The Quest for Life Foundation in Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is a place where anyone struggling with what its founder Petrea King would call a "D"- death, diagnosis, disaster, drug, dread, disease, depression..... can learn practical self-help life skills to increase their healing potential and build personal resilience.
Recently I was fortunate enough to spend a week at Quest for Life to experience first-hand the work conducted at the centre. The Quest for Life 5 day Program set amidst tranquil grounds is designed for those with chronic and life threatening illness, and although I had neither, this didn't matter. What I and everyone else had was the commonality of humanity, spirit, and a quest for more meaning. Through Petrea's own recovery from disease and insight from healing herself and others, she has devised a safe heart space for peace and to promote meaningful existence by:
As I settled in and started to tap into where I was at, it didn't take long to know that feelings of anxiety had decided to pack its bags and come along too. Initially I was feeling anxious about feeling anxious, but as vulnerabilities, fears, doubts, and terrors were echoed in the faces of the group and as the days passed and stories told, the anxiety seemed to be replaced with solid connection, meaning and a deep soul purpose for living.
I laughed until I cried, I cried until I laughed, and was struck with an overwhelming appreciation for the human spirit and connection for others and ultimately myself. I was glad in the end that my unwelcomed stow away (anxiety) hitched a ride, because ultimately being at "quest for life" is the perfect place to find the tools to better manage those dreaded "D's" and to have greater peace and meaning in our lives.
The centre hosts a number of programs and each program has a slightly different theme, but ultimately the same heart- to offer a place to support spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing, and to help facilitate greater depth and connection amid difficult times. For more information on the other residential programs including "Spirited Women" and "Healing your Life" visit to the Quest for Life Foundation site: http://www.questforlife.com.au/residential-programs
To find more about Quest for Life & Blackmores visit: http://www.blackmores.com.au/quest-for-life
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