Dear Community,

“Time and space are not linear but cyclical. The linear notions of growth and progress are not compatible with that vision. Time advances in the form of a spiral. The future is connected with the past. In any advance, there is a return and any return there is an advance. Hence, as the Aymara say, to walk forward we have to have our eyes on the past.” - Pablo Solón

The crisis in leadership that our movements face is not just about burnout and disconnection, but also about not being able to channel the moments where the movement, ourselves, or our organizations are “energized”, and it’s opportune to do the right thing at the right time. It is a crisis that misunderstands when is the time to experiment, when is the time to push, when is the time to harvest our victories, and when is the time to retreat and rejuvenate. And one that neglects to acknowledge the cyclical nature of our own leadership and that of the organizations we are embedded in. 

Our Seasons of Leadership Retreat offers you a pit stop in your journey for deep reflection, connection with others in social change, and preparation for what’s to come. The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2025 and we have a limited number of spots available. If you are interested, please make sure to apply before we run out of space!

You can find out more at ayni.institute/seasonsretreat

In renewal and reciprocity,

Fhatima Paulino

Below are quotes from some of our past participants:

“The Seasons of Leadership framework has been such an important tool to help me understand and be intentional about the ongoing contributions I can make to movement, my community, my family, and myself. The framework, the exploratory questions and exercises, and the retreat container held by Ayni are simple, deep, and powerful—like the transformational power of fire, the nourishment of a meal, or a conversation that yields lessons and reverberations for a lifetime.”

— Mia, NY

“The Seasons retreat felt like being held deeply by a loved one. I was invited to show up authentically and honestly. In this invitation I was given the gift of both self awareness and self compassion. The framework of seasonality resonates on both a spiritual and systemic level. It is a framework for us to understand ourselves, our communities, and our movements. I wish more folks within our movements knew of this framework to support us in facilitating conversation about burnout, rest, and radical imagination.”
— Kelsey, MA

“The Seasons retreat helped me realize what is possible for me in my leadership right now. Since the retreat I’ve felt grounded in the mission of my work, and what my role is in this moment of crisis. It ignited inspiration within me to think critically and strategically about my social justice work, and how we can win more in the future.”
— R.B., RI

“Joining the Seasons Retreat felt much like arriving home, while also embarking on a transformative journey. The Ayni Team (as always) did such a wonderful job cultivating a space for learning, joy, processing, understanding, and growth. There was never any pressure to arrive as anything other than who I authentically am. It was a gift to hold and be held, and to commune together. For anyone who is experiencing transition, seeking a place to land, and/or needing authentic and spiritual connection, this Retreat is it!”
— Aditi, MA