Heart of Men

4-day retreat (english/dutch-spoken)
Orval, Belgium

When?

18 - 22 JUN 2025

Register

What?

"Just Men..." - a gathering with other men that leads to strength, joy, brotherhood, and meaning.How do we stay centered amidst the sea of chaos and change in the world? Where do we find solid ground within ourselves? How do we deal with the emotional, financial, and existential demands of family, relationships, work, and society?

In this four-day retreat, we will explore what it means to be a man in times of crisis and change. We have ample time and space to get to know others and ourselves. We have the opportunity to explore our inner stirrings, have fun, build a fire, dance, or share what keeps us up at night.

The concept

We will be using our unique approach to the Open Space method for our gathering in the beautiful center of Bois le Comte. That means: no fixed program, no underlying agenda. Just being together with men and allowing what wants to emerge to emerge. In addition, we can enjoy 4 days of live music by Vicky and Sven, delicious vegetarian food, and the vast forests of the Ardennes. Are you ready to take a new step? Are you willing to meet the king, lover, warrior, or wild man within yourself?

 

In ancient times, men gathered around the fire to explore what truly occupied them. With Heart of Men, we want to restore that tradition. A gathering and self-inquiry that leads to strength, joy, brotherhood, and meaning.We work from openness and respect for everyone's authority and uniqueness. Heart of Men is not a crash course for success or a manual for a new masculinity dogma. It is a search for what is essential and what touches us deeply. We are good at searching for all the answers to questions we encounter around work, relationships, family, and money on our own. But real strength only arises when we connect with other men. Asking questions together, and listening to the answers together.

Practical

The price is based on full-board accommodation (100% organic and vegetarian) in a four-person room:

  • EUR 660 if net income is less than EUR 20,000 per year (please provide proof of income)
  • EUR 860 if net income is less than EUR 40,000 per year (no business)
  • EUR 1100 if your business is paying or your yearly net income is higher than EUR 40,000 per year.

Single or double room: + 102 euros. A double room is only possible if you register with 2 people. If you pay a price other than the standard price, please choose the ‘I will pay later’ option.

Oost-west centrum Orval

Bois-le-comte 1, 6823 Villers-dt-Orval
Belgium

We always start on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. We say goodbye to each other on Sunday at 4:00 PM at the latest. For exact dates, see registration.

  1. All participants are present from beginning till end. You can only participate for the entire event.

  2. No drugs of any sort are permitted and we like you to limit alcohol, coffee and meat.

  3. The main intention of our work is personal healing and growth.So the fuller you personally engage in the process, the more it might bring to you. 

  4. This retreat will be in English if non-dutch speaking participants are present.Otherwise it will be held in Dutch.

Registration

Registration for these retreats is taken care of by OWC (Oost-West Centrum). Click on your chosen date to register:

18 - 22 JUN 2025

Testimonials of men who went before you

I have done several men's retreats with Ton and Jan. And oftentimes I have thought: "I'm leaving right now!" Every time the retreat called upon me to stand for what is mine. For what I feel is important, for that which is close to my heart, and to bring that to the group. It calls for courage and boldness. And the little child in me often rebels. "You're not going to say something like that!" The connection and brotherhood that grows in just a few days time has brought me so much. Friendships, insights, serenity, more authenticity, ... That I am allowed to be man amongst men in equality.

Armand

I vividly remember my first Heart of Men. To dare to speak in front of all these men that I didn't know, and even more, to be vulnerable in front of other men that I didn't know. To be allowed in such a group that we all grapple with insecurities, doubts, judgements, and the feeling of not being enough. To honor and see each other in those feelings. Without wanting to be right, and without trying to change anything about it. That it is allowed to just be there. That is brotherhood. That is strength. That is authenticity. That is love.

Mich

Years ago I felt a need to 'work with men'. The Return of the King retreat was my first confrontation with myself on a personal level, but also brought me clarity about who I am and what path I travel. After this I participated in Heart of Men a couple times, spread across several years. Every single time I can reach a new depth in myself which results in more balance in who I am and what I stand for. Working with other men, the stories, the experiences, and the openness with which men can and dare to share, are a tremendous added value. Every time is a search for yourself, but once you open up to it, you'll come out a better person and a better man.

Peter Van den Broucke

Confronting, inspiring and enriching all at the same time. To be surrounded by masculine energy is so healing. To be seen and heard without judgement and to be allowed the space to be myself gave a the chance to grow as a person and as a man. Words are insufficient to describe this, you have to experience it.

Ken Devaere

Every time I am impressed by the amount of space that can be created in a men's group by slowing down and intention setting. Pain and confusion are shared there in openness and are allowed to be healed and receive insight. Pure alchemy!

Tim Van Den Broeck

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