Awakening to Life Intensive
Awakening to Life Intensive is a 6’5 day intensive experiential retreat, established by “the two Roberts” - Robert Gonzales and Robert Kržišnik, both world renowned Nonviolent Communication trainers, who recently passed away. Based on the Enlightenment Intensives, they created a format to support people to deepen their self exploration and connection, mainly based on dyad meditations.
The retreat offers the opportunity to direct experiencing, sensing and being; embodying our deepest authenticity; venturing beyond head-centered thinking; reclaim wholeness and witnessing the Mystery of existence unfold.
The retreat will be held by Jürgen Engel & Iris Bawidamann:
“Are you familiar with the Dyad meditation process and want to take the next step, fully immersing yourself in presence, connection with your true self, and encountering life in all its beauty and intensity? The Awakening to Life Intensive offers the opportunity to dive deeper and fly higher than you may have experienced in other formats and contexts.
Both of us, Iris and Jürgen, are deeply grateful that the founders of Awakening to Life Intensive, Robert Gonzales and Robert Kržišnik, passed on their wisdom, deep intentions, and experiences to us. As both have passed away, it is a great honor for us to continue this work.
It is extremely important and meaningful to us to honor both Roberts for their deep exploration of life and spirituality and for creating the Awakening to Life Intensive retreats. Many thanks to both for creating this friendship, sharing these gifts with us, and inviting us to join them on this journey!”
Hear and see what Robert Gonzales says about the retreat: VIDEO
And the two Roberts’: Robert Gonzales and Robert Kržišnik interview about the retreat: VIDEO
“We, the Roberts ;-), are not only connected by our first names, but also by our core yearnings to let Life flow fully; by the work we do to support and enhance evolutionary processes; and by our spiritual histories that in both cases started off with Enlightenment Intensives, continued through various meditation practices and ultimately embraced the spiritual core of Nonviolent Communication. We are both very excited and passionate about having created these intensive retreats, in which we, as a community, witness and support the embodiment of our deepest authenticity. We fully agree with participants of the pilot Awakening to Life Intensive in 2014, who said that it was a retreat to „live and die for“.”
THE FORMAT OF THE RETREAT: The main focus of the retreat will be on direct experiencing primarily through dyad work but also through individual and group processes, including body-work and integration time in the nature. Facilitators will be there not to teach, but to offer guidance and support. Language of the retreat: English.
Intensity and dedication This retreat will be held as a sacred time for our deepest Self. By „intensive retreat“ we mean that: – we will be working from around 7:00 in the morning to around 22:00 in the evening; – we ask you to refrain from using internet – including e-mail – and telephones, unless absolutely urgent, for the duration of the entire retreat; – we will be inviting you to, during breaks and free time, keep your intention and focus on conscious inquiry into the deepest authenticity (rather than engaging in casual socializing).
Accepting what is This is not a self-improvement workshop, in which certain aspects of ourselves would be perceived as needing change, fixing, healing. The participants will be continuously encouraged to experience and embrace the Whole, rather than move from an „imperfect“ state to a „better“ one.
Courage and openness
This week can be challenging in many ways. You may sometimes feel tired and frustrated, in complete bliss and presence, or in any other state imaginable. Challenging, painful, and sad parts may surface and want to be seen, held, and integrated. Powerful, exciting, and wild parts may also emerge— all of life will be welcome. It’s not about constantly ‚feeling good‘ but about embracing whatever arises. You will need courage and a clear decision to fully commit to this process.
Pre-requirements While this is not a classical Nonviolent Communication training, basic Nonviolent Communication skills of honest self-expression, empathic listening and self-empathy are required.
Experience with meditation or deep personal processes, the capacity for self-regulation, honest self-expression, empathetic listening, and self-empathy.
We ask for the following prior experience:
at least four (4) full days of training in Nonviolent Communication with a CNVC-certified trainer, and
experience with multi-day dyad retreats.
You don’t meet all the requirements but still want to participate? Please contact us before registering. Since this is a very special format, we want to ensure that all registrants are fully aware of what the Awakening to Life Intensive entails beforehand.
Language: The working language of the retreat will be English.
Number of Participants The number of participants for this seminar is limited.
Venue: Hotel Rute Eco Resort***, Gozd Martuljek, Kranjska gora, Slovenija
Address: Zgornje Rute 40a, 4282 Gozd Martuljek
T: +386 (0)31 644 209
E: info@hotelrute.si
Gozd Martuljek is a small settlement of some 40 houses near Kranjska gora, the world – cup ski resort in the The Upper Sava Valley. The valley is one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys, in the north-west part of Slovenia, right next to the tri-border with Austria and Italy. It is surrounded by large forests, mountains, and two rivers. The venue, Hotel Rute Eco Resort***, is a small, family run hotel that has been recently renovated, close to river Pišnica and under beautiful Špik mountain. The trekking paths near the hotel lead to three waterfalls of Martuljek.
Timing The retreat starts on Saturday, October 11, 2025 with dinner at 18.00 (6pm) The retreat ends on Saturday, October 18, 2025 with lunch at 14.00 (2:00pm).
NB: Due to the intensive and immersive nature of this experience, it is essential to be present for the entire duration of the retreat. Late arrivals or early departures are not possible.
Costs The costs for this event are flexible, to be close to your capabilities. Choose your contribution on a scale between €1550,- and €550,-. Want to learn more about our flexible pricing model? Please get in touch with us to explain.
Room & board at Hotel Rute: depending on your choice of room the Hotel Rute offers a wide range of rooms and price options depending on your budget. Prices for full room & board start at 65,- € or 60,- € per day in multiple bedrooms (3-4 beds) or 70,- € per double room or 85,- € per single room. Please book your accommodation directly at the venue: info@hotelrute.si with specification about the room type and also any food requirements you might have.
The price of the room includes vegetarian full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Hotel Rute prefers immediate payment after booking your room.
REGISTRATION Please click here to register
RETREAT FACILITATORS: Jürgen Engel & Iris Bawidamann
Iris dreams of a world where every person does what brings them joy and energy. Each of her offerings is a step in that direction. For her, the greatest appreciation is when participants‘ eyes light up because their daily lives have become easier, more connected, and more joyful through what they’ve experienced. In the past 25 years, she has led thousands of seminar days on local, national, and international levels. In addition to Nonviolent Communication and Living Compassion, participation and diversity are her passions. Jürgen’s lifeblood is seminars, the place where he thrives, feels alive, and can best celebrate and share his passion and enthusiasm for content and life. Over 500 seminar days in the past 15 years with Marshall Rosenberg, Robert Gonzales, and dozens of other trainers from around the world form the foundation of his training. Systemic counseling and therapy complete his holistic approach and perspective. For him, Nonviolent Communication primarily means a deep and authentic connection with one’s own vitality. Intense, non-judgmental awareness of one’s feelings and needs, along with powerful clarity and the ability to take action in everyday life.
TESTIMONIALS This is what participants from the previous Awakening to Life Intensives say about the experience:
“The retreat helped me come closer to myself, I feel more connected to what life is “really” about. It is an invaluable help on this path and I will be there soon again!” Marcus Thies from Germany
“The retreat helped me to authentically connect with myself, it has broadened my sense of identity and was a catalyst for significant development in several areas in my life.” Sietse Sterrenburg from The Netherlands
“The awakening to life intensive process allows one to flow with life as it is while avoiding obstacles one might encounter with other transformative work. Feel deeply into my own presence! Wonderful.” Michael G. from the USA