Return of the King

3-day retreat (dutch spoken!)
Orval, Belgium

When?

13 - 17 MRT 2025

09 - 12 OKT 2025

Register

What?

Are you looking for your identity as a man? Do you wish to connect strength and vulnerability? Do you know your purpose in life? Do you grapple with your role as a father, a lover, a partner or a son? Very often men can comfortably talk about personal or intimate issues with women, but the connection with men often remains absent or superficial. Many times, this is a consequence of a lack of connection with our fathers. After the war, a full generation of men appeared to be absent emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Which led a lot of men to decide: I'll figure it out for myself. The lonely man was born; the lonesome cowboy.

But oftentimes in life, we figure out that on our own, we're not going to make it. The contact with, support from and the friendship with other men is essential. In this weekend we go on a quest for the missing parts of ourselves - our pain, our power, our talents and our shadow side - and we discover what it means to be a man in this time. Not a bogey or a dolt, not a softie or a macho, but a genuine quest for who we are in our core. You are very welcome at Return of the King. 

Who?

This retreat is suitable for men to which the theme "masculine identity" is relatively new. 

 

But men who have been wanting a deepening in their personal life for a long time and who find it stimulating, inspiring, and fascinating to spend three days with only men, will also generously enjoy this retreat. 

Practical

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

  • EUR 570 in case your yearly net income is lower than EUR 20.00 (proof of income necessary)
  • EUR 770 if your yearly net income is below EUR 40.000 (no business)
  • EUR 990 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. 

Registration

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

13 - 17 MRT 2025 [volzet - wachtlijst]

09 - 12 OKT 2025

05- 08 MRT 2026

26 - 29 NOV 2026

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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