On desire: conscious kink, ritual theatre and embodied exploration

The Conscious Castle invites you to join ON DESIRE, a four-day embodied retreat led by Andy Buru, where curiosity, consent and imagination guide explorations of desire. This is a carefully held container for noticing how longing shows up in your body, imagination and relationships — not to fix or solve desire, but to meet it with presence.

What to expect
Across solo journeys, trios, small groups and whole-group rituals you’ll experiment with masks, role-play, ritual scenes and relational practices that make desire visible and tangible. Expect invitations that range from gentle and tender to wild and paradoxical; you choose your level of participation. The work is experiential: movement, improvisation, character play, witnessing and consenting interactions are woven together with reflection and integration circles.

Focus and themes
Bring curiosity about what attracts you, what frightens or shames you, and how social roles shape your wanting. You’ll practice clear communication, boundary-mapping and witnessing others without judgment. The retreat is not about performing a fantasy correctly, nor about giving others permission to touch or expose you. It’s about learning how desire can be held, symbolised and explored within an ethical, consent-based frame.

Format and safety
All invitations are optional. Consent is specific, informed and ongoing; you may decline, pause or adapt any exercise. You may attend alone or with a partner. The program intentionally mixes configurations so you can meet desire as a relational phenomenon beyond fixed couple roles. Respect, confidentiality and personal responsibility are essential agreements.

Practicalities
This is an immersive program with long days. The schedule is: Thu 19:00–22:00; Fri & Sat 10:00–22:00; Sun 10:00–15:00. The retreat is residential in a 13th-century castle near Liège: shared meals, bedrooms and quiet spaces are provided to rest and integrate between sessions. The fee covers the full workshop, three nights’ accommodation, meals, drinks, bed linen and towels. The first sixteen confirmed guests are accommodated in castle rooms; later arrivals stay at the adjoining Conscious Farm with shared bathrooms. Private double rooms may be requested subject to availability; room allocation follows registration order.

To register
Apply with the participant form, pay a €275 deposit (Account holder: D.L. Karijopawiro — IBAN: NL77 SNSB 0941 2552 47) and pay the remainder in cash at the venue. Your place is confirmed only after both form and deposit are received; please verify payment details with the organisers before transferring.

Cancellation
Before 8 September an administration fee of €100 is retained (bank fees may also be deducted). From 8 September the €275 deposit is non-refundable. From 8 October 50% of the total fee will be retained.

If this invitation resonates, you are welcomed to apply and to join Andy Buru at The Conscious Castle for a concentrated, consent-led exploration of desire.