At conscious connection events we appreciate making informed choice needs information and so heres a list of the most common asked questions. As we use a variety of venues some of the questions are site specific and may not cover your particular curiosity so please feel free to check in with us by emailing your question here:
Can I come for the weekend only? When we hold camps you are free to arrive and leave when you desire, although it is lovely to be at the opening ceremony and first meeting so you receive all the info for the activities and intentions. For retreats and gatherings where there is more a focus it is necessary to arrive before the opening circle which is often after a light supper on the Friday evening around 6.30 pm. Please try to arrive before the Welcome & Intro circle at 8 pm. For workshops it is essential to arrive on time to avoid disturbing others.
The cost seems very reasonable for all the things you’re offering. Are there any hidden extra costs or is everything included? Thank you. We like to be generous and so are including all of the following in the entrance fee: All workshops, meditation and yoga sessions, music and dance events, ceremony, plus more... All served with a hearty dose of unconditional acceptance, hugs, laughter. Eden Rise cost doesn't include bedding and towels. They can be hired there for about £12. Feel free to bring your own.
Are children and dogs allowed? Much as we LOVE children and animals we have decided to keep this as a space where adults can come and relax, free from any responsibilities which include caring for family and pets. Will there be sexual workshops? Whilst intimacy is one of our intentions it is Non sexual intimacy therefore we hold a non sexual space . Conscious Connection means many different things to different people, We take presence, stillness, slowing down, openhearted enquiry and communication from the tantric philosophies during the retreat to explore Intention, Presence and Communication (boundary & desire) in addition to Consent through mindful awareness, breath, meditation and sacred ritual and through consensual non-sexual conscious touch. EVERYTHING IS AN INVITATION, NEVER AN INSTRUCTION. You are supported and encouraged to hold your boundaries in every moment.
What is non-sexual intimacy? Great question. NSI means different things to different people. Here's an article Iwrote about it to help clarify. Non sexual intimacy: Intimacy is something most humans long for, in fact it is essential to our holistic development, yet the word is often misunderstood due to the sexualised society we live in. Intimacy creates connection deeper than sex. It nurtures and nourishes, helps expand our sense of self, and supports health and well-being. Non sexual intimacy can provide co-regulation to activated nervous systems, it can calm trauma response, regulate the heartbeat, breath and endocrine system. it supports our need to feel welcome, loved and to love. NSI can make us feel human. Sidtsara has their own definition of NSI on which the foundation of Conscious Connection Events are based: Non intentional or actioned genital, erotic desire expression or touch,
Non-sexual intimacy can include the following:
Intellectual intimacy: non-contact shared experience. sharing experiential or knowledge-based activity. - sharing story, listening, asking questions, authentic communication. feeling safe enough to share expression, vulnerability and celebration. Walking, adventuring. exploring the environment together - even going to the theatre together can create non-sexual intimacy.
Emotional Intimacy:Sharing expression- Sharing experiences/ emotional expression in story, song, dance, art, crying, laughing, expressing anger etc together. Eye gazing, heart meditations, playing music. Being seen in vulnerability.
Spiritual/soul intimacy: Being (together) in silence/stillness, eye-gazing, mirror breathing, praying/chanting together,.energy movement/flow dance, touch. Energetic alignement with something bigger than self.
Solo spiritual intimacy: stillness, silence, nature, heart practices, devotional expression - prayer, song/chant, certain types of yoga. Energetic alignment with being held/one with something bigger than ourself.
Physical Intimacy:Touch with nurturing/nourishing/healing intent sitting back to back. holding hands, dancing, Consensual and boudaried touch - hug, holding, foot rub, stroking, back scratching, rocking, massage, Cuddling, lying in stillness.
Is there any Vegan food and Gluten free food available? Whilst food is included in the cost of your retreat we often prepare food communally. We believe that what we eat affects how we are and so intend to provide healthy nutritious food. We (Diana and I, the cooks) are gluten free and mostly dairy free so we are used to cooking this way. We prefer to eat and cook meat free dishes tho have provided full english brunch on the last days, including Bacon and sausage. If you have a special dietary requirement please let us know. We encourage you to manage your condition yourself, and make sure you have some snacks available to maintain your health and wellbeing. **The Eden Rise venue is a strict vegetarian kitchen. You are welcome to bring your own precooked meat products. There is a fridge provided.
I don't have a tent. Can I borrow or share one? (wildways venue) Whilst we dont have spare tents it is possible to sleep in a communal space in one of the yurts that are used as workshop spaces in the daytime. This means you may have to 'take up thine bed and walk' so to speak, storing your personal belongings in your car or other dry space. And if course, there is always the communal dormitory option.
Is there room for live-in vehicles? Yes there is limited space for live-in vans - some flat, and some not so! It's an off-grid camp and we prefer no generators to keep the peaceful ambience and a clean environment. We have hot showers and a sauna available FOC.
I have mobility issues (use a wheelchair). Will i be able to get around ok on the camp site? WILD WAYS site is natural woodland and as such is uneven, sloped and gravelly underfoot. The communcal sleeping space is upstairs without access, and the workshop spaces are down a steepish slippy slope and so much as we would love for it to be accessible, we feel it is not.
EDEN RISE is reasonably accessible. Please speak to us about your needs.
Will there be nakedness? There may well be. This retreat is about consciousness and choice. We are inviting an attitude of unconditional acceptance, and with that comes self responsibility. For some it is a lifestyle. We are all about choice in each moment. If nakedness offends you, remember you have a choice to remove yourself, or invite an opening into acceptance. It is a great space to safely practise acceptance, and also to explore your resistance/edges.
If I'm in a workshop and I don’t want to work with the person assigned to me what would I do? Fantastic question. Thank you. Firstly know that everything we offer is an invitation NEVER an instruction. You are encouraged to honour yourself and set boundaries in EVERY MOMENT and engage in activities BY CONSENTED CHOICE. This is the essence of our work and also essential to conscious connection. Situations like this may occur, and they are your perfect opportunity to explore and expand into your personal power with the support of those in the group.
If you are in a pickle at any time raise your hand. If you would prefer to engage in the activity alone then simply draw back, cross your hands over your chest, close your eyes or look down. Thats a clear boundary. And it doesn’t matter what the other person thinks/feels. Its all about YOU! Great learning opportunity.
Will there be a gender balance? Not necessarily. The work and explorations we offer don’t involve gender or sexual connection. Whilst all events are non-sexual in behaviour and intention, eros the natural flowing of life force energy may present and needn't cause shame or offense. We love diversity and are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and inclusion, inviting diversity in all forms and holding a space of non-judgemental acceptance regardless of sameness and/or difference.
Do you need facilitators or volunteers? Great question. Thank you. On gatherings we have a community feel and so all muck in together so no volunteers are needed. On retreats we have assistants and occasionally one or two volunteers to help set up and support the team during the retreat. On camps we welcome Facilitators who share our vision and whose offerings align with conscious connection in some way, also we have kitchen prep and team supports, so yes, please enquire.
I hate my body and don't want others to see it - And I want to get over that. Will this retreat help? We hear you, thank you for sharing. One of the intentions of this camp is unconditional acceptance, and that of course starts with ourselves. This retreat is about exploring conscious connection with SELF, other and divine (if desired). Some of the workshops will support you in this. Sharing circles for example where you have the support of heart-centred others are an amazing healing opportunity. One-to-one sessions with therapists can be helpful. Meeting others with similar experiences builds supportive community. All of these things can happen at the retreat, and might be helpful to you. That said, it is a social retreat, not specifically a professional therapeutic service space, so anything you enter into is your choice and may not be held strongly enough for you to let go of self-responsibility. You may however find a facilitator that can support you outside of the camp.
I’m a young person (24) exploring my sexuality and confused! Do you think I will fit in at your retreat? Thank you. If it is any consolation many older persons are still exploring their sexuality! It can be an ongoing ever-shifting journey for those of us prepared to consciously engage in it. We KNOW the confusion and the angst of fitting in. As this is both a personal and universal experience, and the desire for the majority is to be accepted unconditionally, this is the intention we bring to this retreat. So as far as we are concerned you are very welcome. The general age is 50+ Is it more for couples? I'm a single person and dont want to feel like a gooseberry. CCC is for ALL who are wanting to offer and receive some sort of conscious connection regardless of relationship status, gender, orientation, identity. SIngles, couples, poly peeps are equally welcome. On a lighter note - wouldn't it be lovely if all the single 'gooseberries' came together in a lovely sweet juicy pie...
I'm not really into meditation but would like to give it a go. Would it be ok if I left if it doesn't work for me? Yes. Certainly. Everything we offer is an invitation, never an instruction. so you are encouraged to look after yourself, and if that means leaving in the middle of something, great. You are always welcome to come back in and give it another try if you want. We don't take anything personally as facilitators. Also, just so you know - meditation isn't just sitting on a cushion. We can share a one-minute mindful meditation with you as you help with the washing up, if you fancy that.