In the work of supporting others, it’s essential to come home to ourselves. This retreat invites you to slow down, reconnect with your own embodied presence, and deepen your inner resources. Through contemplative and somatic practices, you’ll awaken to a fuller, more integrated sense of being—becoming not only more grounded and alive, but more naturally available to others. As we cultivate embodied wakefulness, we become the instrument through which presence, compassion, and clarity can move. This is not about fixing ourselves, but about discovering the wisdom that already lives in the body and learning to trust it. We will explore:
Mindfulness Meditation. Meditation is the fundamental discipline of returning to ground zero—the timeless present. It offers a tangible sense of simply being, where we release our agendas, credentials, and ambitions. In this space of non-doing, we begin to discover the profundity of our being—just being, at one with being itself. Ultimately, meditation is a labor of love. Our steady attentiveness toward ourselves becomes an act of self-love.
Elemental Embodiment. Our most primal aspect is that we are made of the elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Primal being is not about who we are, which is more psychological, but what we are, which is more physical, elemental. The elements are psychophysical—they are the constituents of every physical, sensual, mental, and spiritual phenomenon.
Five Energetic Qualities. The Five Wisdoms are a model of human dynamics: personal styles of perceiving and interacting with your world. They give you a map of your inner world of thoughts and emotions as well as seeing your ways of behaving and relating to others. Ultimately, they are teachings about bringing out the best of who you are and seeing the world with new eyes.
Nervous System Regulation. We’ll explore intuitive, body-based ways to regulate the nervous system and increase vagal tone—supporting resilience, safety, and greater capacity for connection.
Retreat Schedule
Saturday June 6
2-5 pm Arrival, settling in
5:00 Talk 1 Welcome and Introduction
7:00 Dinner
Sunday June 7
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 Mindfulness Meditation with Earth, Sky, Human
9:30 Talk 2 Five Energetic Qualities
10:30 White Buddha Energy Exploration
11:15 Break
11:30 Blue Vajra Energy Exploration
12:30 pm Invoking the Five Wisdoms
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Open
4:00 Mindfulness and Awareness Meditation
4:30 Yellow Ratna Energy Exploration
5:30 Break
5:45 Red Padma Energy Exploration
6:45 Open
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Games or Open
Monday, June 8
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 Mindfulness and Awareness Meditation
9:30 Talk 3 Nervous System Regulation
10:00 Nervous System Regulation Practices and Discussion
11:00 Break
11:15 Green Karma Energy Exploration
12:15 Invoking the Five Wisdoms
12:30 pm Open
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Open
4:00 Mindfulness and Awareness Meditation
4:30 Your Mix of Colors
5:30 Discussion
6:00 Open
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Games or Open
Tuesday, June 9
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 Departure
To complement this experiential retreat, you are invited to read Unfolding the Mystery of Your Life on the Five Wisdoms Path (Chapters 1, 8, 11, and 12).
Irini Rockwell, MA is the founder of the Five Wisdoms Institute and a pioneering teacher in the field of human development. Drawing on her roots as a dancer and her training in Contemplative Psychotherapy, Irini brings decades of experience in translating the profound teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism into accessible, embodied tools for transformation. For over 40 years, she has taught internationally, guiding professionals, seekers, and leaders through trainings, retreats, and mentorship. Her books—The Five Wisdom Energies, Natural Brilliance, and Unfolding the Mystery of Your Life—have inspired thousands to explore their inner life with greater depth and clarity. A longtime student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Irini offers a rare integration of ancient wisdom and modern insight.
Accommodation at Oikia
Oikia is a simple and beautiful retreat home, just a few minutes’ walk from the sea.
The atmosphere is communal, quiet, and supportive — designed for deep practice and shared presence.
Most rooms are shared (mostly double occupancy), and bathrooms are shared as well.
This is a retreat-style accommodation — simple, warm, and communal rather than luxury hotel.
Option A — Staying at Oikia (on-site)
• Shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms (simple communal retreat setting)
• Full board included (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Cost: $400
Option B — Staying off-site (nearby studios/hotels)
If you prefer more privacy, you are welcome to stay in a nearby studio or hotel.
We recommend Stefanie Studios, link, located just a short walk from Oikia.
Participants arrange and pay for off-site accommodation directly with the hotel.
If staying off-site, you will still join all retreat meals and sessions at Oikia, paying participation + meals fees.
• Retreat Cost $400 paid at registration
• Total Oikia fees: 139€, paid on arrival (Participation: 21€ and Meals package: 118€ total)
Meals
All meals are prepared with care and are primarily vegetarian. (One day may include fish or chicken as an option.)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are shared together as part of the retreat rhythm.
If you have food allergies or dietary needs, please inform Irini in advance: irini@five-wisdoms.org
To register
