Lucid Living week France, 2012

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“When the retreat ended I was feeling full of love and happiness. Something had shifted inside me energetically. The space created there allowed me to open up and feel vulnerable, but also safe. In that state you also touch truth inside yourself, which dissolves layers of beliefs and wrong ideas about life itself.” Liliana about France 2011

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Our invitation

Watch the making of this video – Lucid Bloopers »

This week in France is about you going for your life. Our intention is to not only create an environment where we encourage each other to slow down and recognise the simple truth of our being but also to catalyse an enthusiasm and dedication to making the intimacy of our groups the reality in our daily lives. We want to challenge and support each other to make openness, honesty and being real our priority in every moment with every person we meet. We will learn how to do this as the natural process of sharing unfolds, inviting each of us to be who we are in the moment, body, mind, heart and soul.

In our group we welcome newcomer and long-time-sharers of all ages and backgrounds. There are no prerequisites to join us. You need not be familiar with any spiritual philosophies but have an open heart and mind to explore your life in each moment. We will gather in groups, sit in silence and leave plenty of time for movement, exercise and relaxing in the beautiful surroundings. Oh, and on June 20 is summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

Rafael has been part of Sharing Groups for many years. This is the seventh time that we are organising a residential Lucid Living week, and he has taken on the patronage of next years’ retreat. He has found us a wonderful place in the south of France. “I am happy and excited that another Sharing retreat is materialising for 2012! The experiences I had in past retreats often felt like glimpses into an advanced, happy future, where what we are experimenting with in a special setup, has become the norm. I’m up for this!”

We are excited about a simple, fresh and real meeting that allows for all of us to connect deeply. We look forward to creating another amazing, life transforming and fun week together!
Veronika, Ryan, Rafael

Read more about us »

Lucid Living Retreat Gardoussel, Lanquedoc location on a map June 15 to 22, 2011 Register here »

If you are unsure whether this retreat is for you or have any questions, always feel free to connect:
Veronika, UK: 0044 (7809) 897 392, info[at]lucid-living.org
Rafael, Austria: 0043 (699) 1234 6817, rafael[at]lucid-living.org

About our retreat

When you experience a Lucid Living group you will recognise that something truly magical happens. It is invisible but tangible. You realise something that changes everything. There is a felt sense of unity, well-being and aliveness. Like coming home. It is a relief from constrictions and an excitement to fall into the unknown space that we share with each other.

One of the aspects that makes this group unique is that there is no facilitation and no leader but a clear shared intention and commitment to be honest, open and supportive of each other. This bears the challenging and rewarding invitation for each participant to follow their impuls in stepping forward and engaging with others. Amongst the people in our group you will find great wisdom, insightful inspiration, challenging perspectives, tested experience as well as plenty of humor and lots of encouragement to experiment with being authentically who you are, present in each moment.

What we offer is a simple way to experience a profound spiritual awakening, fully embracing our everyday humanness and engaging with life.

Group schedule

Our week will start with an introductory day where Veronika, Ryan and Rafael will lay out the basic principles of sharing together with those who have been to groups with us before. We will take time to answer questions and ease our way into sharing with each other.

We gather twice a day to share with each other. Our group times flow naturally between meal times. We will also leave plenty of time for movement, exercise and relaxing. One afternoon we plan on doing a trip which everybody is welcome to join. As our group unfolds we may vary our schedule accordingly.

The local area offers a wide variety of hiking trails, river bathing, mountain biking, a local Sunday market… or simply explore the hills behind the hamlet or relax in a hammock in our peaceful gardens & grounds. If you plan on taking a dip in the nearby river or waterfall please bring an extra towel. Free WiFi is available.

Although we will have dedicated time for groups, this whole week is about being present with each other in every moment. It is up to each of us to be responsible for creating this group and to maintain the depth and presence throughout our time together.

The place

Gardoussel Retreat is a simple, family-run retreat specialising in creative and holistic holidays. Set in the lush Cévennes mountains of the Languedoc region, Gardoussel (‘guardian of the birds’) is a magical oasis of calm in one of the most beautiful and untouched parts of France. Surrounded by glorious pine and holm oak forests, Gardoussel is a picturesque hamlet set in 45 acres of private meadow and woodland, 1 hour from Nimes and 2 hours from Montpellier. Secluded yet within easy access to pretty villages, it offers the perfect opportunity to tune into nature and to ourselves. Served with delicious, home-made, organic vegetarian meals. Group spaces include an indoor hall (Le Loft), two outdoor yoga decks and a ‘boma’ seated fire pit.

Gardoussel Retreat, 30940 St Andre de Valborgne, France, www.gardoussel.com

Accommodation
Guests are accommodated throughout the rooms at Gardoussel – among the two gites and five independent guest rooms there is a total of nine bedrooms sleeping up to a maximum of 24 people. Some rooms are en-suite, the rest share a bathroom and toilet with one other bedroom.

Food
Breakfast is continental-style (breakfast cereals, toast, jams, juices, tea / coffee etc). Lunch and dinner are normally prepared by Frances and a second chef under the guidance of Alex and consist of delicious, fresh, home-made vegetarian meals inspired by Ayurvedic nutritional principles, adjusted to western foods and culture. Most of the ingredients used are organic and grown in the local area. Snacks (tea, coffee, fuit, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts) are available throughout the day.

Most of the meals are suitable for vegans, however Gardoussel can cater for people with other special dietary needs if requested with an early booking. If you follow a specialised diet please bring your own food & supplements.

Meals are self-service. A family-run retreat, guests help mainly by lending a hand – clearing up after mealtimes and washing the dishes, caring for your room and looking after the communal spaces. This requires about 15 minutes a day.

Some people call this karma yoga – an effort to nurture our sense of inner peace while going about our daily duties and activities. Others refer to it as seva – loving service to others. Whatever the yogic definition, working together for the pleasure of it helps to foster a sense of community spirit and creates a more authentic atmosphere.

Travelling

The retreat booking does not include your travels. We are, however, happy to help you coordinate your travel to/from the airport to/from Gardoussel retreat. Generally, the more of us arrive at the same time at the same airport the cheaper transportation to/from the retreat center will be. Coordinating all our travel plans is a complex task. If you would like our help in finding shared transportation please let us know your travel details by May 15, 2011. Transfer service is payable cash (Euro). If you book later than May 15 please organise your own transfer.

Arrival day is Friday, June 15. Gardoussel will welcome us any time after 4pm. Our group starts Friday evening with a welcome gathering and dinner. Our group ends on Thursday evening. On the departure day, Friday June 22, your room needs to be vacated by 10am but we can stay on the property until early afternoon. Lunch can be arranged but has to be booked separately and payed for as an extra directly to Gardoussel.

By air
The easiest way to get to Gardoussel Retreat is to fly into Nimes, then share a taxi or travel up by bus (approx 1 hr transfer time). You can also fly into Montpellier (approx 2 hrs transfer time) or Marseilles.

By train
Eurostar runs a TGV ‘fast train’ service from London / Lille / Paris to Nîmes, with the journey Paris – Nîmes taking just under 3 hours. You can then organize a taxi share or take a bus to St Jean du Gard.

See more travel information on Gardoussel website »

For your information we are booked on these flights with easyjet:
London Gatwick to Montpellier, 15 June 2012, 11:25am-14:15pm, Flight 5053
Montpellier to London Gatwick, 22 June 2012, 14:45pm-15:35pm, Flight 5054

What to bring

Although we are in the south of France we suggest you to pack some warm, cosy cloths for the evenings. We are in the Cévennes mountains of the Languedoc region and it can get fresh in the mornings and evenings. Gardoussel provides all bedding. You need to bring your own towel. A torch may also be useful for walking in the grounds at night. If you fancy swimming in the river bring a swimming costume and an extra towel. For our groups we will be sitting on the floor. Cushions, blankets and yoga mats are provided.

Weather
There is a fantastically warm climate in the Cevennes region throughout the year. In June temperatures are usually in the 25-30°C range, with many hours of glorious sunshine. Warm temperatures tend to last long into the evening, but drop at night.

Costs

Costs are GB £620 per person for the week and include shared accommodation, all meals, use of facilities and an organising fee. Not included are flights, transportation to/from Gardoussel and any extras you might want to have (e.g. trips, wine…). There is a very limited availability of single rooms at GB £810. Please speak to us before booking.

Booking deadline is May 15, 2011 so there is enough time for Gardoussel and us to prepare the group and organise travel arrangements. All bookings are handled by Lucid Living. All prices in GB£.

The deposit of GB £220 is due immediately with your booking to secure your space. The balance is payable by May 15, 2012.

You may cancel your booking up to May 15, 2011 but please note we cannot refund your deposit. For cancellations on or after May 15, 2011 or in case of no show the full price is payable.

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“I look forward to our Lucid Living retreat all year because it’s the most powerful space I’ve come across where I can be supported in being who I am, unconditionally and who I can become most profoundly. Not only am I supported, but I am supporting others to live their highest potential, most truthful self, most awakened possibilities. It’s loving, challenging, fun; the most real environment you can come across.” Ryan

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