Teachers/guides Frank Coppieters, Ph.D. and Kathy Melcher-Coppieters, LCSW with the esteemed assistance of Reiki Master Rita Helsen and a labyrinth walk with Dr. Lauren Artress (the renowned specialist of the labyrinth and founder of Veriditas, the world-wide Labyrinth Project).

Frank and Kathy have been leading international groups in Chartres for quite a few years and last year added Vézelay to this trip. Once again we are offering this unique combination. We collaborate with Veriditas but our groups will be separate except for the walking of the Chartres labyrinth. As in the past our group will be mostly composed of Belgians, Americans and a few Dutch. There is great joy in this intercultural mix. 

Walking in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene in Vézelay (Sept 8-11, '08)

Vézelay in Burgundy is a beautiful medieval town with a population of only 600 people. It possesses an incredible masterpiece of French Romanesque architecture in the basilica (c.1145) dedicated to Mary Magdalene. It is a building that is made of stone and light and is the largest monastic church in France. From here Bernard of Clairvaux proclaimed the Second Crusade. In the Middle Ages this was one of the most popular pilgrimage places of Christianity since it had some relics of Mary Magdalene. We will meditate in the sacred grotto dedicated to her.

Also on the program: a special visit to the famous D’Arcy-sur-Cure caves (www.grottes-arcy.net) about half an hour away which have shamanic paintings in them which date back 30,000 years ago and were only discovered in 1990. There is an effortless walk of a little over half a mile revealing 11 caverns with stalagmites, an ideal place to experience the shamanic dream time.

Initiation in the Mystical Cathedral of Chartres (Sept 11-14, 08)

The world famous Gothic cathedral of Chartres with its stained glass windows (dating from 1210-1260 and miraculously protected during World War II) and its mysterious labyrinth is one of the most powerful transformation places on the planet. The site of the cathedral was a Celtic space prior to its construction on behalf of the Catholic Church by medieval Masons. The Knights Templars were closely involved in Chartres’ evolution. The cathedral is not only a very moving work of art but also an esoteric container where the builders/initiates/masters constructed a temple based on the principles of sacred geometry.

In the past in our retreats each participant has received here special and enduring gifts. Our focus is an opening of the heart to allow the initiation energy of Divine Mother (in the form of 2 Black Madonnas) to resonate deeply in all the cells of the body.

In our work we alternate time in the cathedral with gatherings in our seminar space (just adjacent to the cathedral). The morning meditations, with inspired guidance, take place in a beautiful chapel. There will be one or two shamanic journeys and energetic healing sessions. No prior knowledge in the healing arts is required.

Through our collaboration with Veriditas we will be able to walk the labyrinth after closing hours. This is the experience of a lifetime. Dr Lauren Artress sets the scene and takes us on a processional path from the North Porch. We sit for awhile underneath the cathedral in front of the Black Madonna. Then we emerge onto the labyrinth with hundreds and hundreds of lit candles, live medieval music and enough time for everyone to do the sacred walk – all of this unforgettable!

The members of our teaching faculty:
Frank Coppieters,Ph.D. is a spiritual teacher and author of “Handbook for the Evolving Heart” and co-author of the CD “I Am Calling You”. He is also a shaman, energetic healer and Reiki Master.

Kathy Melcher-Coppieters,LCSW is specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy with a meditative emphasis and is a Reiki Master. Frank and Kathy have been married for 23 years, run the Living Light Center, and teach transformative workshops in Europe and the States. They always make sure that every participant feels safe and honored. They balance deep experiential work with compassionate understanding.

Rita Helsen is a Reiki Master and energy healer, a gifted chantress of mantras and a joyful mover and shaker of sacred energy.

Dr. Lauren Artress is the author of the highly acclaimed “Walking a Sacred Path. Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice.”

The language of the retreat will be in English with Dutch translation provided when needed.

Registration/Payment: Payments should be sent by check and made out to Frank Coppieters, 5440 SW Florida Street, Portland, OR 97219. We would like to receive your non-refundable deposit of 325 euros as soon as possible so we can hold your lodging places. The balance of 900 euros is due by July 25^th. We welcome early payment and can give no refunds after August 1^st. All dollar payments will be converted at the official exchange rate of the day we receive it.

The payment covers a double occupancy room, breakfast, basilica tour, cave tour and entrance, bus from Vézelay to Chartres, roof and cathedral tour in Chartres and Saturday night dinner. It does NOT include a donation for the private labyrinth walk.

Transportation: We have chartered a bus to take us to the caves and also for the transportation from Vézelay to Chartres. You are responsible for the rest but we are happy to provide you with travel information and possibly with fellow travelers.

Lodging: In Vézelay we are staying in the nicest hotel (Hôtel La Poste et Lion d’Or). In Chartres we stay in the Hôtellerie Saint-Yves (www.maison-st-yves.com) which is a historic site immediately next to the Cathedral gardens and is a very quiet site.