“Spirit of Life is a centre which is completely of our time, combining the very best of holistic healing within a very inspirational setting. I congratulate Kerry and the team on taking this leap of faith in setting up the Centre and I know that many will find the deeper healing they seek at the Spirit of Life Centre.”
Dr Rosy Daniels MD
Author of ‘healing foods’ and campaigner for integrated medicine.
spiritoflife
Course Information
Dream Healing Pilgrimage
Course Type: Pilgrimage
Course leaders: Kyriacos Barbera
Dream Healing Pilgrimage
A modern day pilgrimage for those looking for deeper answers and searching for deeper healing. Our Dream healing pilgrimage brings the ancient principles of dream healing and holistic health into the modern world.
During the pilgrimage we will visit both ancient and modern holy sites, immersing ourselves in their mysteries and opening up to new possibilities.
Time spent at the Spirit of Life Centre will allow us to explore and experience deeper aspects of ourselves. Using the mediums of quiet contemplation and prayer, being in and with Nature, laughing, sharing good food and company, music, movement and of course becoming aware of our day dreams, night dreams and intuitive insights.
Our Pilgrimage
A healing pilgrimage visiting Athens, Epidavros, Corinth, Messini and Mystras. You will experience the healing energy of these special and holy places. It was in these temples dedicated to Asklepius (or Asclepius), the gentle Greek god of healing, that the first Therapeutes (therapists) used a holistic mind, body and spirit approach to health. We will explore the myths of Asklepius, whose healing cult survived for over 2000 years. We will create our own dream healing experience using these time honoured truths.
Itinary:
• Day 1. Arrive Athens. Welcome dinner and overnight stay.
• Day 2. Visit Acropolis and healing sanctuary. Travel to Ancient Corinth and Asklepion. Overnight stay Epidavros.
• Day 3. Explore Epidavros and healing sanctuary. Visit Mystras via Sparta. On to Spirit of Life Centre.
• Days 4 - 8. Experiential dream worh at Sol. Visits to ancient Messini and other local sites / shrines.
• Day 9. Epidavros visiting shrine and theatre, overnight stay and farewell dinner.
• Day 10. Visit Corinth and depart Athens.
Asklepius and dream healing.
The Greeks had a wonderful marriage of science and the miraculous (or that which is beyond the rational). When somebody could not be cured by their modern medicine, the physician would acknowledge this and would then look towards the gods and Asklepius in particular.
Asklepius was the Greek god of healing. His healing sanctuaries were found throughout the known Hellenic world. This tradition was active for almost 2000 years from around 1300 BCE to 500CE. In times of illness and when the physician was unable to help, one would turn to Asklepius for healing. Healing would come about through a visitation of the healing god (or one of his totems - the dog or snake) in a dream. The dream would then result in a spontaneous healing or an indication of what had to be done or undone to bring about healing.
These healing sanctuaries were called Asklepions. People would go on a pilgrimage to these centres. They would be offered bodywork, hydrotherapy, psychotherapy, good food and changes in diet. They also enjoyed theatre, music and poetry (non-rational forms of healing which can touch on a very deep soul level). Undoubtedly all the ancient Asclepions were in very beautiful natural settings that can also inspire on a very deep level.
When the temple Therapeutes (therapists) considered a person was ready, they would be introduced to the Abaton. The Abaton was an incubation room where the patient would pray to the god, and sleep - expecting a visitation from Asklepius in their dreams. At first the Abaton were just holy caves but later they were found within the temple. The patients’ cure would be spontaneous or the answer to their healing would be found within the dream. The illnesses cured were recorded on the thousands of votive offerings that were presented to the temples.
In many ways the life of Asclepius was a mirror of the life of Jesus. Like Jesus, Asklepius was a mortal, a healer born of a mortal woman and divine father. He was killed only to rise and became divine.
The Christian church incorporated many of the rituals around Asklepius. In the Greek Orthodox Church even now, votive offerings are presented to particular healing saints, the Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ. Dreams are still held in high regard in Greek folk culture.
Modern dream healing does not mean that you have to become a believer in Pagan gods. Each individual can pray to the healing benevolent god of our own beliefs. The principles of Asklepial healing are universal truths: Surrounding ourselves with things and people that nurture our soul. Slowing down the pace and style of our lives. Immersing ourselves in beauty - nature, music, theatre and art. All these can touch us at a very deep level and can be both cathartic and healing. These are all essential steps in the healing process.
Once you commit yourself to the dream healing pilgrimage then from that moment you start your journey of healing.
A modern day pilgrimage for those looking for deeper answers and searching for deeper healing. Our Dream healing pilgrimage brings the ancient principles of dream healing and holistic health into the modern world.
During the pilgrimage we will visit both ancient and modern holy sites, immersing ourselves in their mysteries and opening up to new possibilities.
Time spent at the Spirit of Life Centre will allow us to explore and experience deeper aspects of ourselves. Using the mediums of quiet contemplation and prayer, being in and with Nature, laughing, sharing good food and company, music, movement and of course becoming aware of our day dreams, night dreams and intuitive insights.
Our Pilgrimage
A healing pilgrimage visiting Athens, Epidavros, Corinth, Messini and Mystras. You will experience the healing energy of these special and holy places. It was in these temples dedicated to Asklepius (or Asclepius), the gentle Greek god of healing, that the first Therapeutes (therapists) used a holistic mind, body and spirit approach to health. We will explore the myths of Asklepius, whose healing cult survived for over 2000 years. We will create our own dream healing experience using these time honoured truths.
Itinary:
• Day 1. Arrive Athens. Welcome dinner and overnight stay.
• Day 2. Visit Acropolis and healing sanctuary. Travel to Ancient Corinth and Asklepion. Overnight stay Epidavros.
• Day 3. Explore Epidavros and healing sanctuary. Visit Mystras via Sparta. On to Spirit of Life Centre.
• Days 4 - 8. Experiential dream worh at Sol. Visits to ancient Messini and other local sites / shrines.
• Day 9. Epidavros visiting shrine and theatre, overnight stay and farewell dinner.
• Day 10. Visit Corinth and depart Athens.
Asklepius and dream healing.
The Greeks had a wonderful marriage of science and the miraculous (or that which is beyond the rational). When somebody could not be cured by their modern medicine, the physician would acknowledge this and would then look towards the gods and Asklepius in particular.
Asklepius was the Greek god of healing. His healing sanctuaries were found throughout the known Hellenic world. This tradition was active for almost 2000 years from around 1300 BCE to 500CE. In times of illness and when the physician was unable to help, one would turn to Asklepius for healing. Healing would come about through a visitation of the healing god (or one of his totems - the dog or snake) in a dream. The dream would then result in a spontaneous healing or an indication of what had to be done or undone to bring about healing.
These healing sanctuaries were called Asklepions. People would go on a pilgrimage to these centres. They would be offered bodywork, hydrotherapy, psychotherapy, good food and changes in diet. They also enjoyed theatre, music and poetry (non-rational forms of healing which can touch on a very deep soul level). Undoubtedly all the ancient Asclepions were in very beautiful natural settings that can also inspire on a very deep level.
When the temple Therapeutes (therapists) considered a person was ready, they would be introduced to the Abaton. The Abaton was an incubation room where the patient would pray to the god, and sleep - expecting a visitation from Asklepius in their dreams. At first the Abaton were just holy caves but later they were found within the temple. The patients’ cure would be spontaneous or the answer to their healing would be found within the dream. The illnesses cured were recorded on the thousands of votive offerings that were presented to the temples.
In many ways the life of Asclepius was a mirror of the life of Jesus. Like Jesus, Asklepius was a mortal, a healer born of a mortal woman and divine father. He was killed only to rise and became divine.
The Christian church incorporated many of the rituals around Asklepius. In the Greek Orthodox Church even now, votive offerings are presented to particular healing saints, the Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ. Dreams are still held in high regard in Greek folk culture.
Modern dream healing does not mean that you have to become a believer in Pagan gods. Each individual can pray to the healing benevolent god of our own beliefs. The principles of Asklepial healing are universal truths: Surrounding ourselves with things and people that nurture our soul. Slowing down the pace and style of our lives. Immersing ourselves in beauty - nature, music, theatre and art. All these can touch us at a very deep level and can be both cathartic and healing. These are all essential steps in the healing process.
Once you commit yourself to the dream healing pilgrimage then from that moment you start your journey of healing.
Kindred Spirit Dream Healing Issue 64
Sources:
1 Asclepius collection and interpretation of the testimonies - Emma and Ludwig Edestein.
2 The practise of dream healing - Edward Tick.
“Change is not the answer - simply add JOY”.
“Spirit of Life is doing a valuable job in resurrecting Dream Healing in a form which is perfectly relevant to today’s needs”.
“...It’s an astonishing experience, difficult to describe, impossible to forget”.
1 Asclepius collection and interpretation of the testimonies - Emma and Ludwig Edestein.
2 The practise of dream healing - Edward Tick.
