Francis Briers

This is about cultivating wisdom and deeper spiritual connection, without needing to take ourselves too seriously. We will blend embodied practices, my contemporary take on Taoist wisdom, poetry, and play to find new and ancient ways to connect with ourselves and each other.

Wise fool school is an imaginal space I have shared and explored in all sorts of ways, including an online course, running workshops at festivals and conferences, and live online workshops and sessions. In many ways I see it as the essence of what I have to offer as a facilitator and teacher, blending together an embodied approach to cultivating a life filled with spirit and soul, with the numinous and poetic ancient wisdom that calls us to live big-hearted, generous lives while still embracing humour, humility and gentleness.

It is the work of working out how we can live fully, and walk with deep care. How we can be both light-hearted and deep-rooted.

“The Wise Fool lives from the Tao, listening to the still, small voice in her heart.

Quietly blossoming, people see her beauty.

Like the sun behind a cloud: Her brilliance is hidden but people feel her warmth.

When she makes a point, there's no arguing: she's got nothing to prove.

She offers an open heart and people see themselves in her eyes.

With no ideas of good or bad she's wonderful at everything!

When the ancients said "Embrace dying to foster living," was that crazy?

Surrender to the Way and find yourself where you are:

Here and now

Here and now

Here and now”

 - From ‘My Tao Te Ching – A Fool’s Guide to Effing the Ineffable’ by Francis Briers

This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in personal and spiritual development. 

Cost will be £100 for the day, £25 deposit. There is an early-bird offer that if you book before the 15th September, you get 25% off!

It will be held at Anderida Community in Forest Row, East Sussex, UK. Timing will be 10.30am - 5.30pm.

There are only 12 places available on this workshop. To book your place get in touch and feel free to ask me if you have questions or would like to learn more. Email: hello@francisbriers.com 

Facilitator - Francis Briers: I have been studying personal and spiritual development for over 25 years.  I have always been fascinated by the esoteric, from childhood, but my exploration really began while studying Shamanism, Tai Chi and other wisdom traditions alongside training at drama school.  Over the years I have always been fascinated with how we can make the deeply nourishing learning from specialist fields like martial arts and theatre, more accesible to everyone. It was in that spirit that I explored and taught somatics and embodiment for over 10 years, including training other facilitators and coaches. I have explored learning from many different traditions, including: a range of martial arts (3rd dan black belt in Karate and Tai Chi instructor); standing meditation and chi gung; various schools of dance, embodiment and body-work; several traditions of indigenous spirituality, healing and initiatory practices (Shamanism); other spiritual traditions including Taosim, Buddhism and Sufism; training and being ordained as an Interfaith Minister; working for over 15 years in organisational leadership and coaching; and many years of professional practice as a facilitator, coach and spiritual counsellor.  In my primary work, I am a professional facilitator, leadership & learning consultant, and coach, and have taught embodiment internationally.