small group Retreats of Story, Self-Exploration, & Empathic Encounter
what brings you here?
Do you feel like something is off in your life?
Are you struggling to feel belonging and contentment with yourself?
Are you searching for meaningful relationships?
Do you long for inner peace?
Are you looking to take the next step beyond talk therapy?
Do you love genuine, authentic sharing of stories with others?
Are you looking to get away from the rhythms of life for a few days and reset?
If you answered yes to any of these,
you are exactly where you need to be.
Past retreatants said…
“Michael is a rare gift of a facilitator, and this retreat was one of the most worthwhile weekends I have ever spent.”
— Julie
“Perfect mix of internal exploration and reflection in small group setting. I can honestly say I will never listen to someone’s story the same way again! My heart grew…”
— Sheri
“A fulfilling and mind-calming retreat. I now know how I can convey my personal story to others and receive and honor others’ stories as a gift from them to me.”
— Sherry
“I came in all bundled up with nerves … I left rested, restored, and restoried.”
— Susan
In the shelter
$797/person. Single rooms with private bathrooms. All meals included.
This retreat is for you if want to…
explore your life’s stories
connect deeply with a small group of like-minded people
rest and restore yourself at a beautiful location with all meals provided
take a break from the routines of your life for a few days
cultivate curiosity and compassion for your life
listen to other people’s stories
practice vulnerability in a supportive circle of conversation
be introduced to compelling, transformative storytelling processes
reconnect with yourself and your stories
The original Becoming Restoried retreat. A warm, welcoming wander into our life stories to meet ourselves again with curiosity and compassion. With a small group of people, we bear witness to each other’s lived experiences, all while resting in a beautiful location with delicious food.
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Our stories are drowning in the noise of our world. We are not listening well to each other, or to ourselves. Despite our global connectedness, we often feel estranged from even our neighbors. And yet, the call is clear for the need for us all to play our part in healing the divisions around us. It can be difficult to know where to begin—especially if we do not know and own our story. But we all have medicine to offer the world, and we can find it through story.
Over a weekend in the gorgeous hills of Tennessee, you are invited to join award-winning author and founder of Becoming Restoried Michael McRay for an exploration into story. With an intimate group of ten, we will turn and face ourselves, delving into our own personal narratives, encountering with empathy the stories of each other, practicing deep listening, and envisioning how our stories can lead us toward a fruitful engagement with the needs of the world.
What the world truly needs is more people who are awake and alive to themselves. Learning and owning our stories is part of what will help us to get there.
the body keeps the story
$1797/person. Single rooms with private bathrooms. All meals included.
A somatic intensive to unlock and heal the stories held in our bodies. Using experiential practices, movement, and embodiment, you will learn to recognize the language of your body and how to literally restory your embodied experience. This retreat is intense, and through that intensity, it is transformative. We can’t heal it if we can’t feel it.
This retreat is for you if are ready to…
do the hard work to heal from trauma
show up with curiosity courage to face your life’s stories in their fullness
transform your experiences of pain into stories of purpose
feel it in order to heal it
stop avoiding facing the truth of your experiences
be free from the pain of ongoing destructive patterns, painful habits, and defeating beliefs
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Description coming soon!
Not sure which retreat is for you?
We can help! Schedule a quick, 15-minute call with us. We’ll ask you some questions to help you get clear on which experience is ideal for you.
retreat dates.
May 19-21
Beersheba Springs, TN
Retreat: In the Shelter
August 11-13
Beersheba Springs, TN
Retreat: In the Shelter
October 5-8
Beersheba Springs, TN
Retreat: The Body Keeps the Story
Apply now to secure a spot!
Did you know we offer solo retreats?
FAQs
Is there an extra cost for meals?
No, the retreat price includes everything—even constant access to coffee, tea, cold drinks, and snacks. If you have any dietary needs, please include those in the sign-up form.
Will the rooms have private bathrooms?
Yes, everyone can have a private room and a private bathroom. Double rooms are available upon request for a slight discount.
can couples come?
Absolutely!
Is this a religious retreat?
This is not a religious retreat, and you do not need to be Christian. Though most retreat sites in Tennessee are operated by churches, no point will you be proselytized or asked to sit through any religious-based discussion.
Is this a writing retreat?
No. A couple of processes allow for short bits of writing, and there will be some unstructured time when you can write if you wish. The focus will be on our time together and the conversations we have.
