The Whidbey Akhaldans Fourth Way School is a center that offers students the opportunity to cultivate integrated development of self-awareness and self-understanding. This self-understanding transforms our inner–and outer–experience of life. Through unlearning our conditioned, past patterns, we are able to connect in a more grounded and authentic way with ourselves, with others, and with the world. This process is always underway, and it is our eternal, joyful Work.
To create and hold a local, non-residential group where we can work together, we’re making space for friends with a wide range of interests and comfort zones. There are some people who lean toward the Gurdjieff work and particularly the Movements. Others don’t resonate with the Movements but enjoy and are awakened by the experiential and playful nature of the somatic integration groups. Still others come only for the Salon, where they find stimulation and the relief of being in a circle of people who want to explore ideas and how they impact us emotionally. We have a small core of people who come for all three and are actively welcoming newcomers.
In this page you will find the various opportunities through which we share this Work, during our in person weekly groups on site. We offer accommodation for participants who are interested to join our groups from off island. Read details down at the end. We also offer weekend and week long retreats.
Friday Evening – Integrative Somatic Experience (Currently on Hiatus)
Fridays: 7:00-9:00 PM Pacific Time
On-Site: Whidbey Akhaldans Fourth Way School, Coupeville, Washington (view a map)
A donation of $20 is gratefully accepted, but not required.
In this session, we undertake a deep-dive into a three-centered experience (body, heart, and mind) with guided meditations, music, movement, and psycho-drama. We share our observations, insights, and questions with a community that is safe, challenging, and accountable.
during one of our somatic experiences (photo taken with participants’ consent)
We encourage regular participation in this session, as there will be suggested readings and exercises between sessions. We do, however, welcome drop-ins with an invitation from Carol as well.
Saturdays are Community Work Days
This is an opportunity to work together to help ourselves and each other. Light (and not so light) physical labor in yards, attics, garages, gardens and forests provides challenge and satisfaction for all our Centers. Contact Carol if you have a project (on or around Whidbey Island) and/or a wish to help.
Sunday Morning – Gurdjieff Movements and Inner Work
Sundays: 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Pacific Time
On-Site: Whidbey Akhaldans Fourth Way School, Coupeville, Washington
A donation of $20 is gratefully accepted, but not required.
In this 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. We connect with our unique qualities of Essence, as well as with others who are Working, and with Nature.
We use Gurdjieff’s Movements and as a way to develop our capacities of awareness and attention
We encourage regular participation in this session to develop the experience of group and community. We do, however, welcome drop-ins with an invitation from Carol as well.
Friday Evening – the Seekers’ Salon
Fridays: 7:00-8:30 PM Pacific Time
On-Site: Whidbey Akhaldans Fourth Way School, Coupeville, Washington
Listening, Sharing, and Exploring the Big Questions. We gather with the intention to listen and speak from presence. We’re steadily improving!
Weekend Accommodation for Off-Island Participants
We have set all the offerings around the weekend so that folks from the mainland can come on Friday evening and stay through to Sunday. We have extra rooms or, when many, comfortable floor space. When there are overnight guests, we make sure to have more opportunities for work together or just space to Be.
For more information, please contact carol at whidbeyakhaldans@gmail.com
Weekend and Week Long Retreats
Working intensely together with intention can catalyze transformation in ways that even regular daily practice cannot. Weekend and week-long retreats provide the space and the framework for some of our most important Work.
For detailed information about our – Weekend Retreats.
For detailed information about our – Week long retreats.
