Shadow Retreat Developing Consciousness

The Shadow is that which is unknown to our conscious minds. It is natural and universal, capable of creation and destruction. Working with your Shadow is as much about getting to know the light in yourself as it is about coming to understand the dark. We think it is the most important, transformative work of our time for leaders.  Why? Because the world needs breakthrough leadership now, leadership that is integral, leadership that can work with dynamic change, across boundaries and respond rapidly from a place of considered wisdom without creating destructive chaos. This is Integral leadership, beyond the Reactive. Shadow work includes, yet transcends even, the Creative Competencies of Leadership. It is ‘Next Gen’ leadership based on the development of your personal consciousness. 

This will be the last Shadow Retreat for leaders that will be personally led by Mary Dwyer, the retreat’s creator.

December 2020 | Stewarts Bay, Tasmania

 

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Every shadow no matter how deep is threatened by morning light

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About the Retreat

Initially this might sound a little daunting, even scary, however, this retreat is a deeply nurturing process. You will be gently guided through a carefully structured, yet free form process to support you taking a leap into wholehearted living, through your own Shadow.

The Shadow is disowned parts of ourselves we have little awareness of. Often we are shown glimpses of our shadow when we are triggered by another person – when this happens, we are projecting ourselves onto another and disowning aspects of ourselves we do not know are there or do not want to look at. We learned to do this in childhood to get love and acceptance. The less awareness we have of our Shadow tendencies the more we will project them onto other people. 

What’s more, your Shadow, often hidden from one’s self, is often obvious to others… painfully so, at times. This is a serious impediment to effective leadership and what’s more, as a leader, you might not even be aware.

Our blind spots/Shadow tendencies are simply that which we cannot see, but we will often see in others. Our blind spots live in our Shadow. They often prevent us from reaching the connection, success and relationships we desire.

Working with the Shadow is as much about getting to know the light in yourself as it is about coming to understand the dark. The Shadow itself is not what causes harm — rather, it is our refusal to acknowledge the Shadow that leads to destructive behaviour. What we hide from ourselves gains inordinate power to shape our lives in ways we do not see or understand. The only solution is to bring the Shadow to light and awareness. Then we can understand the hidden forces at play in ourselves, in others, and in the world.

By its very nature, your shadow does not want to be revealed. This Shadow Retreat is one that will guide you through the process of illuminating the unconscious forces that drive your life. Both the good and the not so good. Once illuminated, you can engage the power of choice to heal and transform both yourself and the world. The nature of Shadow is a behaviour that once might have served you well but, as you grow and develop, so will your Shadow. 

Once revealed, once let into the light, a Shadow cannot stay its course. It has to change… The illumination of bringing the Shadow out of the unconscious and into consciousness, by its very nature, transforms the Shadow into light. A freedom of creativity is often released. A lightness. A new sense of possibility.

Working with the Shadow is perhaps the most vitally important work of our time. If you are reading this then that in itself means that you are ready for it. You will be loved and nurtured, and any sharing is optional. You will not be judged instead you will be held and guided and lead to choice.

The work is solid.
The journey is inward.

Unless we do conscious work on it, the shadow is almost always projected: that is, it is neatly laid on someone or something else so we do not have to take responsibility for it.

robert johnson

Benefits and What to Expect

Benefits of Shadow Work:

Deeper, more connected relationships with self and others

Clearer, more effective communication

Greater self-acceptance, compassion, and awareness

Greater creativity 

Greater capacity for effective leadership

Relinquish destructive behaviours

Increased personal power, integrity and efficacy

Increased courageous authenticity

 

What to expect from our Retreat:

You will be loved and nurtured 

This is a time for deep reflection

 You will learn to harvest and integrate your shadow

You will be guided to choice

You will let go, to let come

Event Details

WHEN:

Please note that this event is now full. There is now a wait list and we would love you to join us on that wait list. If we get enough interest this retreat will be run again so you expression of interest is very important. To go onto the wait list, and we will work with you on dates, please email Mary on [email protected] and write in your email title: Wait list. Shadow Retreat: Raising Consciousness. Thanks so much. 

Friday 4 December 4pm start including an evening process
Saturday 5 December All day including an evening process
Sunday 6 December 9am – 4pm

VENUE & ACCOMMODATION: Stewarts Bay Lodge, Tasmania

This event will be COVID-19 safe.

INVESTMENT: Gold or Diamond tickets are available. Please see below for all inclusions.

Payment plans are available and we welcome your inquiry.
Professional Development receipts (for taxation purposes) will be issued.

Your Facilitators

Mary Dwyer, the retreat facilitator, brings light to shadow in a gentle yet thorough way. It is not just her study that has helped her design this process. Last year, her own shadow and that of a much-loved mentor caused a big undoing; a rupture in her own life. It was a personally painful leadership journey. After the rupture, Mary embarked on a deeply personal and thorough shadow journey. Process after process helped Mary reveal her own shadow to herself. Both the shadow that lived in the darkness and her golden shadow. And now she has carefully crafted a special Shadow retreat, so you have the opportunity to uncover your own shadow for the sole (or soul) purpose of taking another giant leap into a wholehearted and integral life.

Over the past 25 years, Mary C Dwyer has been working with leaders nationally and internationally. Leaders at the highest levels of office, across a multitude of sectors. A modern leader who advocates new ideas based on a balance of kindness and strength. Mary Dwyer is CEO of Impact Solutions International, specialising in Executive leadership development, conflict transformation and prevention with global, organisational and community experience. Over the past 10 years, Mary has worked in 16 different countries with people from 44 different nationalities. On the Myers Briggs Mary is an INTJ. INTJ’s make-up 2% of the population and are known as extraordinary problem solvers & practical futurists able to understand complex problems.

 Mary will be joined by a team of her personally trained Master Facilitators. This means that you will receive highly personalised support, if you want it, from Amy Currant, Sona Lewincamp and Gwen Pinnington. If you would like to learn more about these women, please click below. 

Unless we do conscious work on it, the shadow is almost always projected: that is, it is neatly laid on someone or something else so we do not have to take responsibility for it.

robert johnson

Testimonials

This work will change the way the patterns of trauma and ignorance are played out across our communities and world.

Ben Rea – 2019

…A profoundly transformative weekend that will allow you to uncover, process and release any aspect of your past or present that is standing in the way of your natural ability to shine as a leader or healer. You can go as deep as you wish, knowing that you are in expert hands.

Sue Tsigaros – 2019

The level of skill, wisdom, grace, and quality that ISI delivered in this program was well beyond any others in the market.

Participant – 2019

Call Mary

0417 369 506