Tonglen and Aikido are tools on the one hand, and a way of being on the other.

Tonglen is a meditation practice, aimed at becoming intimate with oneself. In this week every day will start with a tonglen meditation as a base for the rest of the day.

Aikido is the most peaceful form of the martial arts. The word is composed from the concepts ai (harmony), ki (life energy) and do (the way). It could be translated as the way of harmoniously using life energy. One of the characteristics of Aikido is that it doesn’t oppose the energy of the adversary, but uses that in an constructive way.

Elements of the training will be: breathing, Aikido practice, relaxation exercises, body awareness, sensory training, working with our emotional heritage, training mindfulness. This part of the training will be given in the morning by Arnaud de Waij, daimio. 

The sacred contract

In the afternoon we will investigate our sacred contract. Inspired by the work of Carl Jung and Caroline Myss we shall use archetypes to find out about that. Archetypes are thought and behavior patterns that come from our unconscious, especially that part that we share with all mankind (the collective unconscious). Our personal archetypes are our allies and teachers in life. By discovering which they are, and by assigning them intuitively to the different areas of our lives, we can find out what our sacred contract is: the commitment we made before birth about our task in this life. After birth we forget about all that, so that we have to re-member it again. That is what we are doing in this week. This part of the training will be given in the afternoon by Erik van Praag.

Some other aspects of the week 

After having done the work described above we will spend the last afternoon and evening making the transition to everyday life. With the tools and insights we have learned it is now possible for us to redefine our task in life and to rediscover our future perspective. It is an opportunity to make a new commitment and to settle in peace.

The week will involve some hard work, and when one works hard one has to relax hard.Sothere will also be leisure time.Time towalk in and let us be taught by nature, to enjoy the entertainment planned for some of the evenings, and time to sit in the sunshine with a drink, orto have a chat.

A piano is available for those who wish to make music.Please bring your own instruments too!

For whom?

This week is meant for everyone who has the courage to know himself and wants to make a difference in the world. You can come alone, with your team, with your partner, with your grown-up children (from age 17 on), your parents, your friends. (fortwo or more persons a discount is available – see under practicalities).  

Where?

The event will be held on the Den Alerdinck estate, near Zwolle, in the facilities of the School.Beautiful gardens and the surrounding nature invite you to wander and relax. You will be lodged in simple and comfortable single or double rooms, each with its own shower and toilet. It’s a great place to both work and relax. The setting invites your insights and will inspire you to deepen your understanding of yourself and others. 

Your staff

This week will be led by Erik van Praag and Arnaud de Waij. 

Erik, born 1940, is a, father of three children and grandfather of four. Worked as a teacher and department head at the university, as manager in a psychiatric hospital and as a psychotherapist. Presently he is dean of the Edge and a teacher in personal and spiritual development.He has experience in Germany, the Czech Republic, Russia, Estonia and in the USA. He wrote eight books, among which: Room for Happiness (Publish America) and Spiritual Leadership (Paraview). The last words of one of these books:" 'Love cannot be cultivated by thinking' (J. Krishnamurti). Maybe it can grow if we liberate ourselves from the pinching bonds of our past, and if we open ourselves up for our longing to give what it is we have to give."

Arnaud de Waij for several years was trained and educated in many different styles of martial arts in Japan. He recently received the Sensei-title (grandmaster). Besides he is working as sales-representative in the business world, and working as personal coach and trainer. His drive in life is to teach people to do business based on equal respect for each other and to strive for doing it impeccably, instead of using tricks in their daily behavior.