The Haven, Gabriola Island

09/12/2025

Everything we do is based on agreements we have made – agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth.” - don Miguel Ruiz

Join us for the The Four Agreements for a Better Life on Gabriola, October 5-9
👉 https://haven.ca/programs-index/13300/four-agreements-for-a-better-life/

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09/10/2025

🌈 New Dates for Couples Alive! 💕
👉 Learn More: https://haven.ca/couples-alive/

Join CrisMarie Campbell & Susan Clarke, October 22-26, for Couples Alive Foundation.

In this 4-day program, you'll learn and practice The Haven’s models for communicating and relating with your partner and learn from the diversity of experience around you. All couples meet together during the day and into the evenings, with breaks for relaxation, connection, or adventure in between.

In addition to group activities, experiential learning, and discussion, the program leaders offer support to each couple with coaching and feedback!

👉 SIGN UP: https://haven.ca/couples-alive/

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09/08/2025

Teens Alive 2026 registration is OPEN! 🎉
👉 https://haven.ca/teens-alive/

"As another Teens Alive program comes to a close, I am truly grateful for the incredible group that came together this summer. From beautiful sunsets and focused reflections to the deep friendships formed, this experience has been one to remember. The sense of connection and community we shared will remain a meaningful part of each of our journeys moving forward." - Annika Raithby, Teens Alive leader

"It was heartening to witness how this widely diverse group of 21 teens, ages 13 to 18, some of whom had not ever participated in a workshop before, showed up, bonded and held respectful and caring space for each other. Their seeking to understand themselves, to navigate the impact of what is occurring in the wider world, and their openness to share with each other was moving. Before departing, several of them let us know that they intend to return next year!" - Linda Nicholls, Teens Alive leader

👉 REGISTER: https://haven.ca/teens-alive/

08/29/2025

Meet the leaders! 🌟

Our September Come Alive is co-facilitated by and Susa Holt, 2 diversely-skilled Haven faculty (bios below!), alongside a team of assistants and interns!

👉 REGISTER for September 21-26: https://haven.ca/programs-index/12962/come-alive/

Ian Curtin, BComm, DipC, specializes in facilitating dialogues within and between organizations, supporting relational leadership and teamwork, and promoting the art of living change. He believes communication habits form the building blocks of family relationships, work teams, and entire organizations. He has been associated with The Haven for 28 years, leading Come Alive and Couples in Conflict. He is a founding member of the The Inner Activist , whose mission is to co-create a learning space that develops compassionate, reflective and responsive leadership in individuals and communities, supporting leaders to skillfully navigate emotions, conflict, power and difference grounded in a commitment to social justice, diversity and equity.

Susa Holt, ND, MA, LMHC, SEP, Dip C, is a Psychotherapist who works with individuals, couples, groups and organizations, seeking meaningful responses to change while deepening capacity for relationships. Her career spans Naturopathic Medicine, Allopathic Medicine, Organizational Design and Counseling Psychology, including Somatic Experiencing trauma work. She first arrived at the Haven in 1985 and became a program leader in 1995. She currently leads Come Alive Programs and has led our Living Alive program, Couples in Conflict, and Self Compassion Workshops.

🌈 JOIN US, September 21-26: https://haven.ca/programs-index/12962/come-alive/

08/19/2025

Potential impacts of Living Alive: Self Awareness on your PROFESSIONAL life...

✔️ "I became a better leader"
✔️ "I could stay grounded in conflict"
✔️ "I had better boundaries"
✔️ "I was able to show up congruently and consistently"
✔️ "I could create and participate in more collaborative work environments"
✔️ "I became comfortable with who I am as a person"
✔️ "I found passion for my work again"
✔️ "I embodied a more sustainable lifestyle"

👩‍💼 These are all results Jo-Ann Kevala, an executive with over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the high-tech and emerging technologies businesses, identified as outcomes of her experience at the Haven.

Tune in to hear from leaders, Louise Amuir and Jo-Ann Kevala, about how this 25-day program can help you shift out of cycles of burnout and stress and into a more satisfying, successful work life!

👉 LEARN MORE: https://haven.ca/living-alive-immersion-programs/

Look out for more videos in this series that speak to different contexts for learning, if professional development is not your goal...

08/16/2025

"Why do I hate myself?"

This is one of those questions keeps coming back to...

👉 Read more: https://haven.ca/why-do-i-hate-myself-louise-amuir/

📸 Cast signing says “You’re loved in the clumsy times too!”

This is one of those questions I keep coming back to, although maybe a better question might be ”how could I do this differently?” I fell a couple days ago and am now sporting a bright pink cast on my right arm. I kind of surprised myself with the amount of invective my inner critic

08/15/2025

Save 50% on Solo Stays & Self-Guided Retreats!
This winter, we're offering 50% off for longer resort guest bookings.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of our campus in cozy season. Soak in our covered oceanfront hot tub, curl up by the fire, book a bodywork treatment, wander the nearby woods.

Email: groups@haven.ca to book.

Tell us how you'd spend your solo time at the Haven for a CHANCE TO WIN a 2-night stay in November!

Would you walk the coastline? Visit Gabriola's village? Sink into a piece of writing or art? We want your inspired ideas for how you might enjoy a self-guided retreat. Email us with your plan!

📸 at The Haven

08/13/2025

Did you know that our Haven interns (folks enrolled in our certificate and diploma programs) gather each summer to connect, learn, and practice skills together? Part of what makes our programs so special is the skilled and abundant support in the room.

Thank you to Louise Amuir, Christina Jane Smith, Jane Kilthei, Graemme Brown, and Linda Lee Nicholls for volunteering your time to guide this great group of interns and future leaders! If you're interested in our intern program, please email morag@haven.ca.

08/11/2025

Come Alive in 2025! 🌟
Our August Come Alive is full, but there is still space in...

September with & Susa Holt
October with Susan Clarke & CrisMarie Campbell
November with Al Chambers &

👉 See Dates: https://haven.ca/come-alive/

08/09/2025

You may have seen a recent CTV article that contains some misinformation about our intentions for programs following the future sale of the property. Our desire is to continue to host programs on the Haven campus through a tenancy arrangement with the new owners.

We are in the process of addressing the issues with this article. Please visit haven.ca/future for new updates and information about the campus sale!

08/07/2025

New! 30% room discount for Living Alive 🌈

We're offering savings on your stay for our 25-day immersion programs this year and next!

Book online or call us at 250.247.9211 x1.

Centre for personal and professional development, resort, and event space on Gabriola Island.

08/05/2025

Celebrating the Life of Joanna Macy – May 2, 1929 – July 19, 2025

"Joanna Rogers Macy – creator and teacher of “The Work that Reconnects”, peace and environmental activist, Buddhist, systems thinker, translator of the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, and so much more, died peacefully in her home, surrounded by those closest to her, on July 19th.

I, Jane Kilthei, had the great privilege to be part of the circle with her at the Haven in October 2009 when she facilitated her Work that Reconnects workshop, as she would say, “to energize both the work of healing the world from the frenzy of industrialized capitalism, and the complementary movements to come home to the true nature of our being, embedded in the web of life”.

With colleagues throughout the world, and the support of her husband Fran Macy, Joanna worked broadly for the protection of the web of life on earth. Her work was enriched by her many related passions, including the Sarvodaya movement for peace in Sri Lanka and Tibetan Buddhist tradition, from which the Work That Reconnects arose.

Her legacy is carried forward by those she trained in this circle work, including Jackie Larkin and Maggie Zeigler who live and facilitate the Work that Reconnects here on BC’s coast, including bringing her work into “Inner Activist” trainings hosted here at the Haven."

For more about her life, work, her books and many other resource she has gifted us with, as well as the online celebrations coming up on August 5th: https://workthatreconnects.org/joanna-macy-in-memoriam/

📸 at The Haven

The Haven is a not-for-profit centre for transformative learning on Gabriola Island. Join us for deep healing, personal growth, and professional development.