Virtuosity in Action: A Dance with Knowing and Being

Recent Update: Added Team Discussion

A Transformative Live Workshop in Toronto

Virtuosity, does not happen by accident—it begins with a choice. A choice to cultivate self-awareness, confront the edges of our comfort, and develop the virtues that enable us to live with integrity, authenticity, and compassion. Through commitment to this process we cultivate deeper meaning and a richer, more fulfilling life.

This four-day intensive is designed for those who are ready to step into this journey, guided through the frame of serious play. By engaging in-the-moment relating, experiential learning, philosophical inquiry, and embodied practice , we will explore the dimensions of Dialogue, Imagination, Mindfulness, and Embodiment (DIME)—an integrated approach that brings the whole self into the learning process, without becoming self-involved.

[12:35] – We start to discuss how does one orient to virtue and why is it important to do so. Q&A on that and more in mid-April.

Why Join This Intensive?

Virtuosity in Action is not just about individual growth—it is a collective endeavor. True transformation of character and perception happens in relationship: we need others to reflect ourselves back to us, to challenge our assumptions, and to help us reimagine how we engage with the world. This intensive is structured to leverage the power of in-person, intersubjective and collective experiences—offering variations on familiar practices and introducing new ones never before offered by Awaken to Meaning.

This workshop might be for you if:

• You value your own development/unfolding and see how your inner-work directly and indirectly supports your way of showing up in the world, from your most intimate relationships through to your career. • You want to deepen your connection to yourself, others, meaning in life and to something higher • You delight in the exploration of the unpredictability of emergent spaces • You’re ready to take an honest look at yourself, how you show up with others, and how you may be unknowingly contributing to the challenges you experience in your day-to-day life. • You know or suspect you are getting in your own way on some level

This workshop will challenge and inspire you to:

• Become more authentic – Understand yourself deeply and align with your values. • Step into your compassion – Cultivate meaningful, transformative connections. • Build resilience – Navigate life’s challenges with strength and clarity.

• Reclaim trust – Strengthen relationships and create a foundation for lasting connection.

What to Expect

Throughout this highly experiential program, you will:

• Develop new (or deepen existing) relationships with likeminded individuals • Engage in Authentic and Relational Attunement practices • Engage in Philosophical practices like Dialectic-into-Dialogos and the Socratic Search Space • Explore Mindfulness and embodiment work • Deepen your integration through Somatic and movement-based activities

What this is Not

Sometimes by saying what something is not, we get closer to understanding what it is:

• Dry Lecturing or Stale Debating – this is an immersive exploration of the human experience in a dynamic and engaging space • Trivial feel-good vibes – our work dives deeply into the complexities of what it means to be human and in relationship to others and the world • A Buffet of Practices – we’ve designed this intensive and its experiences to flow between, integrate and more intentionally build on one another. This is a proper ecology, allowing us to approach our daily explorations from multiple angles, increasing our opportunity to enhance ways of knowing and being

Growth is Beautiful, but Rarely Pretty

This is not a passive workshop. It is an intensive, meaning you will be invited to step into novel, intersubjective spaces that can be both challenging and transformative. While we have intentionally structured the program to be neither overwhelming nor underwhelming, we recognize that every participant comes with a unique history and personal journey.

Because of the complex nature of this work, we encourage those actively navigating trauma to consult with their mental health professional(s) before registering. If you are unsure whether this workshop is the right fit for you, we ask you to reach out to discuss it before committing.

What we can assure you is this: the shared context of a dedicated group, coming together with the intention of developing character and wisdom, creates an environment of trust, support, and transformation. You will leave with powerful tools to improve your relationships, inspire those around you, and live with greater purpose.

Meet Our Expert Team

We’re proud to introduce our exceptional team of facilitators, each with their own unique expertise and passion for personal growth helping to create a rich and supportive environment for our participants.

Dr. John Vervaeke
Renowned Professor of Psychology, Cognitive Science, and Buddhist Psychology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Vervaeke is a co-creator of several practices we’ll be offering in the intensive. His extensive knowledge and experience make him an invaluable part of our facilitation team.

Taylor Barratt
As Director of Practice and Education with Awaken to Meaning and Lead Councillor for Authentic Relating Toronto, Taylor brings a wealth of experience in facilitation, design, and training. He’s a certified Integral Facilitator and has co-designed the Socratic Search Space, among other notable projects.

Tataya Bailey
Our Master Facilitator in Embodiment, Tataya leads with strength and compassion, expertly meeting her participants where they’re at. With decades of experience in Integral Coaching, Transformational Connection, and Yoga, she creates a safe space for leaders to develop their integrated awareness.

Ethan Hsieh
As Artistic Director of 5ToMidnight International, Ethan is a PhD candidate working at the intersection of actor-training and cognitive science. He’s developed TIAMAT (The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation), a comprehensive ecology of practices for character and leadership development.

Kasia Zaraski
A skilled workshop designer and facilitator, Kasia is certified in Relational Attunement and Authentic Relating as well as a Facilitator-in-Training with the Dialectic-into-Dialogos practice. With a background in performance and comedy, she brings a unique energy to our team.

Sara Hansen
Sara Hansen has been a devoted yogi for 34 years. She is a certified yoga teacher in the Sivananda tradition, which is a comprehensive framework of pranayama (breath work), meditation, chanting, and asanas (yoga poses). Sara will be leading our first segment most days!

Logistical Details

Dates: Monday, May 5th through to Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Times: 9:00am – 7:00pm Monday to Wednesday (2-hr lunch break), 9:00am – 1:00pm Thursday

Format: Non-Residential – participants will be responsible for their own lodging and meals. Please visit our Logistics guide for options near the venue.

Location: The beautiful and historic One King West Hotel & Residence – 1 King West, Toronto – Steps from the King Metro/Subway Station, dozens of food options across all budgets, and other Hotels for other budgets a very close walks. More details available via our Logistics Page.

Pre-requisites: None_{^{(though as with all things related to practice, the more experience you have with them, the less novelty and therefore the more easily you can shift your attention and intention to different aspects within them)}}

Workshop Fee	Amount	Coupon Code at Checkout
~~Early Bird (until April 4th)~~	~~$1,700 USD~~	~~MAY25EARLY~~
Standard Rate	$2,000 USD	n/a

Financial Considerations:

Couples! Please reach out for a special discount!

Payment plans are available, please use the contact form to discuss payment schedule.

We are offering Canadian residents a 20% reduction in price due to the adverse exchange rate of the CAD against the USD.

As this has been asked, please note this is not politically motivated and that ATM has always priced it’s offerings for the US and European market and charged USD. The CAD is at a 22-year low to the USD, and we’re still not covering the entire discrepancy, which is at a 44% at the time of writing.

Payment for this discounted amount is available via PayPal using MAY25CAD or, preferably, via Interac Email Money Transfer to payment@authenticrelatingtoronto.com (Standard = $2,310 CAD).

For Full-Time Students seeking financial consideration and those residing in other countries with a similar adverse exchange rate, please contact us using the contact form to discuss.

Register Here

Refund Policy: Full Refund minus any payment processor fee (~2.5%) is available through to April 4th, 2025. After which there are no-refunds, however registrants may transfer their registration to another approved participant for a $100 admin fee (contact us). Of course, any cancellation would result in a full refund.