May 26-29, 2006 (Friday-Monday)
Participants of Joyce and Barry’s retreats consistently tell us the same things. This program for couples took them to the true depths of their love and commitment. Being with facilitators who are so much in love, after 41 years of being together, has been just as helpful as their powerful and effective teachings. A creative process emerges from within each person, rather than being imposed externally. This enables past hurts to heal, conflict to be resolved, and trust to grow. Almost all who work with Joyce and Barry leave the retreat more committed, not only to their partners, but to their own spiritual quest. And it is fun!
In this workshop you will learn how to help your partner grow. You will learn the healthy communication of feelings and to respect each other’s differences. You will see your partner as a mirror, getting past positive as well as negative projections. You can’t do relationship from the head alone; your heart needs to be involved, and to access your heart, you need to learn to be vulnerable and take risks. All people carry some degree of negative programming from their past, and there are loving and effective ways to transform this programming into a positive and vibrant celebration of connection. Do you want a safe, comfortable relationship, or do you want real love? Do you want to confine your ocean-worthy sailing ship to a small, protected harbor or let it explore the open seas?
At the heart of Barry and Joyce’s work is a universal spirituality. Couples vary widely in spiritual beliefs, yet all feel comfortable in their presence. The Vissell’s trust in a higher power is well beyond the restrictive barriers of dogma, allowing them to be at ease with and to honor all religions. Relationship is a spiritual path, a work of art in progress, and a journey of awakening, rather than a goal to achieve. Relationship is the background, with the journey to wholeness as the foreground. Our feet are rooted in the earth, and we’re reaching to the heavens; our humanity is integrated with our divinity.
With the support of other, like-hearted couples, many experience a new level of connection. The original music of Scott Kalechstein brings the experience more deeply into the heart through the gentle alchemy of his lovely guitar, soothing singing, and often hilarious lyrics. The workshop is designed for the Memorial Day holiday, ends Monday after lunch, and costs an additional $80.
Joyce Vissell is a nurse and Barry Vissell is a medical doctor and psychiatrist; their main medicine is unconditional love. Since 1972, they have been counseling, healing, and teaching internationally. They are authors of five best-selling books on relationship, family, and personal growth: The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk to be Healed, The Heart’s Wisdom, and Meant To Be. They founded and direct the non-profit Shared Heart Foundation, dedicated to personal and planetary peace through loving relationships. Their visits here have been real love feasts, and we always welcome their presence.
“Of all the couples workshops we have attended, Joyce and Barry’s is by far the best. We have gone to their workshops at Rowe six times, and each time we come home with more precious gems to enhance our relationship. By weaving powerful teachings, music, laughter, and tears, they provide a gentle and safe environment for growth, healing and renewal.” —Laura and Max Greendale