A More Beautiful World: Unshakeable Presence

An Embodied Response to the Big Emotions in our Personal, Social and Ecological Crisis.

A Collaborative Residential Retreat

When & Where

Dates: Friday, May 29 at 4pm – Monday, June 1 at 2 pm, 2026 (Long Weekend)

Venue: Braziers Park, Oxfordshire

The Invitation

In times of rising authoritarianism, deepening divisions, and ecological breakdown, we need pockets of meaning and safety from which to respond with courage and clarity. This residential gathering offers a space to meet the crises of our time, both inner and outer, with embodied presence, skillful communication, and collective wisdom.

Drawing on Nonviolent Communication, Focusing, Eco-Somatics, and embodied relational practice, four experienced facilitators invite you into a weekend of quickening, that energetic aliveness that emerges when people gather physically to dream and act toward a more beautiful world.

What We’ll Explore Together

Core Themes

Working with Big Emotions

• Research shows that capacity to navigate strong feelings (anger, anxiety, grief, hope) enables sustained engagement with climate and social issues
• Learn embodied practices for transforming overwhelm into agency
• Move from paralysis to presence, from despair to grounded action

Bridging Inner & Outer Divides

• The conflicts “out there” often mirror divisions within ourselves
• Explore how internal integration enables external effectiveness
• Practice meeting opposing views, in ourselves and others, with curiosity and courage

Embodied Connection to the Living World

• Eco-somatic practices recognizing our interconnection with all life
• Felt-sense awareness and movement as pathways to ecological consciousness
• Interspecies communication and resonant connection

Communication Across Difference

• NVC tools for navigating conflict in activist spaces and communities
• Inspired by models like Braver Angels (bringing opposing perspectives into dialogue)
• Skills for staying true to values while remaining open to others

Dream & Vision

• Keeping idealism alive while being realistic about challenges
• Creating refuge and inspiration for continued engagement
• Finding your unique contribution to collective healing

Your Facilitators:

When we reach minimum 36 participants all four trainers will be present.

K2 Simon
Certified NVC Trainer, Focusing practitioner, and specialist in Presence-Based  and somatic work. Experienced retreat organiser bringing 34+ years of Buddhist contemplative practice and activism.

Kirsten Kristensen
Certified NVC Trainer (23 years), body therapist, and family therapist. Extensive conflict resolution work internationally (Nepal, Ukraine, Bangladesh) with focus on transformation processes and bringing together people across divides.

Paula Charnley
Focusing teacher, counsellor/psychotherapist, and former movement shiatsu practitioner. Skilled in somatic-based therapeutic work and community building across networks.

Jenji
Full-time activist and eco-somatics practitioner working at intersections of sensory awareness, resonant connection, and creative expression. Brings movement work, costume/visioning practices, and deep engagement with diverse activist communities (ecologists, animal rights, young people’s movements).

The Residential Experience

Format

A co-created, collaborative weekend blending:

• Somatic practices: Movement, felt-sense work, body awareness
• Communication skills: NVC, focusing, dialogue across difference
• Creative expression: Visioning, embodied exploration, potential costume work
• Community connection: Circle sharing, bonfire gatherings, organic emergence
• Integration time: Space for personal reflection and rest

Daily Rhythm

• Morning practice and gathering
• Workshop sessions with all facilitators contributing their expertise
• Communal meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
• Evening sessions/bonfire time
• Spaciousness for spontaneous connections and personal reflection

Practical Details

Accommodation Options & Costs

Accommodation (includes 3 nights, all meals & snacks):
To be paid directly to the venue upon arrival

• Camping: £225
• Double room: £285
• Single room: £350

Training Fees (Sliding Scale):
To be paid by registration, see link below.

Choose a rate that works for you while helping us sustain this work. We trust your choice and appreciate support from those able to pay more.

• Lower tier: £150 / 1.290 DKK (for those who struggle to pay daily costs)
• Mid tier: £225 / 1.950 DKK (what we would be delighted to receive)
• Upper tier: £300 / 2.600 DKK (our sweet spot, where you help support those with less)

Total Investment: £375-650 depending on accommodation and financial capacity.

Early commitment appreciated:

While we understand people book closer to dates, expressing interest early helps us plan and potentially avoid cancellation.

Discount:
10% off training fees if registered by March 28:

• Lower tier: £135 / 1.160 DKK
  (for those who struggle to pay daily costs)
• Mid tier: £200 / 1.750 DKK
  (what we would be delighted to receive)
• Upper tier: £270/ 2.340 DKK
  (our sweet spot, where you help support those with less)

Total Investment: £360-620 depending on accommodation and financial capacity

Number of participants:

Minimum participants: 12
Maximum participants: 50
When we reach minimum 36 participants all four trainers will be present.

Key Dates:

• Registration opens: February 16, 2026
• Early commitment discount: 10% off training fees if registered by March 28
• Final registration: May 14, 2026 (payment is open til 28 May)

Cancellation

• If you withdraw from the course no later than 2 months before the start of the course, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
• If you withdraw from the course no later than 1 month before the start of the course, the amount paid minus DKK 1,000 will be refunded.
• If you cancel the course less than 1 month before the start of the course, the course fee is usually only refunded if you find another paying participant, or if the course has a waiting list and we find another paying participant. If we do not refund the course fee, you will be offered another course of equivalent duration.
• If we cancel the course, the entire amount paid will be refunded.

Here is link to Registration

This link takes you to our payment platform with SPORTI.dk, where you can pay with creditcard and automatically get an invoice.

What’s Included

• Expert facilitation from four experienced practitioners
• All meals (vegetarian/vegan options, high quality local food)
• Accommodation for 3 nights
• Access to beautiful grounds, bonfire space, and community facilities
• Workshop materials

Who Is This For?

This gathering welcomes:

• Anyone dreaming of a better world who wants to develop communication and somatic skills for effective action
• Activists and changemakers needing skills to work with big emotions without burning out
• People across divides with the courage to meet those who hold different views
• Young adults seeking guidance and community while maintaining autonomy in navigating our changing world
• Those experiencing conflict in their communities, groups, or within themselves

We particularly welcome participants who bring diverse perspectives and are committed to genuine dialogue across differences.

Our Context & Commitment

We gather in awareness of:

• Government reports acknowledging imminent ecological collapse
• Rising global authoritarianism and societal polarization
• The urgent need for spaces where different perspectives can meet
• For vision, community, and authentic connection
• The recognition across diverse fields (ecology, animal rights, climate science) that shifts in consciousness, particularly seeing ourselves as part of ecology, are foundational to systemic change

We commit to:

• Co-creating a space of genuine safety and challenge
• Honoring diverse perspectives and experiences
• Practicing the skills we’re sharing
• Approaching our own limitations with humility
• Holding space for both grief and hope, paralysis and action

What to Bring

• Camping gear (if camping)
• Comfortable clothes for movement
• Journal/notebook
• Open heart and willingness to engage

Connect & Questions

Email: simon@living-presence.co.uk
Learn more about Braziers Park: WEBSITE

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have financial constraints?
A: Yes. Choose the lower sliding scale tier for training fees, and camping accommodation keeps costs accessible. We’re exploring scholarship possibilities for future offerings.

Q: I don’t have experience with NVC/Focusing/somatics.
A: Perfect. All levels are welcome. We’ll introduce practices accessibly while offering depth for those with experience.

Q: What if I have opposing political views to others?
A: This is exactly what we’re practicing, how to meet across differences with courage and skill. Your presence enriches the learning for all.

Q: Will this be recorded/on Zoom?
A: No. This is an in-person gathering. The “quickening” that happens when bodies gather physically is central to our intention.

Closing Words

The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible
— Charles Eisenstein,

The sparks that jump when we sit together in embodied presence cannot be replicated virtually. Join us in dreaming and practicing a more beautiful world into being.

This residential is a collaborative offering co-created by four practitioners committed to supporting courageous engagement with our times. We approach this work with humility, knowing we don’t have all the answers, but trusting in the collective wisdom that emerges when diverse hearts meet with genuine presence.

Here is link to Registration

This link takes you to our payment platform with SPORTI.dk, where you can pay with creditcard and automatically get an invoice.