Beyond Duality: Healing Wisdom and Ceremony for Personal Health and Well-being

Join ceremonial leader and wisdom carrier Erika Gagnon on a sacred journey to look beyond the false duality of a divided self and the destructive concepts of “self versus other” and “self versus nature” to rediscover how to live in harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.

We live on a constant spectrum of choice between polarities, Black/White, Night/Day, Earth/Sky, Happiness/Sadness, Yin/Yang, Masculine/Feminine, Active/Passive. If you believe these are opposites — choices between one or the other — a separation occurs that can eventually lead to conflict. But if we understand that none of these can exist without their counterparts, we realize they are not opposites but complementary aspects.  When we understand we are the wholeness that encompasses our dual nature, we move beyond duality into unity.

How can we identify what is out of balance, both within us and in our lives? What emotions, memories, and old patterns are keeping us stuck or are no longer serving us? How can we identify the social, cultural, racial, religious, and historical energies influencing our lives? 

Over the course of the workshop, we will engage with healing wisdom, practices, and ceremonies to honor our gifts and continue to heal our wounds. You will have the opportunity to participate in three traditional healing ceremonies. 

You will be offered tools to transform trauma and unhealthy patterns and realign body, mind, spirit, and soul as we explore the origins of dis-ease in our physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual bodies. Reconnect to your authentic wisdom and power as you find the balance within. From that wholeness, reconnect to the natural and spiritual elements of this planet in gratitude for all that we experience in life.  

Note: Please bring a journal and items for our altar, including photographs of loved ones and ancestors and sacred objects that have meaning for you.

Special Note on Gift Economy: For this workshop, Esalen will not be collecting the typical leader fees. Erika embraces the tradition of the gift economy and reciprocity. Her compensation will be self-determined by each attendee. At the end of the workshop, participants will offer a donation amount that reflects their feelings of gratitude, value, and desire to support Erika and her ongoing work.

BIPOC SCHOLARSHIP:  Erika has established a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of color) scholarship for her workshops. For more information on receiving one to participate or to make a donation to support this scholarship, please contact her at info@erikagagnon.com