The Way Back Home - Introduction to Tantra for Men & Women, Couples & Singles
Date: 2012 to be annouced
Venue: Western Cape
Facilitators: Ma Anand Leandra, Justin-Dean Brown (JD)
Although we are living in the age of sexual liberation, it is rare to find people enjoying a fulfilling sexuality. We have been led to believe that spirituality and sexuality are divided, and struggle to find meaning in our sexuality. The sexual revolution of the sixties has in fact, led to marketing life's most intimate moments, resulting in floods of images that appear to have liberated us from conventional norms but in fact, have simply created a new cliché. The result is intimacy that is not uplifting and lacking in real joy or any form of spirituality and the fulfilment of our hearts' desires remains elusive. Over and above this, many adults are burdened with sexually repressive conditioning from childhood, education, religion and politics. "You are searching for omething without understanding that it is within you. Search within. This is a direct approach."
Swami Rama
Whether we live in a relationship, alone or in varying relationships, our lives seem so often to be accompanied by loneliness and a lack of love. Most individuals seem to be longing for an affirmation of self in a partner, while yearning for vitality and a form of sexuality that affirms the unity of body and soul.
Tantra shows us the way back home. Despite the fact that this spiritual path is thousands of years old, it presents us with a very real possibility to transcend these difficulties arising from this very modern situation. Tantra cultivates, deepens and spiritualises human nature without presenting it as imperfect or repressing any aspect of it.
This retreat offers men and women tools to learn open-hearted, accepting connections, a more conscious sensuality and a vibrant sexually, resulting in a more fulfilling lifestyle of living in communion and union with ourselves and with others. We do this through a variety of enjoyable exercises that will assist in melting down conditioning that inhibits your natural flow of joy, acceptance and love, enabling you to connect with more inner freedom, more honestly and integrity and more deeply with the opposite gender.
We create a safe, loving and joyful environment to begin, or set forth, your personal healing, and the inner growth to be the man or the woman you are, embracing your opposite, embracing the other in a more whole heartedly way. Our emphasis is to create a blissful weekend with lots of laughter and fun.
More information: please read Leandra's article, The Way Home - Relationships and Sexuality, A Tantric Perspective, which was published in Odyssey Magazine in August 2010. Click on link to read.
"I say, ye human beings, among all the species on the earth, you are the greatest. You are the greatest for you can change your destiny, you can build your destiny, you can enlighten yourself."
Swami Rama
Our Methods
- We work with a variety of experiential exercises, tantric rituals, body work, role play and art therapy methods.
- We aim to raise your awareness of what it means to be a man or a woman and to connect with self and others.
- All of the work is of a playful, enjoyable nature - we love to laugh and promise to get you all to laugh too!
- Some work is done in pairs of men & women, some in the group as a whole without a specific partner; one
segment will be done in two separate male & female groups prior to reuniting with the group as a whole.
- We also work out of doors for certain exercises.
- Information on Tantra is offered in the form of short lectures.
- In all our retreats, the Saturday evening is devoted to a special tantric ritual.
- There is no explicit nudity or intimacy in this introductory group.
- Our work is professional and respectful. We create a safe atmosphere of acceptance, trust and enjoyment.
Group size, group makeup & prior experience
- We intend to work with 10 - 18 participants, single men and women as well as couples. We ensure equal numbers of men and women.
- You do not need to be in a relationship to participate in this group, you can come on your own or with a friend.
- Couples can choose to work with each other throughout the weekend, or to mix and match with others for some exercises.
- No prior experience is necessary in either art / art therapy or tantra. We offer enjoyable, easy work that everyone can do and benefit from.
- All we ask is that you come with an openness to experience something new and in so doing discover the wonderful path of Tantra.
Venue
Zebra Moon, Greyton, Overberg Region, Western Cape. This is in the middle of the beautiful Fynbos area, surrounded by mountains. Some of our work is done outdoors, so that you will have time to enjoy the fynbos and open air. Website: http://www.zebramoon.co.za/.
The retreat is all inclusive and includes all meals and teas. Accommodation is shared. Single accommodation is possible on request.
Schedule
We start with supper on Friday at 7pm and end after lunch on Sunday at 1pm. Departures from 2pm.
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 19:00 - 20:00: supper 20:00 - 22:00: Working Session I |
8:00 - 9:00: Meditation / Yoga / Body Awareness exercises 9:00 - 10:00: Breakfast 10:00 - 13:00: Working Session II 13:00 - 15:30: Lunch Break 15:30 - 18:00: Working Session III 18:30 - 20:00: Supper Break 20:00 - 23:00: Working Session IV |
8:30 - 9:00: Meditation / Yoga / Body Awareness exercises 9:00 - 10:00: Breakfast 10:00 - 13:00: Working Session V 13:00 - 13:30: Lunch 13:30 - 14:00: Departures |
Cost
The total cost of the retreat is made up of the facilitation fee + the venue costs.
Facilitation Fee: Sliding Scale - R 1200 to R 1700 per person
The facilitation fee is on a sliding scale basis. This gives you the possibility of choosing a price suitable to your pocket and in relation to what the retreat is worth to you. Please choose honestly and consider what else you spend your money on. Sometimes it is necessary to prioritise and save on something not lasting (like a new outfit), in order to participate in a retreat which will inspire you and have a lasting, positive effect on your life and your relationships.
Everyone gets the complete retreat, irrespective of what they choose to pay.
Venue Fee: R 900 per person
Included in the venue fee are 2 nights accommodation in shared rooms and all meals. Meals are vegetarian with additional chicken / fish for non-vegetarians.
Total fee: R 2100 - R 2600 per person.
This depends on what you choose to pay for the facilitation based on the sliding scale.
Payment
Venue fee: due on registration. This is non-refundable, unless you are able to provide a substitute participant or we can provide a substiute from a waiting list. Facilitation fee: due on 1st April (2 weeks before the retreat). Refunds after this date are subject to either you or us providing a substitute participant to take your place.
Bookings
Email Leandra: leandra@durgatantraschool.co.za and request the registration form.
If you would like a personal chat for more information, please email your request and Leandra will set up a time for a phone chat.
Facilitators
Leandra is a well experienced Tantra Coach and director of the Durga Tantra School. She is also a German qualified tantric massage specialist and offers Tantra Sacred Massage sessions in Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Durban South Coast. She is qualified in Psychoanalytic Art Therapy and has over 30 years of experience working with individuals and facilitating therapy and human growth groups. For information please click on name.
Justin-Dean Brown (JD) is a sexual wellness coach, tantric massage practitioner with Tantra Sacred Massage and has his own practice Thurizas Cobra. He developed the unique Cobra Blend massage and is very successful journying with men and women usin all his skills. Click on name for for information
Photos of past Durga Tantra School retreats
To view photos of past retreats, please go to the photos page in the index under Booking Schedule or click here...