The Restory Retreat Centre

Burden or Blessed? The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music The quote by Alasdair MacIntyre states: “Acknowledgment of dependence is the key to independence.” This is an important concept for us. We often assume that we are only truly free or successful when we need no one—as if we ought to be able to handle everything ourselves and meet all our own needs. But perhaps something different happens when we begin to acknowledge our dependence. We might then discover a deeper kind of freedom—the freedom to receive, to trust others, and to stop trying to carry everything alone. The following song, “Nothing but Everything” by Jon & Roy, speaks to that shift. It is about surrender—entrusting yourself to love and connection. It is also about discovering that you do not necessarily end up with less when you stop trying to control everything yourself. You might just discover what truly matters. Feel free to listen to it as a form of meditation on dependence, belonging, and grace...

  5 Months In Gradually our eyes are learning the contours of our place . This is our business, here at The Restory: building fires. However, on our own we can't gather enough wood. The Conversation  Elements From The Conversation  Music By two things my life has been made more livable for me: the love I have given  and the love I have received. C.J Langenhoven                                With our love. And deep gratitude for the love we receive. George & Matilda 

  Meanwhile This week, we just didn't get to the recording of a conversation. From morning to evening, every day, we were moving. Every now and then we were asking ourselves: why do we still have so much stuff? Shouldn't we just throw out all the books?  And silence all those voices that are part of the conversation? And how many retreatants have stood in front of the shelves, just to find the right book at the right time? No, we can't.  Rather close the pottery studio? In any case, it will take a few months to get it up and running at Tafelkop.  However, that is the space where I, Matilda, express myself and where a growing number of people live out their creativity during workshops. It is also a very important spiritual aid. No, it has to stay. Get rid of all my, George's, machines in the workshop?  We have indeed sold the large engineering machines. That phase in George's life is over and it will also help with funds during this transitioning period. But the ...

  Supporting The Restory   “Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help.”                                                                                          Matthew 10:41  (The Message)   The work of The Restory is done for the people, but also through the people. We envisage it to be more so in the years to come. If we want to bring about a change in consciousness, that will alter the way we see ourselves and the world as well as the way we live, the talents, gifts and support of people are needed. The Restory is not sustained by any large institution, foundation, or corporation. From the beginning, we have done the work mainly through generating our own sources of income – restoration projects, markets, pottery workshops, o...