Shared Roots in the Family Soul:

Irreplaceable Strength for Engaging in Today’s World

Begins Friday, September 27, 2019 at 1 pm
Ends Sunday, September 29, 2019 at noon
Aldermarsh Retreat Center
Clinton, Whidbey Island, WA

Our shared humanity originates in family, where life and belonging begin. Reclaiming our shared roots in the family soul nourishes us with the necessary, embodied strength to face the challenges of today’s world.

The western trained mind teaches us to see family through a lens of judgement, blame, analysis, and disease, “I thought I worked on that already… I thought I was over it,” that family is a problem to be solved or something to overcome. These thought patterns have developed in a historical context of countries that were formed via separation from family. Yet, the strength of life force that comes from our family and ancestry is always with us, and we can connect to this resource and open our capacity to see our shared roots.

There are things we can do together that cannot, and are not meant to be, done by the individual. Political division, climate change, racism, economic inequality, and other social ills will not be solved by any individual. Believing that doing so is possible feeds overwhelm, disconnection, and isolation. Rather, these challenges can only be undertaken by individuals coming together in groups, and become easier when we can look at them from the place of shared humanity.

Moving forward in a good way requires seeing the inheritances that affect our ideas and our practices about how we are with ourselves and one another. Dismantling the structures that were created out of dehumanizing the “other” requires expanding our capacity for acknowledging the way in which we are in relationship with all that is, without clinging to notions of goodness, innocence, judgement, and exclusion.

With systemic family constellations, ceremony, experiential dialogue, embodied guidance, ancestral prayers, and practical wisdom, you are welcomed to join others in reclaiming our shared humanity at this nature based, weekend retreat.

Guide: Lisa Iversen, MSW, LCSW, founding director of the Center for Ancestral Blueprints (CAB). With support of Family Matters Learning Partners. (Learn more about the Family Matters Learning Program.)

Prerequisites

Experience with systemic family constellations. “Good enough” personal and life stability. Emotional maturity. Practiced in self-care.

If you sense rightness of fit for this gathering, yet are without experience with constellations, Lisa welcomes inquiries for further discernment about participation at register@ancestralblueprints.com.

Location

This 48-hour retreat is held at the Aldermarsh Retreat Center on South Whidbey Island.

From their website: “Aldermarsh is both a beautiful wetlands and a human-created space where community, collaboration and sustainability thrive. Aldermarsh is dedicated to educate and inspire spirit and soul based stewards of the Earth. We host programs and retreats for individuals, groups, and organizations who share our commitment to deeply listen to and steward Earth and human communities in sustainable ways.”

Travel

There are two nearby airports:

  • Paine Field in Mukilteo/Everett, approx. 11 miles (1 hr) south of Whidbey Island
  • Seatac in South Seattle/Tacoma, approx. 50 miles (2 hrs) south of Whidbey Island

Aldermarsh can be reached from the south via I-5 (through Seattle) or I-405 (through Bellevue) to Mukilteo (where Paine Field is), then via ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island (20 minute ride), and from the north via I-5 to WA-20 then WA-525 S to Whidbey Island.

Participants traveling from British Columbia may take BC-99 south, cross the border and continue on I-5 south to WA-20 then WA-525 S to Whidbey Island.

Cost & Lodging

Cost is $575 and includes lodging at the retreat center, nourishing meals, and program fees.

Those lodging off-site may use the discount code “offsite” when registering for a $50 discount. Using this discount means a room will not be arranged for your lodging at the retreat center.

Payment Options

Deposit ($250) or full payment ($575) is required to reserve your place. Participants may pay in full or reserve their place with a deposit via credit card through Eventbrite. Full payments and deposits also accepted via check or cash by contacting host Julie Pigott at juliemae@whidbey.com.

Remaining balances are due at the event unless other arrangements (e.g., payment plans) have been made. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Refund Policy

Deposits may be refunded through September 13, minus a $50 processing fee. After September 13th, there are no refunds, as the remaining $200 is kept to cover the cost of facility reservation.

Payments made in full may be refunded through September 13, minus a $50 processing fee. After September 13th, $200 is kept to cover the cost of facility reservation; the remaining balance may be credited toward another event led by Lisa Iversen.

Inquiries

Please direct inquiries about this event to host Julie Pigott at (360) 632-9390 or juliemae@whidbey.com. After registration, Julie will contact participants with arrangements and details.

Continuing Education Credits

The Center for Ancestral Blueprints provides fifteen (15) Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) in partnership with the NASW Washington State Chapter for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, Licensed Mental Health Counselors for this event. Please send your interest to ceu@ancestralblueprints.com. Note that there is a $25 processing fee for administration of CEUs. Admin fee can be paid with credit card via Paypal or by check. Please specify your preference when emailing at the address above.