What is The Journey?
The Journey is a 5-day residential programme held at Embercombe. It is available to anyone who wishes to undertake a voyage of personal exploration and step towards their true authentic self and towards the world, to make a powerful contribution which is aligned to their gifts, passion, and experience.
The Journey programme particularly focuses on reconnecting us with the natural environment as a source of our power and strength.
The programme is designed and directed by Embercombe's founder and author of 'Finding Earth, Finding Soul', Tim 'Mac' Macartney. Read about Mac and the other facilitators here.
The Twin Trail
The Twin Trail is a key concept of The Journey programme, focussing on the two paths of leadership: one the inner path of one's own self development, unfolding, healing and deepening as a human being and the other, the outer path of action – having effect in the world.
Our potency is diminished whenever we choose to ignore one of these paths. The Journey is designed to bring both paths to your attention, with the purpose of giving you better balance in your life and the ability to make a more powerful impact in the world.
Wrapped within the Twin Trail is the idea that we never feel ready to step forward; it's never the right time – we are always in some way unprepared or insufficiently resourced – if we hold off and try to complete the work on ourselves first, we will be stepping into the grave before our work is done. The act of the courageous leader is to step out, simultaneously walking the twin path, inner and outer, to learn, grow and deepen while also making a difference in whatever context might be appropriate to our circumstances, gifts and passion.
Who is The Journey for?
If you stand at a crossroads facing many choices, love our Earth and want to make a difference, and yet feel somehow stuck, then our programme might suit you.
- You may have already stepped into action and seek nourishment and perhaps a re-appraisal of how you are spending your time and where you direct your energy.
- You may be asking ‘Is there more to life than this?”
- You may wish to find a role in life that makes a positive difference in the world and are unsure how.
The Journey invites you
to take a step deeper
to find a more fulfilling, meaningful and authentic life
to discover what you can uniquely contribute in this time of huge environmental, social, and economic challenges
Wherever you are on your path of self-discovery, this programme takes you deeper.
Deciding between The Journey at Embercombe and other personal development programmes
The primary focus of many personal exploration programmes is the healing of physical and emotional blocks. Embercombe's programme is closely linked to our mission "To touch hearts, stimulate minds, and inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world."
Of course, all programmes of integrity that encourage people to look inside and touch into powerful emotions will surface issues that require healing, and many people experience this on our programme. However, Embercombe's focus is towards igniting inside people a determination to enter the world and make a powerful contribution which is aligned to their natural talents, what they love and what they know. If your primary need at this time is to attend to personal healing issues then it may be that another programme is a more appropriate choice.
Who comes on The Journey?
People of all ages, social groups and experience. Wealthy, impoverished, the frantically busy, those with plenty of time.
Dr Steve Onyett, Clinical Psychologist, Onyett Entero
"Annie Dillard said “The way we spend our days is the way we spend our lives”. Anyone concerned with the way they are spending those precious days and the value they bring to their loved ones, their work, their communities
and the planet that sustains them will benefit from The Journey. It is extremely challenging, yet soulful, honouring, and facilitated in a way that is supportive without being cosseting. The twin inner and outer journeys are intertwined so that by the time you are asked to commit to the difference you want to make you can do it from ground that is confidently and fully claimed. It was the best leadership development course I have ever been on and I would recommend the Journey to anyone who wants to deepen to a more meaningful life, whatever that may mean for the person concerned."
Steve is an Associate Professor in Clinical Training, Visiting Professor with the School of Health and Social Care at the University of the West of England. Steve is also an associate of the Centre for Solutions Focus at Work. http://www.onyett.org
Simon de Quincy
"I kept thinking during and since The Journey that this is the last workshop I will ever need - authentic, inspiring and a revelation in how to live in the 21st century; a programme that honoured all of our individuality and potential to shine - in a well held communal adventure; a profound and long lasting kick into being special and connected but not a boot camp. An experience of being in fellowship, grounded and inspired but with time to reflect and plan for the future."
Alexis Rowell, Sustainability Councillor of the Year 2010, climate activist, and Transition author
”After I did The Journey, I visited my dad for the first time in 21 years and now the hurt has gone away from that. Now I see that man and nature are interlinked. Mac inspires me to keep going when I reach low ebb. I take time out and then I get back on my horse. I've got a piano and I read music now and I love it. “Being not doing”. Well I'm a do-er, but I'm better at being. Living with, rather than against nature is a constant theme now when I talk. Personal development is the biggest thing. I carried on working with Jonathan, one of the Journey facilitators, for a year. I got real knowledge of my weaknesses and now I can unblock others and mentor them as a result. It has stopped me taking a job that possibly wouldn't have been good for me and would have lead to a burn-out. I try to persuade others to slow down now, too.”
Leadership Consultant, Mark Thompson
"There was challenge, room and space for personal inquiry and expression, without judgment or criticism, freedom, coming back again and again to the land and the fire, joining and connecting. The experience was on so many levels one of utter transformation that it surpasses words."
Interior Designer, Sally Bourne
"I came on the course to help me in forwarding my life in a true and authentic way which could make a difference to society and the planet. It was the hardest and best 5 days of my life. It has inspired me to push on and follow my dream of a business which supports artisans working in an ethical and sustainable way."
Teacher, Liz Moody
"After a 40 odd year game of 'Hide and Seek' with myself (which had become rather tedious and frustrating) I AT LAST! found where I was hiding. (Haha gotcha, now out you come!) It felt so good to be the seeker and the surprise of a lifetime was my found respect for why I hid and the person who I found there. I want to say something about the extraordinary support I felt throughout The Journey too, as I have never felt so held in such capable hands."
The Journey invites you to engage with these questions
What do I value, and what are my values?
What are my beliefs?
What are my intentions?
What are my actions?
How do I find alignment?
Where do I go from here?
Many years of working in leadership and individual development has taught us that the journey of transformation is a passage that navigates the physical, emotional, mental and the spiritual. Like all journeys, along the way you will meet many friends and some familiar foes. There will be times when the wind is chill and your resolution is tested, or loneliness crowds your world. This is the weather of our life experience. Walking towards our challenges, the wind shifts and helps us on our way. We move forward. The impact of a journey well walked, is the deep-lasting satisfaction and joy of knowing that you are alive, awake, alert and contributing to the needs of this extraordinary time.
In practical terms, what is The Journey?
The key elements of the programme are:
Shared physical activity. An opportunity to immerse yourself in practical tasks in the gardens, woods and kitchen; time for integration, consideration and engaging with the wisdom of your physical body and your surroundings.
Facilitated group work: Deep conversation, sharing and coaching. We learn through voicing our deepest feelings and hearing the experiences of others, enabling us to recognise those parts of ourselves we had forgotten or had not dared to reveal.
Facilitated breath work/Therapeutic exercises. A profoundly experiential aspect of the programme, these exercises are fully supported by our trained facilitators and course support staff.
One to one time with a course facilitator. Mac, Jonathan or Kanada will be your personal mentors for the week.
Time spent alone outdoors. You will be invited to spend time on Embercombe’s land in contemplation and reflection
Creativity and self expression: Engagement with creative processes and the expressive arts.
Accommodation
Embercombe has two yurt villages. You will sleep in a comfortable yurt with your own deep mattresses and a wood fired stove. Some yurts have handmade beds: please let us know if you have a physical requirement for a bed and you will be given priority for one of these. Each yurt village has a compost toilet and running water. Full bathroom facilities with hot showers are available to all participants in the main building.
All meals are included. These are all organic and vegetarian and use our own produce from the Embercombe garden wherever possible. We are adept at catering for special dietary needs and these should be communicated on your booking form.
Dates for 2013:
3rd - 8th March
28th April - 3rd May
4th - 9th August
22nd - 27th September
3rd - 8th November
Price
£750* for those who can afford that price and £550 for those who cannot.
If you wish to attend on behalf of your business, please see this page.
Anyone needing to discuss reduced payment is invited to contact Clare Mann directly in the Embercombe office.
If you have questions to be answered or wish to book your place, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01647 252 983
