Assuming the Gift of My Femininity

Women’s Retreat

July 8 to 10

Facilitated by Dhyan Samagra and Prem Devayana

Dear woman,

Samagra and I have created this retreat with you in mind, and with all women who long for a place of comfort, rest, and genuine connection. Imagine a sacred space where you can speak openly, be fully yourself, and feel free from judgment. A place where we reflect one another, offer support, and meet other women who understand what you feel, share honestly, and allow vulnerability without fear of being hurt.

On my own path, I have deeply felt the need for women-only spaces where I can be the center of my own attention, enjoy moments of silence and contemplation, and step away from the routine of home, family, partner, or work without feeling judged. Honestly, I am tired of never having enough time for myself, of wanting to do so much and still not finding the breathing room I need. Aren’t we the most important? Then what?

At the same time, many women’s groups are often filled with criticism, gossip, and conflict. We have learned that women are frequently made to compete for men, even at the expense of other women, doing everything possible to be liked and noticed, sometimes putting our own health at risk. It is as if we have no other choice.

What we truly need is female complicity, respect, and sisterhood. Fortunately, I have very dear friends whom I trust completely and with whom I share my most intimate secrets, knowing they will stay between us—without judgment, gossip, or destructive criticism, only love, acceptance, support... and the occasional wave of laughter! But I do not want to keep this only within my small circle. I want to grow this circle of women so more of us can speak without fear of rejection or judgment, support one another, respect one another, and honor other women. I want our daughters to have loving, creative, compassionate, and empathetic female role models from whom they can learn what it means to be women, so that roles and stereotypes can belong to the past and they can bloom in their own unique way, living joyful, fulfilled lives and recognizing their own value and what they can offer the world.

Beautiful woman, my dear Samagra and I would love to share this weekend with you and get to know you. We want to learn more about you, your dreams, and your life. We want to share what we feel and what we love. Together, we will create a feminine space where we can be accomplices, recognize our beauty and uniqueness, laugh freely, dance, and express ourselves in all our splendor. I hope these words reach your heart and resonate with what you are seeking.

Why do we believe it is important to take part in a Women’s Circle?

Sitting in a circle of women helps us see ourselves reflected in others who, like us, have walked through life with shame and the inability to look beyond the mask and appearance we present to the world. It becomes easier to dare to show ourselves as we truly are, with our own tastes, our unique way of being, our gifts, and our virtues.

Being accompanied by other women gives us the chance to open up, because we recognize in one another the same lack, the same fear, and the same self-criticism, in greater or lesser measure, but always with the shared reality of feeling imperfect and inadequate.

Feeling the strength of the feminine circle supports us in speaking about what concerns us, expressing ourselves freely, feeling the support of other women, and becoming allies. It allows us to recognize ourselves and enjoy our authenticity, the joy, and the beauty we have been given simply by being born women.

Being seated in a circle opens the possibility of expressing what we feel and accompanying one another, reflected in each other and held by feminine love.

For years, women have been taught how they should and should not be. How to behave, how to dress, how and how much they may enjoy their bodies alone or with others, which roles to follow, which ones are frowned upon, and what shape their hips and waist should have in order to feel socially acceptable. The conditioning runs so deep that even a compliment can make us assume the person is expecting something in return, or is lying, exaggerating, or simply saying what a parent or aunt might say to the favorite niece.

It is difficult to look in the mirror and truly see who we are, what we are made of, to delight in and marvel at the wonder nature has given us, and to touch our bodies without shame or guilt. To see not only what we appear to be, or the shape we have, but the true gift life has given us by bringing us into this world as women, regardless of our sexual preferences.

Benefits:

• You will gift yourself a few days to reconnect with nature and with your feminine qualities.
• You will enjoy a feminine space where you can show up naturally, without heaviness, guilt, or comparison.
• We will talk about the normalization of repression received from society, religion, and marketing, so we can become aware of it and decide whether it still serves us.
• You will find a circle of friends with whom you can share fears, likes, preferences, and worries without fear of criticism or reproach.