Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spiritual retreat? Back to top
A spiritual retreat with other women affords you the time and space, and the peace and quiet needed to begin or rejuvenate an inner-journey. It is a chance for you to connect with your Source and to pay attention to your soul’s purpose. This type of retreat is intentionally not focused on any particular religion, but rather encourages one to stretch beyond the confines of dogma and rote memorizations of organized religion that can often stifle our connection to our Source. A spiritual retreat with just women is a safe place to be yourself and to open up to your greatest inner truth. It's your opportunity to explore new ideas and concepts that can enhance your spiritual awakening.
Will I have time on my own? Back to top
To optimize our time to the fullest, the workshop and activity agenda is structured to flow from one event to the next. This does not leave any time during the day to leave the retreat location, but your evenings are your own. There are group dinners, campfires, and stargazing scheduled for the evenings, but you are by no means required to attend these. If you have a vehicle you could strike out on your own.
During each retreat day, in between workshops and activities, there will be time for you to be alone with your thoughts. There will be time for you to meditate or journal, take a hike, or take a nap on your own. The New Beginnings retreat is a series of facilitated activities...whereas Take Flight and especially Still Waters leave you alone much of the time for plenty of solitude to work on your soul's purpose and other contemplations.
Where are you located? Back to top
The retreats will be held at various locations in north east Ohio.
How do I get there? Back to top
Your confirmation will give you the exact address of the retreat location. At that time you can consult www.mapquest.com or your GPS unit for the exact driving directions and travel time. If you are flying in for the retreat, you will want to fly into Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE). The estimated driving time from the airport to any of the retreats is an hour to an hour and a half.
Do I really need a car? Back to top
We strongly encourage you to rent a car when your flight arrives in Cleveland. This will provide you with the highest level of freedom and flexibility during your stay. The retreats are sometimes held in very remote locations where there is no taxi service. If you do not drive or do not have a valid driver’s license, call Circle Of Sisters to discuss your circumstances and we can help you decide on the best plan of action. We might be able to arrange a driver for you for a nominal fee.
Can I retreat with my friend/spouse/partner? Back to top
If your friend/spouse/partner is a man, then the answer is “no.” If your friend/spouse/partner is a woman, then the answer is “yes.” Please keep in mind that the purpose of a retreat is to find stillness and quiet so you can rest and (re)connect with Spirit. If you bring along a chatty friend or someone who is not as intent as you, the distraction will defeat the entire purpose of your experience. Best to leave the friend/spouse/partner at home and share what you’ve learned upon returning home.
How do I decide which retreats to attend? Back to top
The best answer for this question is: let your intuition guide you. What feels right? Which retreat description sounds like it will provide what your soul needs? And actually, because every retreat is a different group of women, the group dynamics will change every time - so even if you attend a New Beginnings two or three times, each time it will be a different experience. If you need some help in choosing, please call us to discuss your intention for attending a retreat and we'll match you to the event that will give you what you need. There is no "right" or "wrong" choice...it's all good.
What is your refund/cancellation policy? Back to top
Circle Of Sisters asks for the total payment at the time you register for a retreat. In the event that you have a family or work emergency and are unable to attend on the scheduled dates, we will cancel your scheduled retreat and provide you with a Circle Of Sisters credit for the amount you paid. Your credit with Circle Of Sisters is redeemable for a period of one year from the date you cancel. There is no penalty for a cancellation just before the retreat, but we ask that you give us as much notice as possible. We understand that life can be full of unexpected twists and turns, and we do not want to penalize you for something beyond your control. In lieu of a Circle Of Sisters credit, you could send another woman in your place. Just let us know what you decide to do.
How do I use a Gift Certificate? Back to top
Circle Of Sisters Gift Certificates need to be redeemed within one year from the date they are issued. They can be used for either a Retreat or a series of Soul Days. If they are used for Soul Days, a running balance will be kept on the amount still redeemable on the certificate.
Why should I do this? Back to top
Women are the ultimate caregivers. We become experts at nurturing everyone – except ourselves. Left to our own devices, we’re just too busy to discover and locate all the resources we need to provide inspiration for our inner-journey. There's nothing more fulfilling than cultivating a deep and nurturing connection with Spirit. You deserve to become all that your soul has intended for you. And, as our Circle Of Sisters founder always say, "you get what you need when you need it." If you're on this website considering a retreat for your spiritual journey, then you probably need to attend one.
We hope you'll join us on the path.
Namaste