We ask you to refrain from any contact with the world outside in any way during the Process. This includes phone calls, email, social media, newsfeeds etc.

This is to help you focus on the work that you are doing. If it is imperative that you make contact with your partner / family / children or work during the week, this is sometimes possible by pre-arrangement on Tuesday evening, but will ultimately be at the discretion of your Process facilitator.

In order to gain the most from the course we ask that you refrain from alcohol and from taking any substances (which may affect your concentration, moods or your ability to access your feelings) for at least two weeks before the course starts and throughout the duration of the course.

We ask you to bring a photo or photos of yourself in the years up to puberty. This photo is simply there to act as a physical representation of you as a child. The photo remains safe and in your possession. If you struggle to find a photograph, you may try drawing an image of yourself doing something you enjoyed as a child.

At a certain point in the Process, we ask you to look at your parents and remember them vividly in a positive light. It can be helpful to have a physical representation of them that makes this connection more real.

You could bring a photograph (a copy is fine), a small personal token (e.g. book, ball, scarf, locket), an image from the internet that represents something (a familiar view, a hobby) or a drawing you have made. We invite you to bring one or two mementos for each parent if possible.

Your pre-course work
You will be referring back to this during the week, so please bring a printed copy of the patterns pages 21-57 with you. If you submitted any additional patterns lists, don’t forget to print these off too. If you don’t have access to a printer, email the office before 5pm on Thursday before your process and we will print a copy for you and have it ready in a sealed envelope upon your arrival.

Photograph of you as a child
Please bring a photo of yourself as a child, either an original or printed copy.

Mementos of your parents
These are objects that will help stimulate a positive memory of each of your parents. You could bring a photograph (a copy is fine), a small personal token (eg book, ball, scarf, locket), an image from the internet that represents something (a familiar view, a hobby) or a drawing you have made. We invite you to bring one or two mementos for each parent if possible.

A wristwatch (not a smartwatch), as you will not have use of your phone. If you don’t have one, we do carry a limited number of watches to borrow. You will each be lent an alarm clock to use during the week.

Bag identifier
You will be given a canvas Hoffman bag for your use throughout the week. Please bring something to tie around the handle that will identify it as yours, e.g. a scarf, handkerchief, ribbon, hair tie etc.

Closed bottle/ lidded cups
Our venues only allow drinks to be transported to the group rooms and bedrooms in closed bottles or lidded cups. We will supply a closed bottle suitable for cold and hot drinks to use during the week and to take home with you.

Recommendations:

We recommend that you bring the following items for your comfort and convenience:

Plenty of comfortable, casual loose clothes, especially clothes appropriate for exercise (sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, shorts etc). You will get hot and may wish to bring a couple of hand towels for your own use. There are no laundry facilities available on site.

A pair of slippers or soft comfortable indoor shoes with non-slip soles, in addition to your outdoor shoes. Our venue is surrounded by nature and your outdoor shoes might get dirty. So please bring something just for indoors that you can slip on and off as you enter the property or main group room.

An eye mask (during visualisations you may wish to use your own eye mask).

Earphones – you will be given an MP3 player for your use during the week. We provide a pair of wired (non-bluetooth) earphones to borrow, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Clothing appropriate for a casual celebration to wear for the closing ceremony.

A hairdryer (if required). The venue does not have a hairdryer.

A plug adaptor if you are coming from outside of South Africa and will need to charge an electric razor, toothbrush etc.

A dressing gown/bath robe (bathrooms at some venues are shared).

The main conference room will have air condition, all guest rooms will have ceiling fans.

Please be aware:

• There are no shopping facilities available while on the course, so please come prepared for all eventualities. This includes toiletries as above, medication, painkillers, extra snacks, dietary substitutes, sun lotion and cigarettes/vape supplies if you smoke/vape.

• If you are flying in from overseas, please ensure you carry a supply of any important medication in your hand luggage, just in case your main luggage is delayed.

• We will ask you to hand in all mobile phones, smart watches, laptops, tablets, MP3 players, cameras etc on the first morning. These will be kept securely at the venue during your stay. There is no need to bring reading material with you.

• Please leave any valuables at home if possible or hand them in at registration along with your phone, laptop etc. You will not need to carry cash around with you for the majority of the week, although you will be offered the option to leave a cash tip for the venue staff on the last day, should you choose.

• In order to comply with our policy on student confidentiality and privacy, photography and recording equipment is not permitted at the venue from the time you arrive until the time you leave.

Your process will take place at: Montfleur Conference Centre

Physical address:
Blaauwklippen Road
7600 Stellenbosch
South Africa

Website: https://www.montfleur.co.za/

How to get there:

You will be able to arrive directly to the venue either by using a driver service (Uber works very well in Cape Town) or by using our own car. Free parking is available on-site during your stay.

The venue is about 60min away from Cape Town International airport and Cape Town city centre (50km).

During the Process, Participants will not be reachable. You can call the following emergency number for the Hoffman Team 24/7 during the Process and we will take care of your request, including getting hold of any Participant. Needless to say, please only use this option for a genuine emergency.

Emergency Phone: +27 (0)67 3456 950

Experience has shown that having a weekend or even just the Friday night free of commitments can help deepen your Process experience as well as help you adjust to the fast-paced world outside the retreat venue.

If you have travelled from overseas, we recommend that you don’t fly back home until at least one day following the Process where possible. It will also help you to integrate what you have learnt and to finish any assignments, if applicable.

We generally recommend that people take a day or two for themselves before re-entering into an often busy life.

Cape Town and the Western Cape are world-class tourist destinations and will allow for any type of accommodation at any budget. Airbnb and Booking.com work very well in South Africa.

In case you would like a more personalized service, we recommend the travel planners at Steadfast Africa. Please reach out and we will make a personal introduction for you.

Please note that the Hoffman Institute can’t be held responsible for any arrangements that you make with third parties once your time with us has finished.