Embers of the Soul
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another"
Proverbs 27:17
Embers of the Soul
Initiating deep awakening in men
Embers of the Soul is a multi-day retreat for men who feel the call to wake up, reconnect, and step into a deeper, more responsible way of living. It is a journey into the father wound, the mother wound, the masculine and the feminine, and the parts of ourselves we often avoid. The retreat brings together movement, breath, ritual, nature, inquiry, and brotherhood to form a powerful container for change.
The focus is simple: awakening. We look at what keeps us small, what blocks clarity, and what distracts us from living with purpose. Limiting beliefs, old conditioning, lack of focus, fragmented attention, and the absence of real guidance are explored directly. Inspired by the idea that mature love is action and intention, the retreat asks what actions and intentions we hold for ourselves, our relationships, and the world.
What the retreat works with
Men explore how they were taught to be men, where they give their power away, and how early experiences shape their adult lives. Vulnerability is reframed as strength. Wounds and shadows are treated not as faults but as gateways to purpose and clarity. The retreat asks what the world needs from its men now, and how mission, responsibility, and embodiment arise when men return to themselves.
Why join this retreat
Spending time with a group of committed men builds backbone, presence, and accountability. It creates a masculine container where honesty, directness, and support are normal. The environment is safe, grounded, and free from performance. Men can relax, regulate, and be fully themselves. Reconnection with nature supports this process and brings men back to a sense of belonging that cannot be replaced by relationships, substances, or distractions.
The arc of the retreat
Unconscious dependency → Conscious, embodied sovereignty
The retreat helps men step out of automatic roles and patterns and into mature integrated masculinity.
Arrival on Thursday
We open the circle, form agreements, meet one another, and set the container. A fire ritual marks the beginning. Men name why they are here and what is at stake.
Father Friday
Movement, breath, presence, and polarity form the foundation of the day. We look deeply at conditioning, power, boundaries, and sovereignty. The father wound is explored through sharing, gestalt processes, ritual, and time alone in nature. Men connect with the inner father and the essence of their masculinity. We end with evening circling and deep presence practice around the fire.
Mother Morning
This day works with the roots of intimacy. Men explore the patterns carried from their mothers, how unmet needs shape adult relationships, and how they relate to the feminine. Practices include direct dialogue with the mother image, cutting the cord, asking for help, and learning to stand in sovereignty. Nature practices deepen the connection to earth, receptivity, and presence. We end this day with an evening fire with poems, stories, and vision preparation.
Integration Sunday
Through breathing, reflection, writing, and collective support, men clarify their vision. They explore who they want to be as partners, fathers, leaders, and members of their communities. Each man defines his next steps and receives accountability from the group. The retreat ends with a closing circle around the fire.
What you will explore
Awakening as intention
What blocks clarity, focus, discipline, and purpose.
Masculinity as nature
How conditioning, fear, and old beliefs shape adult life.
The father wound
Power, sovereignty, boundaries, and the inner father.
The mother wound
Intimacy, needs, patterns in relationships, and grounded sovereignty.
Embodiment and polarity
Movement, breath, grounding, and presence.
Vision and responsibility
Who you want to be as a man, partner, father, and leader.
What you bring
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A small sacred object
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A photo of yourself as a boy
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A photo of your mother
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A photo of your father
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Tent, sleeping bag, warm clothes
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Plate, mug, utensils
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Water bottle
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Waterproofs or poncho
What we bring
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Food, hot drinks, and water
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Guidance, structure, movement, and breathwork sessions
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A held container for deep work
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Nature-based practices and evening fires
Venue
The venue will be in the surroundings of London and will be wild and natural.
Details will be shared after booking.
Meet the Facilitators
Alex and Dirk are two embodied practitioners passionate about their work in the field of growth of integrated masculinity, masculine compassion, and surrendered leadership
What does the retreat look like
THURSDAY – Arrival and Opening
Arrival, settling, agreements, and creating the container.
Circling, presence practices, fire ritual, naming intentions, meeting fears, and connecting with the Wild Man archetype.
FRIDAY – Father Day
Morning movement and polarity work.
Exploration of masculinity, conditioning, boundaries, and sovereignty.
Father wound work: sharing, gestalt processes, impact statements, and receiving the inner father.
Nature time with a tree, fire ritual, evening circling, and deep presence practices.
SATURDAY – Mother Day
Movement, breath, eye contact, and presence.
Mother wound exploration: dialogue with mother, unmet needs, manipulation patterns, overstepping boundaries.
Cord-cutting ritual, silent lunch, nature connection, forest bathing.
Exploration of needs, asking for help, brotherhood exercises, surrendered space, and evening fire with poems and stories.
SUNDAY – Integration and Vision
Movement, connected breathwork, and collective support.
Vision writing and clarity practices.
Presence and responsibility: owning choices, staying centred.
Open space “cock talk.”
Vision sharing, feedback, accountability, and buddy commitments.
Closing fire circle and final ritual.
