Community Immersion
Discover the transformative power of deep connection
Â
CANCELLED // November 15-17, 2024
Cancelled due to necessary recovery from Hurricane Helene. We're currently focusing our community immersion skills on our local area. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to grow in community with us!
Â
We all thrive through connection,
yet true community often feels out of reach.
Â
We yearn for deeper connections but struggle to find true community in our busy and separate lives. Sometimes, stepping into a new, curated container is necessary to immerse ourselves in collective presence, rediscover our sense of belonging, and nurture our spiritual growth.
Join us for an enriching experience where you'll engage in meaningful connections and deep, shared practices. Embrace the powerful support of a like-minded community, where every individual is seen, heard, and valued. Together, we'll amplify our spiritual journeys and create a sacred space for growth and transformation.
Could it be time to embrace the power of collective presence?
Elements
Mama NatureÂ
Not only are we situated in abundant natural beauty, we also venture on guided group excursions like woodland trails, river floats, & waterfalls.
Daily Heart Circles
We'll gather daily in ceremonial containers that drop us into deeper collective remembering and embodying.
Beautiful Private Retreat Homes
There's nothing more relaxing than staying in a place that feels like home. These homes are specifically curated for simple, sacred beauty.Â
Skilled GuidanceÂ
Rest in trust, as you receive from our decades of experience supporting practices of rest & renewal.
BJ and Karin are skilled at meeting people where they are on their journey, and finding the right medicine for each person. We are able to flow with you and your own development, understanding that no one is static.
We pride ourselves on paying attention and being able to take in feedback, whether it's spoken or silent, and respond to individual and group emergent needs.
Renewal Activities
Our menu of offerings to choose from to build our week together.
Yoga
Circling
Painting
Fire Circle
Ecstatic Dance
Partner Dancing
Somatic Meditation
Family Constellations
Meditative Self-Inquiry
Internal Family Systems
Non Violent Communication
Law of One Study + Discussion
Conflict Transformation
Empathic Reflection
Authentic Relating
Improv Games
Body Rolling
Singing
+more
Details
Connection
Personalized Support
Group Support
Private Sessions
Newcomers Welcome
Open Space
River Access
Accommodations
Daily Flow
Schedule
Arrival Friday
The houses will be open all day for you on the 15th.
We will gather for opening circle at 6pm, November 15th.
Saturday
Expect a 90-minute heart share every day, plus another 2-4 hours of optional connecting and skill-building activities on Saturday.Â
Each participant will also have free time within the week to relax and explore the Asheville area and our majestic mountains.
There will be time in your weekend to also book support sessions with Karin and BJ.
We also encourage participants to book sessions with other local healers in many modalities. We have a list of outstanding local practitioners that we recommend, that you won't want to miss while you're here.
Departure Sunday
We will end with a closing circle from 9am-12pm on the 17th.Â
Check out is not until 6pm Sunday with the option to stay another evening if you want more free time in the Asheville area after your retreat. Please let us know if you'd like additional time after the retreat.Â
Facilitators
Karin Petersen
I come alive in holding space for groups. I just plain love it! Even more so now that I'm home in my own skin.
As a teacher, facilitator, student, and community organizer, I advocate for embodied presence.Â
My background is in Non Violent Communication, Somatic Meditation, Internal Family Systems and a practice of radical self-love.
Â
BJ Harden Jones
I'm here to serve humanity with a vision of peace. With kindness, patience, a fierce dedication to unconditional love, and a radical confidence in our innate freedom from suffering.Â
Facilitating group retreats (with Karin!) is one of my favorite ways to uplift others.
My background is in Meditative Self-Inquiry in the styles of The Work of Byron Katie and the Direct Path, and studying the Law of One through the teachings of Ra.
Who this is for
... you're a good fit for this immersive experience if you ...
Respect
1 Cultivate respect for your fellow human beings. (We can learn from everyone. Practice seeing your other selves as Creator.)
Self Responsible
2 Share space well with others. (This requires us to own our own feelings and stories, freeing us from projecting on others.)
Graceful
3 Practice grace and kindness with others and yourself. (Psst: When we're kind with ourselves it's easier to find kindness for others.)
Curious
4 Are ready to grow from where you are, open to input. (With deep respect for every step of your journey along the way.)
Considerate
5 Are able to and interested in stepping up and stepping back. (This often looks like speaking more or less to create equitable airtime for all.)
Harmonize
6 Are able to harmonize in shared space. (Sharing kitchens and bathrooms with others is a special opportunity to practice flexibility and generosity.)
Connecting
7 Wish to connect and be authentic. (This is a group experience. Share generously. Your experience may be what someone needs to hear today.)
Honor
8 Agree to hold what arises with respect and confidentiality. (Sometimes sensitive issues arise within the group. Keep it in our retreat container.)
Ready
9 Are ready to lean in, ready to show up. (Get the most out of our time together by bringing your full self to the experience.)
What People are Saying
Interconnectedness
“There’s a spaciousness that I have never experienced before. An interconnectedness that I’ve known was possible, but never felt. BJ, you are such medicine.” - AT
Love + Acceptance
“After working with you, I felt a lightness, peace, joy, and relief that has felt elusive as long as I can remember. As a guide, you exude care, love, and acceptance. I am enthusiastically grateful.” - AB
Profound
“BJ is the real deal.
Something deep inside was awakened simply by being in her presence. A remembering of my true essence by seeing it reflected in her. Her work is deep, profound, and powerful. All my love and deepest bows.” - SC
Blown Away
“I’m kind of blown away by the work we did. I feel a stillness and a peace in myself that is not too familiar. I just feel a profound, deep shift in myself. I have so much evidence of my capacity to transform struggle into fulfillment.” - PB
What's Included
• Heart circles. These daily gems are a centerpiece of our retreat framework. They are ceremonial containers that drop us into deeper collective remembering and embodying.
• Optional curated group activities that support our theme of Rest and Renewal. Check out our Renewal Activities list above for offerings.
• Lodging for 2 nights in one of our 2 beautiful retreat homes with spacious shared kitchens.
• Small, intimate group size of 10-15 retreat mates.
• Pre retreat you'll be teamed up with a dedicated small group pod to facilitate connection. And you'll be connected to the whole group via online chat forum.
Â
What's Not Included
• Meals are not included. Each participant is welcome to make use of the house kitchens. And Asheville is an excellent destination for foodies, with tons of mouth-watering options within 15 minutes of our site.
• If you're flying, transportation to and from the airport is not included. Though you'll be connected to the group and self-organizing is encouraged!
• Asheville has very limited public transportation. So we recommend renting a car, or coordinating with other retreat mates to share the rental.
Together, let's practice living the way of the open heart.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Email us at [email protected]
We hope to see you soon.
♡ Karin and BJ
Retreat Facilitators,
Longtime Friends
Â
Registration for this retreat is coming soon.Â
In the meantime, join our mailing list below to receive retreat updates.Â
Join Our Mailing List
Stay in touch with our offerings, and join us in powerful practice.
Experiencing Other-Self
Inspiration for our Community Immersions
"The understanding, experiencing, accepting, and merging of self with self and with other-self and, finally, with the Creator, is the path to the heart of self." - Ra