The Art of Mirroring

Mirroring is a practice that involves listening deeply to another person, then giving feedback that heightens insight, self-recognition and the sense of being seen and validated. This workshop will present information and experiential learning about the art of mirroring as a powerful tool to help people undertake and receive the gifts of a rite of passage. We will utilize mirroring in a variety of tasks, including participant assessment, working with ritual, mirroring for intent, use of a confirmation sentence, mirroring solo stories, working with shadow, and the return council.  We’ll also take some time to explore its application in working with youth. This is an experiential training, and each day will include time spent in nature.

The Art of Mirroring will be of interest to those in the helping professions, people training to be rites of passage guides, and anyone interested in using the healing power of nature in their work or personal journey.  It forms part of the Rites of Passage Guide Training Program curriculum.

This five-day program will be held in Shoshone, California at a small rustic center that is nearby to wild and beautiful desert land.  Each day of the program will feature solo assignments in nature, followed by group sessions to practice the skills of mirroring.

This program constitutes a portion of the Rites of Passage training program, which has been in existence for over 35 years.  Please follow this link to read more about the Training Program. This Mirroring workshop may be also taken as a stand-alone event.  It will be of value to wilderness guides, counselors, coaches, nature educators, and anyone in a helping profession.

Rites of passage bring us ever closer to our essential nature and gifts.  Mirroring “blows on the sparks” to help ignite the flame, illuminating the journey.  This poem by Rilke speaks of the journey:

I live my life in growing orbits,
which move out over the things of the world.
Perhaps I can never achieve the last,
but that will be my attempt.

I am circling around God, around the ancient tower,
and I have been circling for a thousand years.
And I still don’t know if I am a falcon,
Or a storm, or a great song.
–Rainer Maria Rilke

Schedule

Program Fees

Tuition*

$795

*Transportation is not included and is the responsibility of the participant.  We will refund your deposit if we cancel the program.

Food & Lodging

$225 Includes meals and rustic, dorm-style lodging during the workshop.  There is also camping available neareby at Shoshone Campground/RV, if you prefer this.

Group meals begin with dinner on Wednesday and conclude with lunch on Sunday. The group may also choose a restaurant meal 1-2 times; this cost is not included.

Travel & Safety

Las Vegas, a two hour drive from Shoshone, is the best airport if you are flying.

We’ll be in close contact at the retreat center, so consider your safety:

• • We’ll be inside together and share cooking and meals
  • It’s best if you are vaccinated

Staff

Mike Bodkin is the Executive Director of Rites of Passage and has trained others to be quest guides for over 35 years.

Susan Wofsy  became a Wilderness Quest guide after working in rural Africa and Latin America for over a decade and seeing the profoundly empowering effects of living intimately with land and nature.