Carmen Dupont

 

Those of us at the forefront of change are in a constant state of tension. The system constantly pushes us into a reactive mode. We feel overwhelmed. We struggle to keep our hopes up. 

 

In times like these, it's more important than ever to build communities where we can come together, resource ourselves and create fertile ground for deep, collective change. We need spaces where we can claim our creative power back from a system that drains our energy and keeps us in firefighting mode. We need brave sanctuaries where we can unlearn and let go of constructs which keep us acting and thinking small. We need inner space to tune in with what we already know, to tune in with nature who holds all the answers, to tune in with others and tap into our collective wisdom. 

 

 

In a world on fire, shifting from doing to being feels counter-intuitive for many of us. At N O U S we consider it a political practice: to peel away the layers of the dominant system which are clouding our vision and to make space for new ways of understanding.

 

Our retreats offer a safe and brave space for small groups of up to 12 people to embark on a shared journey to start to: 

Our one-week guided retreats are rooted in:
·      SANCTUARY: Switching from doing to being feels counter-intuitive for many of us. We consider it a brave, radical act and a vital step towards liberation. A N O U S retreat means stepping into a sanctuary: to get the time and space to slow down and to be, in stillness and in nature, away from external distractions. We invite our guests to switch off all devices upon arrival.

·       HEAD:HEART:BODY:EARTH JOURNEY: The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master, is how the saying goes. We offer a blend of individual and collective practices – to create space for new perspectives and embodied knowledge to inform our change work. Practices accompany a different theme every day (separation/interconnectedness, power over/power with, inner wisdom, abundance/lack) and include: sharing circles, ritual, yoga, walks, meditation, practices in nature, deep relaxation, talks, fire circles, journaling, 24H restorative silence, land art, poetry, dance, 1 on 1 support, creative practices, celebration, somatics, restorative massage,…
 
·       CO-CREATION: The circle is as strong as the pure intention of who sits in it. We believe in the power of group energy and intentionality. Sharing circles take a central role in our time together. When we leave behind agendas and role performances, and we step into a place of openness and authenticity, that’s when the magic happens.

·       COMMUNITY: Diving into the inner dimension of collective transformation is not a one-week quick intervention or an individual practice. It can only be done through a collective and shared journey, which continues in community, beyond the retreat. For six months after the retreat, we facilitate monthly calls for the group, to check in and continue our circle. To support people in their N O U S journey, we share resources, courses, initiatives,… that are available in the field of inner/outer change (see below).
 

 We are building an online home for people to connect with each other, to get inspired and to access existing information, initiatives and retreats rooted in the intersection between inner work and outer change. 
With this space we want to contribute to the further emergence of inner/outer change infrastructure by centralising and lifting resources and making the field visible and accessible.  

·      Diving deep - feminist, political lens: We consider slowing down a political practice which allows us to tap into other ways of knowing and relating. Our approach is grounded in honouring feminine power and wisdom, which has been suppressed under the current dominant system. Our team is composed of four women (see website) who bring their unique experiences, perspectives and expertise. Our blend of practices - in a safe container in nature and in stillness - is designed to tap into new perspectives and embodied ways of knowing, beyond the rational mind. Our approach is deeply relational and is rooted in reconnecting with ourselves, others and the natural world. N O U S  is not about recharging people and “send them back out there”. Our intention is to regenerate people and lay the foundations for transformative actions in their lives, in their organisations, in the collective.

·      Building community, ripple effect: N O U S is not about a quick, one-week intervention in the form of a retreat. The retreat is embedded in a wider program (with monthly facilitated calls) and a continued journey in the N O U S community. Our vision is that participants will share and integrate N O U S insights and practices in their ecosystems, creating a ripple effect and contributing to a growing shift in how we do change.
 
·      Profile participants + fees: Currently, spaces and retreats on inner and outer change are often designed for people in corporate or institutional positions, entrepreneurs, leadership profiles. Participation fees tend to reflect this. Other people working on the forefront of change don’t necessarily feel these spaces are for them and participation fees tend to be a barrier. Scholarships might be  available but only for a minority. At N O U S we invite anybody working on the forefront of change, with particular attention for activists and changemakers. People can choose their participation fee on a sliding scale, depending on their income and financial situation. Our vision is to eliminate any financial barriers for people to take part.