Join us for a 5-day Experiential Intensive in Ireland, September 2025
The vision for this retreat is to spend 5-days together using experiential exercises to explore, discover, and deepen our practicing of Compassionate Inquiry. It is intended that by the end of the retreat you will have explored and embodied the Qualities of the CI Practitioner, fine tuned your CI Skills and expanded your imagination with the intentionality of the CI Stepping Stones. You will have more insight and awareness of what behaviors, patterns, sub-personalities and parts show up in you when you sit with your clients. And rather than making any of this wrong, you will explore how “all of you” supports your clients’ process, provided you can stay out of their way.
By interacting, in-person and in-group, we will have a rich environment for uncovering some of our patterns, behaviors and strategies and tend to them as they arise with compassion.
You will experience a combination of daytime workshops, CI practice sessions, body based and nature connection practices, playfulness and evening community celebration (including Irish music and dancing). You will be surrounded by beautiful nature, nourishing food and plenty of opportunity for rest, reflection and to connect with others. Our hope is that you leave rested, nourished, inspired and with a deeper connection to yourself, your clients and the work you do with them, and to the CI community.
Organizers/Facilitators
Stephen Brown – organizer and facilitator
About Stephen Brown
For over 25 years I have been working with people, and connection is at the core of that work – connection with self, with community and the environment.
I offer courses, retreats and 1-2-1 sessions that are powerfully transformative and have the intention of bringing harmony to your mind, your life, your community and the world.
My work utilizes many western, eastern and ancient modalities, practices and environments. All the while, holding safe space for you to navigate your life, nervous system, perceptions and beliefs, behavioural patterns, and values. In our work I will remain present to you, my Self and the process. I will support you and provide curiosity, care, compassion, connectedness, calmness and clarity.
Additionally, there will be up to 3 people to support this training who will, as a minimum, be Certified Compassionate Inquiry Practitioners.
Who is this retreat for?
Any current participant or graduate of the Compassionate Inquiry one year training programme
Location and Schedule
We will start at 10.00am on Monday 8th September 2025 and complete by 3.00pm on Friday 12th September 2025.
Location: The Corrymeela Centre, founded in 1965, is dedicated to reconciliation and peacebuilding, particularly in the context of the sectarian conflict in the North of Ireland, known as “The Troubles”. Corrymeela emphasises inclusivity, dialogue, and shared experiences to promote understanding and healing among people of different backgrounds and beliefs.
The centre sits above the seaside town of Ballycastle and boasts breathtaking views across the Irish Sea to Rathlin Island and Scotland.
Corrymeela is Northern Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation organisation, hosting over 10,000 people a year and having a live-in community of volunteers and staff.
“Corrymeela” is often translated from Irish as “the hill of harmony” or “hill of sweetness”.
Corrymeela Centre
5 Drumaroan Road
Ballycastle
BT54 6QU
Getting to the Venue
Corrymeela is about 60 miles north of Belfast.
Fly to Belfast (City or International Airport) or Dublin and from there you will be able to use a hire car or public transport to get to the venue/accommodation.
You will be provided with information on how to get to the venue after your place has been confirmed.
Booking Flights
This event requires a certain number of participants to make it viable, and therefore, we advise that you don’t book flights before 11th May. Should the viability become possible before then, we will let you know and you can book your flights. If it remains unviable, we will issue a full refund.
Booking Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation available at Corrymeela comprising of:
- Ensuite single and twin rooms
- Shared bathroom single and twin rooms
Accommodation is all inclusive and ranges from £450 – £690 per person depending on your requirements.
You will be able to book your preference on a first come first served basis.
Full Schedule
We will start at 10.00am on Monday 8th September 2025 and complete by 3.00pm on Friday 12th September 2025
See retreat schedule (subject to change)
All workshops are didactic and experiential. Participants can expect to work and play creatively.
| Early Morning | Morning (9am – 12pm) | Afternoon (2pm – 5pm) | Evening (8pm) | |
| Monday | Welcome Introductions, Getting started – CI qualities, the practitioner and the shadow | Demo Feedback discussion Trusting the client’s process – intention and following | Irish Music and Dancing | |
| Tuesday | Cold water immersion in the Irish sea | Intentionality of stepping stones and skills Multidimensionality, bottom-up and top-down. Working with the field and constraints | Creativity CI with groups (art and theater) | Open mic night |
| Wednesday | Gentle somatic movement exercises on the lawn | What gets in the way of the work? | Demo Stuck points and beyond | The traumas of the conflicts in Ireland Intergenerational trauma Addiction Poverty Segregation |
| Thursday | Sunrise walk | A sense of Self (identity) – Loveable, worth, seen, value and purpose, cultural and human connection, relationship with body, place in the universe | Somatic exercises for health and regulation Supporting the client’s internal communication, attachment style and the soma | |
| Friday | Cold water immersion in the Irish sea | Demo, practice sessions and open house | Closing Circle |
Registration
Capacity 50 people
£875 – early bird rate
£975 – standard rate
Early bird rates are available until 11th May (£375 GBP deposit to secure Early Bird Rate)
Cancellation Policy
Refunds are not possible and we highly recommend you take travel insurance to cover all costs and expenses.
Further Information
For further information or questions, please contact us by email