Our introductory training retreats explore of the Soldier’s Heart Model of transformation from war veteran to Spiritual Warrior. This retreat will give participants a comprehensive understanding of the inner world of those who have experienced combat and military culture and the essential role of community in the re-integration process. Participants will gain an understanding of the Necessities of Return and the role of the Sacred Witness. They will learn how to implement these ideas in their professional practice or their personal relations.

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Introductory training retreats are intended for those who are familiar with the Soldier’s Heart approach, either because they have

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• attended a Soldier’s Heart healing retreat

• attended a Soldier’s Heart workshop, lecture, or training

• and/or read War and the Soul or Warrior’s Return.

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The retreats are designed for those who are working with or training to work with the military or veterans and/or their families in a counseling, clerical, teaching, mentoring, or community support capacity. The training is for counseling professionals AND concerned community members who are willing to provide what we call “accompaniment” to veterans on the ongoing return journey.

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The invisible inner world of military service and combat and the universal dimensions of warriorhood and war wounding are the most critical yet most neglected dimensions of warrior study. They are revealed through survivor testimony, world history, mythology, archetypal psychology, and cross-cultural and international efforts.

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Soldier’s Heart advanced intensive training retreats, for survivors and practitioners who are advanced in their war healing work, will address PTSD as primarily wounding to the warrior’s identity and soul and to the social fabric of the community and nation. Correctly and directly addressing these wounds brings healing to soul, restoration of self and society and meaning to the tragedies.

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We will review the Soldier’s Heart model for guiding the warrior on this spiritual journey. We will share and process our own stories and those of other survivors the world over to understand how to hear what the symptoms of war wounding are telling us, rebuild veterans’ identities, shrink trauma, and restore wounded dimensions of soul and world. For every topic, we will explore, share, process for ourselves and integrate for the wisdom necessary to guide warriors home.

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Topics will include:

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• Transformation from Horror to Transcendence

• War and Military Service as a Sacred Arena

• War and War Healing in the Bible

• A Holistic Understanding of PTSD

• Moral Injury and Recovery

• The Warrior’s Path Home

• Transforming and Blessing the Journey

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These retreats are for troops and veterans, trauma healers, care providers, family members and concerned citizens with significant experience at Soldier’s Heart events and with the military/veteran communities. Attendance at a Soldier’s Heart retreat and previous training are required.