Medicine of Eros: Radical Sexual Empowerment
With Marc Peridis
March 14 - 21, 2024
WHY?
Every act of sexuality is an act of seeking wholeness.
In all its forms, sexuality connects us to our source and our truth.
In the original tantric path that emerged 500 AD, sexuality was used as a way to embody a greater power that we could integrate into our every day lives.
Many of us have lost this connection to sexuality and power. For some, the pressures of growing up gay have led us to compensate by being successful and perfect, leading to a dysmorphia of our bodies that we cover up with sex clouded by substances.
WHAT?
This 8-day course will be a deep process inviting us to peel away these blocks to our own sexual power, to connect with ourselves and others with clarity and authenticity.
It will invite us to awaken the life-creating force within us, and also exploring the true power behind our sexual nature.
This workshop explores the two main aspects of sexuality:
(1) The energy of eros: the life-creating force which exists within each of us, it holds our true life-creating power.
(2) The form of our sexuality: our desires, fantasies, kinks, as well as distortions and dysfunctions that limit us. We will create a space to listen to these and hear the wisdom they can offer us.
HOW?
Our days will include 8-hours of workshops including:
(1) Practices of shamanism, somatic therapy and sacred intimacy. Practices will be individual and will also include partner and group work.
(2) Sharing spaces in which emotional processing and integration of the teachings will take place.
(4) A 24-hour deep dive, a long non-verbal practice of empowerment.
(5) Scene creation: We will create sexual scenes in which you can explore and embody your sexual power.
FOR WHO?
Gay, trans, bisexual, or queer, male-identified bodies of any age, body shape, race.
No previous experience is necessary.
It is intended for participants who are seeking a deep with their self-discovery.
It also tends to attract advanced practitioners who are interested in becoming facilitators, as well as facilitators who are seeking to develop new skills.
Those who are facilitators or interested in becoming facilitators can also join our Sacred Intimacy intensive 2.5-day course to turn this into a facilitator training for you.
WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF OUR POWER?
Our main exploration will focus on the blocks that keep us from experiencing our full sexual power.
We will also explore our sexual patterns and what they can teach us about ourselves.
We will explore topics such as:
Fear and sexual dysfunction. We will explore issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, etc.
Body dysmorphia. We will explore body image issues and how exploring them can allow us to be more empowered.
Chemsex. (sexual encounters combined with drugs), *Please note: while this retreat will discuss topics such as chemsex, it will be a substance-free
KINK 101. We will explore some principles of KINK such as restraints and impact as a way of exploring new dimensions of power.
environment.
Other topics might include: sexual compulsion, porn and app use and the various other blocks that can get in the way of living our sexual power.
Each day will feature 7-8 hours of workshops.
8:30 – Morning energy practice
9:00 – Breakfast
10:00 – Morning workshop
13:00 – Lunch
14:00 – Free time (optional open practice-space in the afternoon)
16:00 – Afternoon workshop
19:00 – Dinner
20:00 – Evening Practice
21:00 – Free time
Please note: Mornings will be silent till breakfast.
WHO IS IT FOR?
- This programme is best suited for men who are on a journey of deep exploration, seeking to achieve great transformation
- Who are seeking to become facilitators or hold space for the transformation of others.
- Experienced facilitators who want to gain new abilities for somatic, energetic or sacred intimacy work to expand their practice.
PLEASE NOTE: this course is open to all queer humans in male-identified bodies. Men of all ages, racial backgrounds, body shapes and sizes are welcome. No Previous experience of this type of work is required. Yet a willingness to go deep is necessary.
- Those seeking a pleasurable / sexual holiday in the company of other men.
- Those seeking to learn mainly about intimacy and sexuality practices with other men.
- Those who are looking to exchange massages and or learn massage techniques.
- Those looking for a place to combine sexuality and drugs.
PLEASE NOTE: We write this with no judgement, but rather with a knowingness that those with these above expectations will be sorely disappointed if they were to join this course.
✔ As your facilitator I will be responsible for maintaining the sense of safety of the group container.
✔ Each participant will also be responsible for their own body, for respecting their desires and boundaries.
✔ Nudity and self/mutual touch, including genital touch will be welcome, however they will not be compulsory. Each participant will be able to decide “how far” they choose to go. While everyone is invited to meet their edges, you will never be asked to go beyond your limits.
✔ Partner practices will be part of the workshop but are not compulsory.
✔ Pairings will be randomly assigned. Therefore participants choosing to participate in partner work must be open to interacting with anyone. Participants however will be able to choose the level of interaction they are comfortable with in any moment, ranging from eye-gazing to more explicit touch and interaction.
✗ The use of consciousness altering substances will not be allowed.
You will be strongly encouraged to switch off all electronics for the duration of the course in order to connect more deeply to nature and to yourself.
Use of electronics will be strictly limited to the bedrooms. Electronics such as phones, iPads or laptops will not be able to be used in any public areas.
✔ Included:
- Accommodations
- 3 meals / day, prepared fresh in our kitchen
- All workshops and practices
- Group Shuttle Airport transfer to and from the Jungle Gayborhood (at specific dates/times)
✗ NOT included:
- Flight
- Any visas that may be required
- All Prices are in USD$
A 50% Deposit payment is required to book your space. The remaining 50% will be processed 30 days prior to the start of the course.
Please note: 13% tax will be added to all costs.
Jungle Gayborhood Retreat Cancellation policy:
- 90+ days prior to the start date of the retreat: Full refund
- 89-30 days: 50% refund
- 29 days or less: No refunds
We know that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes plans need to change, but our cancellation and refund policies are absolute. We recommend trip insurance that includes coverage for cancellations made for any reason. We recommend insurance companies such as: Travel Guard, World Nomad or any other well-known travel insurance company.
SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS
Participants who would like to join the course but are facing financial challenges and difficulties can opt for one of a limited number of scholarship option.
They will be able to access the course at a greatly reduced price. Accommodation will be in a camping tent rather than a cabin.
In order to qualify for this, a participant needs to send us an email speaking of their motivation for joining the course as well as describing the nature of their difficult financial situation.
PRECIO TICO
For Costa Rican nationals we offer a 50% discount on listed prices. Please email hello@junglegayborhood.com for further information. A Costa Rican passport or identity card is required.
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT: The Medicine of Eros and the Jungle Gayborhood aim to inspire personal exploration, radical self expression, and a sense of connection – internally, with community, and with nature. We actively cultivate practices that support these goals by consciously exploring embodiment practices, authentic relating, somatic movement therapy, shamanism and sacred sexuality.
To create a predictable and safe environment conducive to this type of healing, growth, reflection, and expansion, we ask all that come to our home align around these community agreements.
Doggo Notice: We have two very loving and friendly pups – Bodhi & Luna – who live here at the Gayborhood. Aside from the occasional barking spree at incoming cars, they are quiet, harmless, and very sweet. If you have any concerns about dogs being onsite, please reach out to discuss.
Marc is a somatic therapist and shamanic practitioner specialised in the Medicine of eros, healing practices related to eros and sexuality.
His work has two main focuses:
1- Supporting the transmutation of shame, trauma and shadow to power, purpose and mastery.
2- As a teacher’s teacher, he trains facilitators, therapists and teachers by supporting their development of new abilities.
His practices, which are often considered radical, combine talk therapy, with experiential processes involving the soma (the body), energy transmission and sexual explorations.
Interactions can range from gentler ones including soft touch, cuddling and conscious stillness to more radical ones such as dark-room therapy, and re-enacting kinky, taboo and shameful sexual scenarios in healing and conscious ways.
Today, he shares his work through 1-1 sessions, online and in-person, residential and non-residential courses and workshops, and online live and pre-recorded courses.
After spending over a decade training in somatic movement therapy, energy work and sacred sexuality, his own practice emerged as a result of his years spent observing behavioural responses in 1-1 and group therapy sessions worldwide.
As well as being a trained somatic movement therapist, he has also been initiated into shamanism in 2015 and in the Mystery School as a student in 2013 and a guide in 2018.
He is also senior faculty at the Shakti Shiva Academy since 2021.
While his process and practice are open to people of all levels of experience, he tends to work mostly with advanced practitioners, people who are keen to become facilitators, and facilitators wishing to develop new skills.
Photo: The Upper Falls, Jungle Gayborhood, Diamante Valley
PRECIO TICO: For Costa Rican nationals we offer a 50% discount on listed prices. Please email junglegayborhood@gmail.com for further information. A Costa Rican passport or identity card is required.
About the Facilitator
Marc Peridis
Marc is a somatic therapist and shamanic practitioner specialised in the Medicine of Eros, healing practices related to eros and sexuality. His work has two main focuses: First, supporting the transmutation of shame, trauma and shadow to power, purpose and mastery. Second, as a teacher's teacher, he trains facilitators, therapists and teachers by supporting their […]
Learn more about Marc PeridisCategories : All Retreats, Men's GBTQ+ retreats, Sacred Sexuality