Frequently Asked Questions about the Meditation Secrets for Women Retreat
~ What kind of meditation do you teach? Why do women need their own approach?
~ Do I have to be an experienced meditator to come on the retreat?
~ What kind of movement is it?
~ Do I have to read the whole book in advance?
~ What is the schedule for the retreat?
~ What should I bring to the retreat?
What kind of meditation do you teach? Why do women need their own approach?
This approach to meditation is especially designed for women's bodies and psyches. If this sounds revolutionary, that's because it is. However, it's the most natural thing in the world – and absolutely essential for any woman who wants to be healthy and thrive in her practice. In fact, when Lorin and I were writing the book, we asked, "What helps women to thrive in meditation, and in life?" These teachings are put forth in our book, Meditation Secrets for Women.
We had to take this on because most meditation traditions were created by and for men – men in feudal monasteries, at that – who over the centuries never asked what women need. Sorry to bust the bubble, but think about it: What do celibate monks from foreign cultures know about what suits contemporary Western women – women with busy lives, engaged in the world and going for it in their work and relationships? Hence the purist ideals and hidden assumptions underlying the traditional forms of meditation are repressive, fragmenting, and often quite toxic to women, especially over the long run. Lorin and I have worked with many "spiritual casualties" – people who have actually been harmed by these anti-life notions. Each of their stories of pain and healing, and our own, have taught us what people really need.
That being said, many of the practices we teach, such as breath awareness, are found in the traditional forms of meditation. Meditators from all paths are welcome, and we can use your previous experience and allow it to evolve. It is important, however, to name and dispel the controlling attitudes toward the body, thoughts, and emotions that are rampant in male, hierarchical spirituality. Learn how to accept all your energies and ride them deeper into the stream of life and love.
Lorin and I call this body of work "Instinctive Meditation", because it honor and builds upon the innate wisdom residing within you. It is based upon our combined experience of 70 years (holy moly!) teaching meditation and integrative energy practices to people in all walks of life. My own meditation background includes Transcendental Meditation, Yoga, Esoteric Studies, Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, and Continuum – balanced, enriched, and made earthy by my training in dance and theater, bodywork, Jungian depth psychology, and years of professional experience as a practitioner of hands-on healing energy work. I am grateful to all these teachings, which unite alchemically to create a transformative, innovative, and adaptable way of recognizing and supporting people in their individual essence. This is an ever-evolving process inspired by every person and group I have the privilege of facilitating.
Read more: Introduction to the book, Meditation Secrets for Women, by Camille Maurine and Lorin Roche, Ph.D.
More about Instinctive Meditation on Lorin's site.
Do I have to be an experienced meditator to come on the retreat?
No. Both beginners and those who have meditated for decades will find new and deeper ways to meditate. From working with thousands of women over the past 30 years, I have seen that women are natural meditators but often do not know how to trust and follow those clues. Because most traditions are male-based, women generally need a lot of support for evolving their own healthy path – one that works with all the feminine energies and instincts. I will help guide you to find practices that you love and that work for you, according to what is going on in your body, in your heart, in your life. You will discover how to heal and nourish yourself, how to draw on your inner natural resources so that you can meet all the challenges you face with courage and grace. You will learn how to set yourself free in both your inner and outer world, how to liberate your energy and experience more joy, love, and creativity.
What kind of movement is it?
Movement is one of the most direct ways to experience yourself and integrate energy. When we move, we can feel part of the larger movement of the cosmos, or what I call the Body of Love. We will explore several different levels of movement awareness – a combination of movement meditation (as in Continuum), sensual organic flow, and dynamic expression. It is always from the inside out – according to what feels good to you – very gentle, pleasurable, and fluid, not forced. You will be amazed at how easy and natural it feels - and how powerful and liberating. For those who love to move to dance, you will be in rapture. For those who have never worked with movement before, I will guide you to find that movement for yourself. And of course, I will be there with you for any questions and concerns.
Do I have to read the whole book in advance?
What we do in the retreat is based on the material in the book, which is very inclusive. It is good to be somewhat familiar with the approach in advance. However, I always gear what we do to each woman there – where she is in her practice and her life. Read what you can before the retreat and bring the book with you. Meditation Secrets for Women is designed to be user-friendly, and is full of stories and helpful tips as well as a wealth of meditations to match whatever is going on with you each day. Some women like to read sequentially; others like to poke around at random in the book, open it up like an oracle before they meditate, or look in the Table of Contents and choose which Secret calls to them. Please do not make reading an onerous task! Enjoy, experiment, follow what appeals to you!
What is the schedule for the retreat?
The schedule is approximately as follows, subject to fine-tuning:
Friday: Arrive between 2 and 5 pm to get settled in. Dinner at 6 pm.
First meeting Friday evening, 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Saturday
Breakfast 8 to 9:30 am.
Morning session: 9:30 to noon.
Lunch.
Afternoon session: 3 to 5:30.
Dinner 6 pm.
Evening session: 7:30 to 10 pm.
Sunday
Breakfast 8 to 9:30 am.
Morning session: 9:30 to 1pm.
Lunch. Goodbyes to those who cannot stay.
Afternoon free.
Dinner 6 pm.
Evening session: 7:30 to 10pm.
Monday
Breakfast 8 to 9:30 am.
Morning session: 9:30 to noon.
Lunch.
Afternoon session: 3 to 5:30.
Dinner 6 pm.
Evening session: 7:30 to 10 pm.
Tuesday
Breakfast 8 to 9:30 am.
Morning session: 9:30 to noon.
Lunch.
Afternoon session: 3 to 5:30.
Dinner 6 pm.
Evening session: 7:30 to 10 pm.
Wednesday
Morning session: 9:30 to 1pm.
Lunch. Goodbyes.
In general, while I have a plan for the unfolding of the the workshop, I modify and improvise according to who is there and what is going on with each woman. I will be also be available for a few days afterwards for private sessions.
~ What should I bring to the retreat?
Bring a journal and your personal copy of the book, Meditation Secrets for Women, by Camille Maurine and Lorin Roche, Ph.D. You will want to wear relaxed, comfortable clothes such as you might for dance, yoga, or just lounging around - nothing binding - so that you can move and breathe and play freely. Good walking shoes for enjoying the grounds, plus indoor slippers or flip-flops for the Lodge. It will be the height of summer and gorgeous, but it might rain, so you may want an umbrella or waterproof jacket, etc. We recommend that you have a shawl or blanket that you can wrap in and lie on as desired. Be thinking of a ritual object you might like to bring for our shared altar, such as a photo or symbolic object - this will get you musing about what you'd like to explore during the retreat. We will be sending you a more detailed list of information and suggestions as we get closer to the time.
For more information, contact Camille.