Retreats

Misty morning at The Restory

Stepping out of our normal day to day life and responsibilities to isolate ourselves for a time  restores energy and gives renewed balance in life. New perspectives arise by reconnecting to our inner selves through practices such as gentle exercise, rest, meditation and contemplation. Being in an environment dedicated to provide the necessary support and guidance can be of immeasurable value in bringing meaning to life. The mindfulness practices introduced at a retreat center can and should be continued in normal day to day life. Living with this newly acquired awareness change our lives.

The Restory Retreats:

We offer a range of guided and self retreats, held mostly at The Restory on Tafelkop Farm, but also elsewhere and in collaboration with partners who share our vision. It is possible for us to travel and lead retreats wherever there is a need. The venue for each retreat type is highlighted under each type. ( Or go to Locality.)
Spiritual direction is provided by George and Matilda Angus who are qualified and experienced directors. (See Meet us)

Time out to simply be

Quiet days
Day visits to become quiet and centered in a safe and beautiful environment can be arranged for people who do not have the need to stay over. These days can be guided or unstructured as required. Rates are adjusted accordingly, also as to meal requirements.
Contact us to book a private quiet day or join our Facebook and Substack pages for info about our monthly WIld Sanctuary get-togethers. 
Find us at Locality.

Silent Retreat
At this retreat the value of silence in helping us gain new balance and focus in life is explored over one weekend in a gentle introduction to the age-old traditions of monasteries of many spiritual disciplines.
This retreat is done in a group context but also see Self Retreat further down for custom made retreats. 
A detailed program will be supplied on request or when making a booking. (Contact us)
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details.
Find us at Locality.

There are times when you may be faced with big decisions, unexpected life changes or you may simply have the need for peace and quiet in order to gather yourself to face the challenges of life. Private retreats are customised to meet your needs. Spiritual direction on these retreats, whether fasting, quiet or guided, offers one a temporary withdrawal from life, and is highly recommended to assist in the discerning process. This is provided but other than that the retreat is unstructured and slow paced. Take a walk in the beautiful area, stroll through the orchard and garden (even do some weeding if you feel like it), read, sleep, meditate or engage in some creative activity like trying your hand at clay, drawing or painting.
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details.             
Find us at Locality.

Mindfulness Retreat (Entry Level)
The aim of the Mindfulness retreat is to explore ways to get to the “more” our souls yearn for. For us, the key lies in living with awareness or to coin the popular term; to live mindfully.
Simply put this means to not live on “auto pilot” or as if you are sleepwalking. To become fully alive and to experience the present moment to the full. More than that: To experience the moment without judging it. Allowing it to be simply what it is. This sounds nonsensical to the rational, modern brain but it is paramount if it is a meaningful life you’re after.
Read more about this retreat on the dedicated page: Mindfulness Retreats.
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details.
Find us at Locality.

Mindfulness in the City Retreat (Entry Level)
When thinking of a retreat, images of retreat centres, nature, silence and even isolation, arise spontaneously. Although it is necessary to have this respite from the hustle and bustle of life in towns and cities, for many it may not be possible to attend a retreat at a remote location. Hectic schedules and unending demands cause havoc to our inner peace, resulting in a feeling of meaninglessness.   
To this purpose, the City retreat was developed which follows a parallel program to our Mindfulness Retreat at The Restory. 
For more info go to the dedicated page: Mindfulness in the City Retreat. 
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details.

Creativity Retreat (Endless Possibilities)

Clay play during the Creativity retreat

"Creativity is being a unique open channel for the free-flow of endless possibilities."                                                            -   George and Matilda Angus

The Creativity retreat was developed to remove the obstacles that are blocking the way between you and endless possibilities. 
You will discover in the course of a weekend in a playful and carefree manner what your inner child (your soul, your essence) needs to feel alive. Through basic mindfulness techniques you learn how to be the unique channel for that which God dreams for you. (A clue at this point: those activities that make you totally oblivious of time and place while you’re busy doing it; that which you enjoyed doing as a child; or that which you will regard as too good to be true if you could do it all day long…. Start dreaming!)
For more info go to the dedicated page: Creativity Retreat.
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details.  
Find us at Locality.

Contemplative Photography Retreat

Grass. Contemplative photography by Hanna Jacobs.
Shown with permission. 

Contemplative photography is not a genre as is, for example, Macro or Nature photography. It has nothing to do with having the right lens or the best camera, but everything to do with the interaction of our inner being with the object in the viewfinder. Using the camera lens as an extension of our inner seeing, contemplative photography focuses attention and holds our awareness, making it an exercise in mindfulness. It has been our experience that the crisp light and natural setting we find ourselves in at The Restory, cause visitors to reach spontaneously for their cameras and lose themselves to the setting sun or a minuscule veld flower.
Retreatants may use any type of camera, as long as the images can be downloaded onto a computer. No previous photography experience is needed as it is not as much about technique as about experiencing the moment through the lens.

Pottery Retreat 

Mindful pinching

To come home to ourselves seldom happens in our busy lives. 
It takes slowing down. It takes silence and beauty and a busyness without a “why”- play and creative expression. It takes allowing ourselves to simply be.With this retreat the focus will be on exploring the medium of clay as a mindful and restorative spiritual practice in an inspiring milieu at The Restory Retreat Centre.
The program runs over 4 nights and 3 full days and includes:
·        meditative practices involving walks, yoga, clay and stone balancing
·        tuition in hand building techniques
·        practical clay working sessions
·        free time to explore/rest/pot
·        nature outings
·        good food
·        all materials and firing
The retreat will be facilitated by full time potters, Matilda Angus and Eylene Clifford. We are a mother and daughter team who not only shares a passion for pottery but also for the journey to self-actualization. Our love for clay is contagious and shows no sign of lessening in fervour after decades.
Rates and availability are at Rates and Contact details
Find us at Locality

If you feel drawn to attend any of the retreats but are not in a financial position to do so, please Contact us to make an arrangement.