There are many formats in which the Work takes place. While our personal commitment to introspection and willingness to work on ourselves plays a huge role in the Work, the Whidbey Akhaldans Fourth Way School offers students the unique opportunity to learn with and through shared experiences with one another.

Our Work takes place alone, in pairs, in small and large groups. Students are invited to experience the Work through our Zoom classes, our in-person classes, weekend retreats, long retreats on site and abroad. We also welcome students to come for more immersive experiences, through one-on-one coaching sessions with Carol, through our residential program, which spans 1 to 3 months, and through intensive, 3 day one-on-one retreats with Carol, on site.

To sign up for any of our offerings, contact Carol via whidbeyakhaldans@gmail.com

You can find our full schedule of offerings in our calendar page.

Online Zoom Classes

We currently offer online movement classes on zoom Friday mornings starting at 8:00 AM pacific time (Seattle area, USA).

The Friday classes are one hour long and open to all, regardless of experience with the Gurdjieff Work.

Please visit our online zoom classes page for further information.

In Person Classes

We offer in person weekend groups on Friday evening, Saturday mid-day and Sunday morning.

The Friday evening Seekers’ Salon provides a space for conscious conversation. This is a delicious experience of deep listening and sharing where we can clearly hear ourselves and others think.

We work together in community on Saturdays, helping each other with physical labor and connection with purpose.

During Sunday morning’s Gurdjieff Movements and Work session, we develop a deeper understanding of our automatic behaviors, thoughts, and feelings through attention to ourselves. We use Gurdjieff’s Movements and Exercises as a way to develop our capacities of awareness and attention.

To read more about the in person meetings, times and schedule, click here.

Retreats

Weekend Retreats

Our weekend retreats feature a blend of experiences designed to facilitate deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to nature. Together, we participate in morning sittings; Gurdjieff Movements and Exercises to develop capacities of awareness and attention; discussion, sharing, and exploration of the Fourth Way themes. We intentionally collaborate with one another during this time, working in Nature together, sharing, and reflecting on our experiences together.

For detailed information about our – Weekend Retreats.

Intensive 6 day Retreats at Whidbey Akhaldans

The 6-Day Retreats offer participants the unique opportunity to experience continuous community living, and regular processing of the arising frictions and reactions that are an inevitable part of coexistence. Powerful challenges and subtle shocks will arise as we cultivate deeper self-understanding; these are delivered in a safe, and compassionate space. They prove remarkable and insightful fodder for our group discussions, and your one-on-one coaching with Carol in the course of the retreat.

For detailed information about our – Intensive 6 day Retreats.

Intensive 8-day Retreats at Whidbey Akhaldans

Our 8-Day retreats are a 2-day extension to the 6-day standard retreat. Immediately following the 6-day programming, above, participants of the 8-day retreat will have the unique opportunity to explore the art and science of becoming a 4th Way facilitator, of Working for the Work.

For detailed information about our – Intensive 8 day Retreats.

Intensive Retreats Worldwide

In addition to offering 6 and 8 day retreats at the Whidbey Akhaldans 4th Way School in Washington, we offer students the opportunity to participate in the Work through international retreats. In the past few years we offered retreats in Portugal, Estonia and South Africa. See more details of future retreats in Upcoming Events.

Our international retreats feature a blend of experiences designed to facilitate deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to nature. Together, we participate in morning sittings; Gurdjieff Movements and Exercises to develop capacities of awareness and attention; discussion, sharing, and exploration of the Fourth Way themes. We intentionally collaborate with one another during this time, including sharing meals, working in Nature together, sharing and reflecting on our experiences.

To read more about the international retreats for this year, click here.

Individual 3-day Intensives

Those looking for a more goal-oriented, personal learning experience are invited to apply for an immersive 3-day stay at the Whidbey Akhaldans Center. During this time, Carol acts as a coach and accountability partner in focused aspects of your personal Work.

While the time is technically unstructured, students are invited to spend as much time as they need in the activities that feel right to them. Carol devotes her time and care to the student’s personal journey, and they undertake the Work both formally and informally. Formally, students are offered guided meditations, personalized exercises, in-depth discussions, coaching sessions, and Sacred Dances. Informally, the Work also takes place in small moments: walking together on the beach, sharing meals, and sitting beside the fire. Our 3-Day Intensives are a wonderful opportunity to experience the deep care and personalized attention of Carol, as she coaches her students towards–and through–greater self-understanding.

Upon completion of the Intensive, Carol invites her students to create a formal contract for change with themselves that articulates the much-needed change they seek to bring about.
Intensives require a preliminary conversation with Carol before arrival. The cost of the 3-Day Intensive is $600, and includes 3 nights’ lodging in a private bedroom in the School’s main house, and most meals.

Intensives are offered during the week. You can find out more about our schedule, here.

Residential Program

We offer our residential program at the Whidbey Akhaldans campus in Coupeville, Washington. The school is located on 5 stunning acres of a Pacific Northwest forest, in a beautiful, serene home.

Anyone is welcome to apply, but the final invitations are made by Carol, after an interview. The program runs during the ‘better’ weather months of May, June and July every year.

The cost of the residential program is $600 per month. This includes lodging, teaching, 90 minutes of weekly one-on-one intensive coaching, and participation in any group activities occurring on campus. Participants share a fully-equipped kitchen and bear the responsibility of their own food.

The residential program offers participants the unique opportunity to experience continuous community living, and regular processing of the arising frictions and reactions that are an inevitable part of coexistence. Powerful challenges and subtle shocks will arise as we cultivate deeper self-understanding; these are delivered in a safe, and compassionate space. They prove remarkable and insightful fodder for self-improvement coaching in your one-on-one sessions with Carol.

We share our living and kitchen areas, as well as participate in the upkeep and improvement of our physical surroundings.

One-on-one Coaching

Current and former students may also find one-on-one coaching on a weekly or bi-weekly basis with Carol invaluable as they continue their Work. During these coaching conversations, Carol brings a deeply personalized, goal oriented approach to a student’s self-development journey. She acts as an accountability and expert conversational partner in the ongoing quest to become our most authentic selves. These conversations are colored by student’s self-inquiry, concrete guidance, and immense insight in challenging situations.

These coaching conversations can take place in person, by phone, or by video conference.

They are 60 minutes in duration, and cost $75 per session. Please contact Carol at: whidbeyakhaldans@gmail.com