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Most of us carry names that wer e given before we could speak\, names that may ref lect the hopes\, histories\, or stories of those w ho named us. For some\, these names feel like home . For others\, they carry wounds\, expectations\, or stories that no longer fit.
\n \nAcross the Judeo Christian tradition\, as in many culture s\, encounters with the Divine often led to a new name\, a new way of being seen and knowing Divine love and affirmation.
\n \nThese ancient s tories remind us that naming is always relational\ , shaped by encounter\, longing\, and the limits o f language.
\n \nMany of us struggle with the inherited names for God—names that feel too sm all\, too heavy\, or entangled with harm done unde r them. We long for language that is spacious enou gh to hold our experience of the Holy: loving\, li berating\, and alive.
\n \nThis three day r etreat offers a gentle\, creative space for those whose relationship with their own name needs tendi ng or healing. And for anyone who feels uncomforta ble with the names for God they’ve inherited.
\ n \nThrough story\, poetry\, silence\, music\, movement\, playful exploration and the wild beaut y of Othona\, we will listen for the truths our ow n names carry\, and those they obscure. And\, we w ill explore the words\, images\, metaphors\, and s hapes that help us encounter the Divine with great er freedom\, curiosity and connection.
\n \nIn a world where God’s name is often invoked in w ays that divide or wound\, this weekend invites yo u to rediscover the sacredness of naming as a path toward wholeness. Together\, we will create a saf e\, spacious community in which to explore discomf orts\, longings\, and wonderings\, and to open our selves again to the One who calls each of us by na me.
\n \nNaomi Gates is a spiritual director\, holistic life coach\ , and contemplative writer. She accompanies indivi duals and groups in exploring identity\, faith\, a nd the deeper movements of the soul. Rooted in the Judeo‑Christian tradition and shaped by a gentle\ , spacious approach to spiritual practice\, she we aves together deep listening\, creative expression \, and embodied presence. Her work invites people to reconnect with their truest selves and with a v ision of the Divine that is loving\, liberating\, and alive. Naomi is committed to creating safe\, c ompassionate spaces where participants can explore with honesty\, curiosity\, and tenderness.
\n \nTo learn more about her work\, you are welco
me to visit her websit
e or join her at her writing nook on Substack\, wh
ere she shares reflections\, practices\, and gentl
e invitations for the journey. She always welcomes
hearing from readers and fellow pilgrims and is g
lad to be in touch even if you’re unable to attend
this retreat.
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Fee Types
\n \nYou ar e genuinely welcome to choose whichever rate suits you
\n \n(Learn more about our Pricin g Policy & Bursaries)
\n \n| Standard< /td>\n | £344 | \nwhat most people pay so as to cover our cost s | \n
| Ba sic | \n£292\n | if you're struggling financiall y\, a student or trainee | \nBenefactor | \n£397 | \nfor better off people who 'pay it forward' for others | \n \n
| Dep osit | \n£ 30 | \n
\n \n
Arrival + Departure Times
\n \n(Learn about Arrival+Departure)
\n \n| Arrive between | \n4.00 - 6.00 pm | \n
| Depart after< /td>\n | 2.30 pm | \n \n
DESCRIPTION: \n \n \n \n Space is available on this event!\n \ n \n \n \n \n \n Most of us carry names that were given before we could speak\, names that may refle ct the hopes\, histories\, or stories of those who named us. For some\, these names feel like home. For others\, they carry wounds\, expectations\, or stories that no longer fit.\n \n \n \n Across the Judeo Christian tradition\, as in many cultures\, encounters with the Divine often led to a new nam e\, a new way of being seen and knowing Divine lov e and affirmation. \n \n \n \n These ancient stori es remind us that naming is always relational\, sh aped by encounter\, longing\, and the limits of la nguage. \n \n \n \n Many of us struggle with the i nherited names for God—names that feel too small\, too heavy\, or entangled with harm done under the m. We long for language that is spacious enough to hold our experience of the Holy: loving\, liberat ing\, and alive.\n \n \n \n This three day retreat offers a gentle\, creative space for those whose relationship with their own name needs tending or healing. And for anyone who feels uncomfortable wi th the names for God they’ve inherited.\n \n \n \n Through story\, poetry\, silence\, music\, moveme nt\, playful exploration and the wild beauty of Ot hona\, we will listen for the truths our own names carry\, and those they obscure. And\, we will exp lore the words\, images\, metaphors\, and shapes t hat help us encounter the Divine with greater free dom\, curiosity and connection.\n \n \n \n In a wo rld where God’s name is often invoked in ways that divide or wound\, this weekend invites you to red iscover the sacredness of naming as a path toward wholeness. Together\, we will create a safe\, spac ious community in which to explore discomforts\, l ongings\, and wonderings\, and to open ourselves a gain to the One who calls each of us by name.\n \n \n \n Naomi Gates is a spiritual director\, holis tic life coach\, and contemplative writer. She acc ompanies individuals and groups in exploring ident ity\, faith\, and the deeper movements of the soul . Rooted in the Judeo‑Christian tradition and shap ed by a gentle\, spacious approach to spiritual pr actice\, she weaves together deep listening\, crea tive expression\, and embodied presence. Her work invites people to reconnect with their truest selv es and with a vision of the Divine that is loving\ , liberating\, and alive. Naomi is committed to cr eating safe\, compassionate spaces where participa nts can explore with honesty\, curiosity\, and ten derness.\n \n \n \n To learn more about her work\, you are welcome to visit her website or join her at her writing nook on Substack\, where she shares reflections\, practices\, and gentle invitations for the journey. She always welcomes hearing from readers and fellow pilgrims and is glad to be in t ouch even if you’re unable to attend this retreat. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fee Types\n \n \n \n You are genuinely welcome to choose whichever r ate suits you\n \n \n \n (Learn more about our Pri cing Policy & Bursaries)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Standard\n £344\n what most people pay so as to cover our costs\n \n \n \n Basic\n £292\n if you're struggling financially\, a student or trainee\n \n \n \n Benefactor\n £397\n for better off people who 'pay it forward' for others\n \n \n \n Deposit\n £ 30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Arrival + Departure Times\n \n \n \n (Learn about Arrival+De parture)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Arrive between\ n 4.00 - 6.00 pm\n \n \n \n Depart after \n 2.30 pm\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n CATEGORIES:OWD Event CALSCALE:GREGORIAN DTSTAMP;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T180000 DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261011T143000 LOCATION:Othona Community\, West Dorset\n Coast Road\n Burt on Bradstock\n DT6 4RN\n URL:https://www.othona.org/civicrm/event/info/?reset=1&id=2427 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR