Transformational Teachings for Women, a 7-Day Retreat with Livia Kohn and Amara Charles

A professor friend of mine who teaches at Arizona State University asked Livia Kohn and I to give a set of class lectures to students in his Medicine Culture, Healing and Learning Community course. Livia presented one class lecture on longevity and I gave another on the topic of sacred sexuality from a Taoist perspective.

Since I had never given a class to young university students and Livia has been presenting for many years, I really wanted to attend her lecture, but was out of town that day. So my professor friend arranged a dinner with Livia and her husband so that we could finally get a chance to meet each other in person while she was in town. It was a lovely evening of good food and fantastic conversation. For one thing, she takes small groups of people to Japan, Vietnam or China every year and I definitely would love to go where she goes! My first impression of her was that she is charming, gracious, simple and wise.

I had read a few of her books, most recently, Women in Daoism (co-authored with Catherine Despeux) and was most impressed by her profound passion for the subject as well as the depth of her personal experience with Daoism. Meeting her however was even more interesting than reading her books. We had a great time laughing and telling stories about our lives.

Here is the moment I knew I liked her a lot. She had tenure at Boston University and gave it up - walked away! I asked her why, and she said she couldn’t go on teaching what she already had been teaching - she wanted to broaden her understanding and teach a variety of subjects rather than the same course again and again. A woman after my own heart…

I somewhat sheepishly showed her my book Sexual Agreements (she had already written something like twenty books). I wasn’t really sure where she stood with regards to sexuality. After a glance and a speed read, she said liked it (phew). It turns out she is quite open, curious and well versed on the subject of spiritual sexuality.

It is always a good night when you can laugh, relax and share bits about sex without getting too serious. We got along splendidly, and by the end of the night Livia and I were talking about doing something together at her retreat center in New Mexico.  I really enjoyed meeting her husband too. Of course, he is brilliant in his own right… plus, he is hilarious!

Since then, I have visited her New Mexico Retreat Center. She and her husband have created a remarkable place, a sanctuary. Spacious and serene, the house sits perched up high, overlooking a vast valley of rolling hills and sky. A perfect place to unravel, study and restore your body and spirit. I loved the feeling of heaven and earth meeting, loved the the little town; every detail of our visit kept inviting me to return.

I am are delighted and honored to visit this sacred space once again, invited to teach and begin something new there in presenting the Transformational Teachings for Women with Livia Kohn. I also look forward to sharing and basking in the wisdom of this extraordinary woman…

About the April 25 - May 2 New Mexico Retreat:

I am excited about what we have planned and also about the spontaneous opportunities that will no doubt manifest. The coming together of Livia’s profound scholarship and the wealth of her life’s experience along with my many years of practicing and teaching spiritual sexuality will make this 7-day retreat a most remarkable combination. Livia will present the historical context of women in Daoism, sharing knowledge of the transformational practices women have used to cultivate themselves for thousands of years.

I will present the Daoist feminine methods of healing and restoring your spiritual sexual energy. Each day we will share meditation, qigong, exercise and teachings in honor of the Mysterious Female. Plus, we will share in the preparation and consumption of Daoist-inspired meals and tea, take walks and enjoying each other’s company. Both Livia and I are big fans of living what you teach. We want you to return home inspired to make these teachings come alive as an integral part of your daily life from this point on.

Click for a pdf flyer with registration details.

Another recent book by Livia Kohn:  Chinese Healing Exercises: The Tradition of Daoyin