We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Archive

What is a Sacred Relationship? by Andrew Burrows

Last month, Shanti was blessed with the return of two good long time friends of ours, Tiffany and Kristof, to offer their inspired and annual Sacred Relationships retreat here on Wolfe Island. In partnership, the two have created and continue to shape Living in the Self, the space for the home of their offerings and the place through which they inspire others to live in an authentic and tantric way. Tantra is a Sanskrit word that means “woven together.” Buddhist and Hindu practitioners of meditation use “sexual union as a metaphor for weaving together the physical and the spiritual: weaving person to person, and humanity to the divine. The purpose is to become one with God.”(1) With this at the forefront, Tiffany and Kristof’s retreat here is continuously laced with different techniques and exercises to bring about union and intimacy – both union within and with oneself, but also with another, as two souls come together to celebrate, in connection, a sacred relationship.

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to partake in bits and pieces of their retreat here a few weekends back. I feel especially blessed to have participated with my partner who, as of this season, I live and work with here at Shanti. Together and among other couples, we were sweetly guided by Tiffany and Kristof through a variety of partner yoga postures and exercises, breathing techniques, the creation of a relationship manifesto, and a ritual involving foot massage and the whisperings of what I like to call sweet everythings, also known as adorations.

I now understand a little bit more when I see the couples of these retreats leave Shanti with a detectable lightness and palpable brightness to them. I now understand a little bit more how when they say that this weekend changed their lives and their relationships, this is absolutely and indeed the case. Spending the few sessions together with my partner in this sacred context was such an enriching experience. Synchronizing breathing and gazing into the eyes of another with one hand on our heart and one hand on theirs – a beautiful practice of connection, or reconnection, and union.

Being in a relationship is such a rich experience, one that is constantly changing and unfolding all on its own. It is an experience that can be as organic as we allow, and can also be the arena in our lives where we learn the most about ourselves. Although we all come into this world alone and leave in this same way, we are forever in relation with those around us – firstly with our mothers who gave us life, as well as with our fathers, our siblings, relatives, friends, teachers, and also with strangers.

Undeniably, we are social creatures, and Tiffany and Kristof’s retreats here remind us of exactly this. Not only do they remind us of this, but they remind us to enjoy it, and to completely embrace the sweetness and the sacredness of human to human connection – eye to eye. They remind us to embrace the highlights and joys and the celebration of relationship, but also the challenges, resistances and difficulties that arise and inevitably show up. Embracing the totality of the human (and human-to-human) experience, all highs and all lows, and all else in between, is what guests of this retreat can expect to take home with them.

Next year, fortunately for all, Tiffany and Kristof will be back to host two Sacred Relationships retreats: June 26-28 and September 29-October 1. Get in touch with us at Shanti today to make your reservation either by e-mail ([email protected]) or by telephone (613-777-0247). We look forward to welcoming you and yours.

Sources
(1) http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/relationships/tantric-sex/


Date Added: November 14, 2016 | Comments (0) | Filed under: Uncategorized



August Long Weekend Bhakti & Yoga Celebration (August 4-7, 2017)

Come to Wolfe Island for our 5th annual celebration of Bhakti; the yoga of love and devotion! Enjoy the beauty and aliveness of Shanti in August. Immerse yourself in four days filled with yoga, meditation, kirtan, delicious vegetarian cuisine, and free time to spend savoring the beauty that surrounds us. This year’s lineup features Brenda McMorrow, Lana Sugarman, Narada Wise, special guest bassist Chris Gartner, and we welcome for the first time Swaha. Om Namah Shivaya… We look forward to welcoming you!

{{{ See HERE for more information }}}

Your Weekend Retreat Includes…

Accommodation at Shanti Retreat, 6 Vegetarian Meals, 2 Afternoon Snacks, 4 Yoga Classes (Suitable For All Levels), 3 Morning Meditations, Over 12 hours of Kirtan, 1 Afternoon Workshop with Brenda, 1 Infrared Sauna Session, and Use of Shanti’s Amenities (Wellness Tea Bar, WiFi, Labyrinth, Canoes and Kayaks, Hammocks, Walking and Cycling Routes).

Your Schedule…

Friday
Arrival After 2:00pm
4:30pm Yoga with Darin
6:30pm Dinner
8:00pm Kirtan with Swaha

Saturday
Light Breakfast Upon Rising
8:00am Meditation with Darin
8:45am Yoga with Wendy
10:30am Shanti Signature Brunch
12:00-2:00pm Kirtan with Lana
2:30pm Afternoon Snack & Free Time
4:30-6:00pm Conscious Dance with Lacey
6:30pm Dinner
8:00pm Kirtan with Brenda
10:00pm Bhakti Bon Fire

Sunday
Light Breakfast Upon Rising
8:00am Meditation with Darin
8:45am Yoga with Wendy
10:30am Shanti Signature Brunch
12:00pm Check Out for 3 Day Guests
12:00-2:00pm Kirtan with Narada
2:30pm Afternoon Snack & Free Time
4:00-6:00pm Workshop with Brenda
6:30pm Dinner
8:00pm Kirtan with Lana
10:00pm Bhakti Bon Fire

Monday
Light Breakfast Upon Rising
8:15-9:15am Yoga with Wendy
9:30-10:30am Closing Kirtan
10:45am Shanti Signature Brunch
12:00pm Check Out of Rooms
Enjoy the Property Until 2:00pm

4 Day Rates

Semi-Private             Shared
$630+HST                    $605+HST

Shanti Tent               Personal Tent
$580+HST                   $555+HST

For the 3 Day Rate, please subtract $150+HST from the above rates.

Saturday Day Pass (10:00am-10:00pm) includes brunch, snack and dinner, as well as kirtan with Lana, Conscious Dance with Lacey, evening kirtan with Brenda, and use of Shanti’s amenities.

Sunday Day Pass (10:00am-10:00pm) includes brunch, snack and dinner, as well as kirtan with Narada, 2 hour workshop with Brenda, evening kirtan with Lana, and use of Shanti’s amenities.

Off-Site Accommodation is also available in the event that our rooms and cabins fill up. Please contact the Dreamcatcher’s Inn (5 minute drive away) at 315-955-3990. The 4 day rate is $555+HST, and the 3 day rate is $405+HST.

{{ Contact us to make your reservation today! [email protected] or 613 777 0247 }}


Date Added: November 12, 2016 | Comments (0) | Filed under: Uncategorized



About Us

Enjoy the tranquil 11 acre property where our spacious century inn and cabins are situated on 1000 feet of private shoreline. Now in its 15th season, Shanti has become a popular retreat destination in Ontario. More…

Instagram