Well, its been a long time since I updated the site…since The Lost Word retreat actually.  2 reasons – one, I was so overwhelmed by how powerful it was (even for me as the one who set it up!) that I didn’t know WHAT to say about it!  I didn’t know where to start!  And secondly, everyone else was in the same speechless space, so no one had completed my feedback forms since they didn’t know what to write either.

I’ve now got a few in, and since I’m adding new events for this year, it’s appropriate to say something about That Week. Sadly, I don’t have many pictures from the week as my lovely lady had taken our camera on holiday with her.

7 of us descended onto the beautiful house on the edge of a hill overlooking Brotherswater in the Lake District.  After that, magic took over and carried us all through a journey of unspeakable experiences, depth, complexity and power on so many levels that none could be isolated without taking away from the subtle power of what actually happened.

Funnily, this IS exactly what I said about the Lost Word work and its pervasiveness and inclusiveness beforehand (if you’ll remember the mailer I sent, I intentionally didn’t want to tell you anything for exactly that reason!).  However, that being said, even I was swept off my feet by the clarity and acuity with which the very fabric and substance of the world, on all its levels, created perfect situations, demonstrations and examples for me to make the points I needed to make, and for those points to be made in a way which was specific and relevant to the people there.

It was grounded, practical, everyday and yet was intelligently, coherently and powerfully spiritual at the same time.  I could go on, but then, that’s just my word for it,   Here are what some of the others had to say (these are unedited from feedback forms):

As some of us search for meaning and validity from perhaps more exotic forms of meditation and guidance in ways of living our lives, the Lost Word is a call to home, a revelation that we already know everything we need to, and a celebration that everyone the world over is unified in this one respect.

From Adam, London:

Going on your retreats and seeing your workshops has been a phenomenal experience, completely life-changing and has caused a shift in my perception that is incredibly profound.

Darren is an incredibly talented, skilful teacher who seems to intuitively understand how to communicate ideas clearly, simply and in an interesting way. The attitude and understanding with which he approached the workshops was a lesson in itself and a truly inspiring demonstration of the power of his work.

The honest and open way the retreat was run meant the group formed a strong bond – there seemed to be no teacher/student relationship – instead it felt like we were all on a journey, all learning and growing together. It was truly wonderful and unlike anything else i have ever experienced..

Thank you so much for this truly wonderful experience. I do not feel as though you taught me, rather that you cleared away the cobwebs and allowed me to see the what was already there and always has been. I feel renewed and alive and ready to face life as the mysterious and wonderful adventure it really is.

I can only say that Darren’s work is unlike anything i have ever experienced before and i would recommend anyone and everyone to take part – your ideas about the world will change it forever.

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I extend my heartfelt thanks to Steve and to Adam for such considered responses.  So, of course, I am running the retreat again – improved due to the first round experiences, of course, and in a new venue….

For 2009, the Lost Word Retreat is returning to my roots…to a little island off the NorthWest coast of Scotland. It’s been a nature reserve for almost 50 years and I had the blessing and the gift of spending a lot of time there in my very early years.  We will be descending on the beautifully raw and magical Island of Rum, and with the stunning Kinloch Castle as our main residence for accommodation, the retreat promises to be magical in  numerous ways. For more information, read about the Lost Word Retreat 2009 here.