Cultivating leadership, purpose and Wellbeing in turbulent times
with Julia Kim and Jim Drescher
in the natural landscape of Windhorse Farm
in the natural landscape of Windhorse Farm
• If you are concerned about our current global crisis of leadership and are wondering what “ordinary citizens” can do in service of healing ourselves and our communities
• If you are committed to making positive change in the world, however small - and would like to start where you are
• If you believe that stress and burnout do not have to be occupational hazards and that balanced and thriving individuals can help to create a balanced and thriving society
Join us for this retreat ~ July 30 - August 2
At a time of unprecedented social, economic, and environmental crisis, many of us are starting to deeply question the models of leadership currently embodied by those holding formal positions of power. What does this mean for the rest of us? What would it look like if we were to step into our own power, and to cultivate our rich potential for self-leadership, as we confront the stark challenges facing ourselves, our communities, and our endangered planet? Starting from our own immediate spheres of influence – our families, communities, and places of work, how can we cultivate a sense of purpose that serves our highest aspirations, and contributes to the wellbeing of ourselves and others?
“What we need is not a leader to lead the masses, we need leadership of the self.” In the Himalayan country of Bhutan, the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was introduced in the 1970s and is now attracting growing international attention. GNH draws inspiration from the Buddhist “middle path” of sustaining a balanced and equitable development - one that honors both the material and spiritual aspects of wellbeing. GNH challenges us to ask, what is the purpose of human development - and argues that rather than pursuing unsustainable and inequitable economic growth, development should serve the happiness and wellbeing of all life.
Join us as we explore how the values, principles, and practices of GNH can provide a powerful framework for supporting personal and collective wellbeing. We will also explore how 3 critical dimensions of self-leadership (open mind, open heart, and open will) can be cultivated and practiced, in service of healing and stepping up to face the challenges of our times. The relevance of GNH in shaping deep personal transformation, leadership, and organizational change will be highlighted. This retreat is ideal for those who recognize the importance of purpose, values and the practices of leadership as a path of healing. OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU:• Explore some of the underlying causes of our current crisis in wellbeing - as well as the growing scientific research on happiness and wellbeing (e.g. neuroscience, positive psychology, social epidemiology and behavioural economics.) • Clarify your own leadership journey and experience how inner leadership practices such as meditation, deep listening, and connecting in nature can be a foundation for cultivating curiosity, compassion and courage in the face of uncertainty and change. • Learn about Bhutan and Gross National Happiness (GNH) – and how this Himalayan country’s innovative approach to measuring happiness is being applied to promote human flourishing and ecological sustainability – and how these can be applied at personal, community, and organizational levels • Explore how such innovative wellbeing approaches are beginning to take root in Canada and internationally 
During our weekend together, and hosted by the natural beauty of Windhorse, we will take the time to rediscover and nourish our own sources of personal resilience and wellbeing. We will explore what happiness means to us at personal and collective levels, and practice the leadership skills needed to deepen holistic wellbeing in service of people and planet.
This program will be an ideal introduction and deep dive into GNH. For those who are interested in the extended program, which takes place in both Bhutan and Windhorse Farm, this will be a rewarding way to begin. (The Right Livelihood and GNH Program begins online in November. |
Dr. Julia Kim
Dr Julia Kim is a leading expert in global health, wellbeing, and sustainable development, and the Program Director of the Gross National Happiness Centre in Bhutan.
Julia joined the GNH Centre Bhutan in 2013, after serving as a member of the International Expert Working Group for a New Development Paradigm. She previously worked as a physician & HIV researcher in Africa and Asia, before joining the United Nations (UNDP and UNICEF) in New York. Julia brings a background in leadership development, policy and research in the fields of wellbeing economics, global health and sustainable development. She is a member of the Club of Rome and an associate of the Presencing Institute – a global network that views the integration of awareness-based practices as a core capacity of 21st-century innovation and leadership. 
Jim Drescher
In his 50 years as an entrepreneur, Jim has experienced success and failure, and he has discovered that great learning comes from both. He is a naturalist with a Master's Degree in Ecology to support his seven decades of nature observation. As a forester, farmer, construction worker and business person, he has considerable experience in how things are built — and how they grow naturally. As a student, practitioner and teacher of mindfulness-awareness meditation, he knows inner leadership work. For the past 30 years, Windhorse Farm has been his practice ground: in business, in community and in the rocks and flowing water of a pristine forested landscape. Along with his generous and insightful collaborators, he has been offering programs in "Nothing Missing Leadership", which explore the world-view and embodiment practices of leadership as a path of healing - for ourselves, for others and for the Land. |
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THURSDAY, JULY 30th to
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2nd Arrival: Between 4 & 5 pm Thursday Departure: Between 1:30 & 2:30 pm Sunday For reservation details, contact register@windhorsefarm.org $750 plus 15% HST
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Registration fee includes three night's accommodation in Juniper Lodge, all meals, snacks, coffee, tea and any supplies required for the rituals and activities. Our time together will be structured yet flexible, with independent quiet time built in. You will always have the option of skipping an activity if there's something else you need more.
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