For a week in November, I was at the Asha Centre (Flaxley, England) doing the Erasmus+ experience ‘Training Course Rites of Passage: Embracing Change in Ourselves’’. The course was about rituals and the path to maturity.
We did many activities on introspection, to get to know ourselves better and to recognize the things we want to change about ourselves, as well as to know the rituals performed by us and in other countries, to learn the elements needed to perform a ritual, and carry them out.
In addition to time to reflect, we also had time to interpret poetry, play games, sing, listen to stories, wander in the woods…
The Asha Centre is located in the Forest of Dean, away from all villages and highways. It is similar to a cottage, surrounded by gardens and fields; they even have an orchard, from which we got some of the food we ate.
I have highlighted the facilities so much because I think they really helped to contextualize the theme of the Training Course, as nature calls for calmness and reflecting.
This center is very special and welcoming, I felt at home! I look forward to going back, and I recommend to anyone interested in attending a training course among the ones they offer! For the bravest ones, they also offer the possibility of long-term volunteering.
I want to thank Fundació Catalunya Voluntària for giving me the opportunity to complete this Training Course, the Asha Center and its volunteers, for making it so easy for myself and the rest of the exchange participants.
Bless you, all,
Cília Comella Correa