Being, Longing, & Belonging: A Circle of Trust® Retreat

What longing do you hold, harbor, or celebrate in your heart? How might your innate being and deepest longing be intertwined? When and how do you experience belonging? What sustains that? What gets in the way?

From facilitator Cat Greenstreet: As I connect to my own presence, my own being, in the present moment, I am not alone. I belong to something larger than myself, larger than I can imagine. I long to belong. But what does belonging ask of me? What is the invitation? Belong to what, to whom?

During this face-to-face weekend retreat, we’ll gather Friday evening through Sunday lunchtime. Making use of the beautiful retreat space, as well as nearby outdoor spaces, we’ll reflect, discover insights, and dive into meaningful questions around being, longing, and belonging. This Circle of Trust® retreat is guided by Cat Greenstreet and Chandra Joseph-Lacet, and hosted by Peace House.

What to Expect
Each gathering during the weekend includes centering, an opening circle, reflecting in solitude, moving into small groups to share, listen, welcome silence, and ask honest, open questions, and then share in the large circle. Music, movement, and time outdoors are integrated into the experience.

Together, we’ll create a sacred, confidential space in which to do our inner work in a unique way. Flowing between times of solitude and community, we’ll listen generously to our inner teacher (soul, spirit, still small voice, inner guidance) and to one another. We will explore our themes of being, longing, and belonging while listening deeply to ourselves and others, speaking from the heart, and learning to ask open, honest questions instead of fixing, saving, advising, or correcting.
Since a Circle of Trust is enriched by metaphors, we will reflect on “third things”: poetry, prose, images, video, nature, and song. The community that emerges grows in the soil of the Touchstones – practices that encourage openness and curiosity for self and others – inviting us to let go of the need to fix and advise. Everything we offer is invitational; we turn to wonder, and honor deep confidentiality.

This Circle of Trust® retreat is based on the work of Parker J. Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal. More information can be found here: https://couragerenewal.org/about-us/

Details
Each session includes centering, an opening circle, reflecting in solitude, moving into small groups to share, listen, welcome silence, and ask honest, open questions, and then sharing in the large circle. Music, movement, and time outdoors is integrated into the experience.

Joining Cat Greenstreet in facilitation for this event is Chandra Joseph-Lacet who has spent the last 29 years working in the field of education. She began her career in Higher Education working in a variety of Student Affairs Departments and later transitioned to K-12 education where she began her teaching career in the Boston Public Schools as an Elementary School Teacher. In addition to working as an Elementary School Teacher, Chandra has also served as a Special Education Teacher, Literacy Coach, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Coach for early career teachers. Chandra is an educational consultant who co-creates brave spaces where people can truly tune into their inner selves and learn, grow and expand the whole of who they are. Chandra lives in Boston with her husband, two children and a wonderful GoldenDoodle named Troy. She is presently a Courage & Renewal apprentice.