Path & Portal

What if your worst moment became your greatest teacher? Picture this: You're replaying that conversation in your head again—the one where you snapped, shut down, or said something you immediately regretted. Your inner critic has a field day: “Why did I say that?” “If only my boss hadn’t used those exact words.” “If only things weren’t as hard everywhere as they are right now!

Sound familiar? Welcome to the world of High Stakes Reactivity—those lightning-strike moments when we're hijacked by old patterns and find ourselves speaking with a voice we don’t like or hiding from conflict.

The Hidden Map of Your Reactions

What if that cringe-worthy moment isn't a character flaw but a portal? Every explosive reaction, every people-pleasing surrender, every protective scramble is actually a portal to an old story—a formative experience that you internalized into a narrative or path, one so deep it’s become a default reaction. When psychologist David Kantor described High Stakes situations as moments that "provoke an almost involuntary response," he wasn't just talking about stress. He was pointing to those times when you're no longer the guide or mapmaker of your own story.

In these moments, you're not creative—you're subjected. Not free—you're reactive.

Your Portal Awaits

This workshop is an exploration of a new path, using your most challenging recent moment as a portal to excavate the old internal narrative, the one that's been running the show.

Here's what we'll do together:

• Transform a recent High Stakes moment from source of remorse into source of wisdom

• Trace the hidden narrative thread that connects your formative experiences to your adult reactions

• Explore a new internal narrative—one that moves you from victim of circumstance to creative protagonist and has you begin to blaze a new path

This is path-making work, a path to greater freedom and creativity. To guide you during and after the workshop, you will receive a copy of the journal Dare To…by, Dr. Sarah Hill.

Your Guide on This Journey

Kari McLeod, PhD brings a unique blend of rigorous training and intuitive wisdom to this work. As a Professional Certified Coach (ICF), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and trained Childhood Story Guide, she specializes in guidingpeople to rewrite the unconscious narratives that shape their reactions. Drawing from the groundbreaking work of psychologist Dr. Sarah Hill (Where Did you Learn to Behave Like That?) and building on David Kantor's High Stakes research, this workshop is both deeply reflective and practically transformative. Kari is based in Leesburg, Virginia.

Schedule:

Doors open at 10

Welcoming & light breakfast served 10-11

Workshop begins 11:00

Lunch provided. Vegetarian & gluten free options. Delicious homemade entrees, proteins & desserts. Teas & filtered water.

Workshop concludes 6:00 pm

Cost:

$111 Early Bird until 10.10

$177 after 10.10

$222 after 11.11

Limited small group size

Location:

Temple in the Trees

106 Calvary Ct SE

Leesburg Virginia 20175

ourtempleinthetrees.com

Kari McLeod, PhD brings a unique blend of rigorous training and intuitive wisdom to this work. As a Professional Certified Coach (ICF), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, and trained Childhood Story Guide, she specializes in guidingpeople to rewrite the unconscious narratives that shape their reactions. Drawing from the groundbreaking work of psychologist Dr. Sarah Hill (Where Did you Learn to Behave Like That?) and building on David Kantor's High Stakes research, this workshop is both deeply reflective and practically transformative. Kari is based in Leesburg, Virginia.

Learn more about Temple in the Trees at https://ourtempleinthetrees.com

WHERE :

The Temple in the Trees, Leesburg Virginia is the home of Tantric Educators and your hosts, Lara & Michael Blackin. We welcome you here as a space for you to also come home to yourself.

An oasis of tantric learning tucked in the woods of Northern Virginia, we are 30 minutes from DC & Frederick MD, an hour from Baltimore and 15 minutes from Dulles Airport.

Surrounded by wineries, nature, magnificent mountain view’s and historic rivers, we are a destination of peace and prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions:

IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR SINGLES OR PARTNERS?

All are welcome. This class is intended for individuals, but partnered pairs can choose whether to stay together for all exercises.

WILL THERE BE CONFIDENTIALITY?

Yes, and all agreements will be discussed at opening circle.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Bring your curiosity, any comfort items to aid in creating a comfortable place to nest. Maybe a notebook, a closed top water bottle, and an open heart and mind. Details provided in welcome letter.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

We will supply you with lunch & snacks throughout, water, tea. Dietary resstrictions noted and cared for.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Dress in comfortable clothing that allows movement and engagement.

WHAT IS TANTRA?

Tantra is a spiritual path that teaches you how to wake up to the sacredness of everything—including your body, emotions, relationships, and desires. Instead of trying to escape the world to become enlightened, Tantra helps you become more fully present in it.

RECENT TESTIMONIALS

Temple in the Trees is a delightfully safe haven for exploration and connection, and the exploration OF connection. Michael and Lara deftly lead us through a series of exercises designed to put us more in touch with ourselves and others as we explore our own boundaries and challenge ourselves to come right to our edges with confidence and curiosity. I cannot recommend this space and these facilitators more fervently. I often imagine what the world at large could be like if only everyone would take the time to walk this path with themselves and their fellow humans.

~ B. Miranda

A classroom unlike any you may have experienced. Instantly our senses of sight, fragrance, and sound were stimulated. A very calming serene place. After the "new experience" anticipation and jitters were behind us It didn't long to enter a new calm place, with chimes and movement.The experience was all that we hoped it would be, but knowing that this was only the beginning. The ride home and pillow talk this morning were filled with open communication and reflection on the evening's events. Thank you once again for leading us on this journey.

~ K&R Talach

What I have received in my life as a direct result of the practices at the Temple in the Trees is almost impossible to communicate with words. I have learned a level of self-expression and understanding of my energetic nature that I never even knew existed or even fathomed was within my grasp. Michael and Lara create a sacred and protected space, a circle, that allows me and all of the others that are participating to transcend the immediate recognition of what "is" to safely explore the possibility of what "can be." Through these enlightening sessions, my partner and I have been able to connect with and understand each other in ways that defy the social and cultural programming that defined our lives for so many years. To discover that I can specifically sense my Lover's presence in a room full of other people was absolutely mind-blowing and exhilarating. This has also given us the ability to embrace the love and compassion of others on a different level. While I am not a particularly religious person, I have experienced an existence of something on a very spiritual plane and I have felt an incredibly powerful transformation of my connection with "being" human.

~ R. Grimes

your hosts - Lara & Michael Blackin

welcome!

questions, please write us at [email protected]

or visit

www.ourtempleinthetres.com

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