peace and clarity to me and allowed me to surrender in confidence and flow of the day and all the dyads brought. For safety too, thanks in part to your loving and open presence. And then I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful surroundings in autumn colours, and the pure food, both so welcome and supportive of the process of slowing down and getting closer to myself.”

Liesbeth Fivez

“This retreat reminded me of what is essential to me. Nic and Sarah created the opportunity to remind us of who we really are. I encountered myself and the other participants in many ways and I am very grateful for that. I feel deeply nourished.”

Hilde van Gool

About the Facilitators

Nic Burnand and Sarah Dekker are both certified CNVC trainers. They share a passion to create safe spaces for deep inner healing and personal development. 

They have been trained and mentored by Robert Gonzales and Robert Krzisnik over a number of years to guide the Awakening to Life Intensive Retreats that they developed. While this is not classical NVC, the process supports developing a heightened awareness of sensing, of connecting to our needs as life energy, as well as enhancing out capacity to listen and be present to ourselves and each other.

When they are not offering Dyad meditation retreats, Nic and Sarah support and coach people individually, working with Internal Family Systems therapy to navigate the psyche as well as guiding psychedelic journeys. 

They love traveling, surfing, cooking up tasty meals and spending time in nature.