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Course Description
"Without judgment, a group of people walk through time to discover there is only one of us here. In an unconditionally supportive environment, unfinished business is completed.
It is said that before we die, our lives pass before us. Not our whole
lives -- just what remains unfinished. For many of us, this means suitcases
full of deeply repressed emotions which we have been unable to express.
Stored for years as energy, they weigh us down and take up space in our
hearts, keeping us separate from each other and from the place inside
from which we can live in love.
As we approach the end of life, years of locked-up grief, rage and fear
erupt like a volcano. The only thing left behind is what we call love.
Why do we wait until the end to open our hearts this way? Why do we carry
this burden so far, so long? Because there are very few places where most
of us feel safe expressing our deepest thoughts. The Passage is such a
place, such an opportunity. What gets released might be a scream, a sob,
or a huge belly laugh -- all without a story, without words.
This is a journey of courage that ends in a greater sense of self, opening
a bigger space for love in your life."
— William Spear
The Passage is an extraordinary five-day residential retreat that invites you to address
what inhibits your experiencing life fully in the present in a safe context
of respect, confidentiality and compassion. The facilitators guide, witness
and support you in facing unresolved issues. You will be encouraged to
work through and beyond the confines of your past, discovering the "observer"
and "self" at work in everyday life, and ultimately experiencing
your life as more about being than doing.
Most of The Passage is experiential. Included are simple yet effective breathing practices
from a variety of traditions; meditation, visualization and facilitated
movement; compelling music to help you experience a wide range of emotions;
and succinct teachings on the healing properties of natural diet.
The Passage is completely non-confrontational and respectful of all religious approaches
and beliefs. Each workshop is limited to 25 participants, and each individual’s
experience is unique. Participants have reported experiencing a powerful
transformation of energies which gave them renewed inner strength and
courage, a profound sense of unconditional love, and a deep appreciation
of the difficult yet wonderful path of personal destiny.
Accommodations
The Passage is offered at locations carefully chosen to provide
safety, comfort and privacy in surroundings of natural beauty. Because
the healing energies of food are integral to the workshop, lovingly prepared
macrobiotic meals are served; fish and non-meat sources of protein are
included. After completing The Passage, it is recommended that
participants take a few more days to allow the effects to "sink in" and
integrate into their lives. Ideally, a minimum-stress environment,
such as the workshop location itself, is best.
Language
The Passage is conducted in English. Translation to/from German,
French and Spanish may be available. Please inquire if this is important
to you. In general, it is recommended that your command of English allow
you to express yourself comfortably, to converse in group exercises, and
to understand instructions.
Participation is subject to approval by the facilitators. Group size is limited. Prospective participants are asked to submit an application form and photograph; registration materials will be sent upon acceptance. To allow time to make travel arrangements, we recommend you submit your application well in advance of the workshop. Family members, significant others and friends may be requested to consider a Passage at a different date and location. To obtain an application, please contact us or apply directly from our web site.
Facilitators
William Spear has facilitated The Passage for hundreds
of people from all walks of life in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom,
Europe and Australia since 1987. His skills are unique, powerful and
ultimately transformational, drawing on years of work in Oriental philosophy and
complementary medicine, in-depth training with the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Center, Tibetan lama Sogyal Rinpoche and others, and three decades of
personal experience with people facing crises in a wide range of situations.
Mr. Spear is an internationally recognized educator, author and lecturer
on macrobiotics, feng shui, health, the environment and personal transformation.
His work includes studies on the effect of the environment on health;
the relationship of diet to disease; care and support of patients dying
of cancer and AIDS; care and support of nuclear survivors, especially
children, in Chelyabinsk, Ukraine; care and support of those affected
in the Balkan conflicts.
Ellen Goldsmith is an acupuncturist, herbalist, Shiatsu practitioner, and accomplished
teacher of Oriental Bodywork and movement therapy. Since 1983 she has
developed educational programs that foster kinesthetic awareness while
giving people the experience and tools they need to make changes in their
lives, including a Wellness Program and series of AIDS educational programs
for undergraduate students at New York University’s Tisch School
of the Arts. Her training includes movement therapy, performance, and
meditation; she holds a Masters’ Degree in Oriental Medicine from
the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Department of Classical
Chinese Medicine.
Claudia Kirchmayr
is a gifted vocalist, performing artist and Shiatsu practitioner who has
worked with healing centers in Europe and performed with many international
artists and musicians. Since 1987 she has led song circles and supported
people in recovering their original voice and expression as a means of
expanding their life. She divides her time between Hawaii, the US mainland
and Europe, where she conducts workshops and assists individuals facing
life-threatening illnesses. She has been part of The Passage staff
since 1988.
Lucila Valente
was originally trained as an anthropologist and sociologist and worked
for years researching folk medicine, traditional healers, and folk religions
in northern Spain and West Africa. She later trained as a Gestalt therapist
and Oriental Bodyworker, and currently practices bodywork (Shiatsu, craniosacral
work) and Gestalt therapy in Geneva. As part of her practice she works
with people with AIDS, giving support and treatments as well as teaching
massage in collaboration with Swiss health-care associations.
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