20th - 22nd October 2017 Harvey Perth

$397 (all inclusive: accomodation, all meals and handouts 

Due to circumstances, we have had a participate had to cancel their place for the upcoming Shanti Retreat, so if you are interested in this event now is the time to jump on board this amazing opportunity and secure your place. 

I am not going to use the sales pitch “this Retreat will change your life” but I am going to share that it is a one of a kind and based on practices and theory of Esoteric Mindfulness, Meditation, Stillness and Peace. 

Do you know how to find and more importantly maintain peace in your heart and your life even when you are going through an emotional storm? 

Let’s face it, whether we are going through change, transition, loss, grief, or whether someone close to us is our personality nature will be affected and we will probably slide down from our temple on the mountain to the village in the mud. The village in the mud represents all of our lower nature such as our suffering, our wounds and our pain. The personality is therefore known as “the separated self”. It is separate to that of the beautiful peaceful stillness of our soul and peace is a reflection of the soul. 

So if you are serious and somewhat curious to learn how to meditate correctly, how to embody the qualities of your soul, and how to bring Shanti (that which is inner spiritual peace) into your heart and your daily life, then we warmly welcome you to join us for this phenomenal weekend at Kokoro Retreat ( Kokoro is a Japanese word for Heart). 

Shanti will bring you relaxation, stillness, meditation and a connection to nature and all things exactly as they are. The bonus is that there is no wifi or mobile coverage at Kokoro, just nature at her finest.

What is included in this weekend:

• Meditations
• Mindfulness
• Stillness
• Relaxation
• Sound Healing in the Tipi around an open fire
• Yoga
• And much more!

To register online please click here

Goodbye beautiful Bali 2017!

Another Couples Retreat has been and gone and what an amazing, life changing journey it was. Words can never seem to convey the beautiful energy that is created and experienced at these Retreats. I am in continuous joy observing the amazing people that attend and step up into life, into LIVING and most of all for having the courage and steadfastness to empower, improve and commit to their relationship on every level.

I would like to say a special thank you to all the couples who attended; together we created so many life changing memories and bonded in the spirit of love. Thank you to Dave for holding space for us all and for the crazy fun times shared in laughter, challenges and joy. Thank you to Steph for joining the group for a day and being so brave (you will know what I am talking about Steph). Thank you to Erin who joined the ladies in a day of celebrating Shakti Love and thank you to the team at Sanctuary Travel for all your hard work behind the scenes.

It truly was an amazing week of Celebrating Sacred Love.

So what's coming up next at the Sanctuary?

SHANTI RETREAT

Stillness – Peace – Mindfulness

• DATE:             20^th – 22^nd October 2017
• LOCATION:      HARVEY PERTH
• COST:             $397 all inclusive (accommodation, all meals, handouts and journal)

Only 3 places left so don’t miss out on a weekend of discovering the joy of peace.

It’s just over a month now until my son and I teach our first retreat together. We have been planning and contemplating the many things we wish to teach for months now and couldn’t be more excited to communicate it with others. Development of everyone’s mental and emotional bodies is something that means so much to us, so basing our retreat on the qualities of stillness and peace is a perfect contrast to embody these qualities.

Find out more......

COMING UP IN 2018

TANTRA PRACTITIONER TRAINING IN NSW

Internationally Accredited Certificate in Tantra Practitioner Intensive Training (Module’s 1, 2 & 3)

• DATE:        20^th to the 27^th April 2018
• LOCATION: Krambach NSW (226 kms NE Sydney)
• COST:        $2247 all inclusive (EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $2122 if deposit paid on or before the 1^st March)

Find out more…….

Tantra PRACTITIONER TRAINING PERTH

Modules 1 and 2 Intensive – 24^th to the 28^th February 2018

Modules 1 and 2 held over two weekends – 3^rd and 4^th March and the 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th March 2018

Module 3 Intensive (Accredited Certificate) – 18^th – 23^rd May 2018

MENSTRUATION 2018

• DATE:        10^th February 2018
• LOCATION: Sanctuary Perth
• TIME:         10am to 5pm
• COST:        $197 (EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $165 if deposit paid on or before the 1^st December)

The Sanctuary is absolutely delighted to be bringing to Perth for the first time Jane Bennett who will be presenting two very important and powerful workshops for women.

What you will learn at this Workshop: 

• Keys to menstrual well-being
• Self-awareness and empowerment through consciously cycling
• Fertility: Optimum conception 
• Fertility: Effective contraception
• Spirituality and menstruation: Connection, meaning and service
• Creating a positive introduction to menstruation for girls
• Creating a positive menstrual culture: Socially, politically, economically
• Ritual and celebration: Acknowledge and transform Preparing for a positive menopausal transition

The day will also include time in the beautiful and womanly art form of circle: sharing, telling stories, connecting, learning, laughing and may include a healing cry too. 

 Find out more……..

MENOPAUSE 2018 

• DATE:        10^th February 2018
• TIME:         10am to 5pm
• LOCATION: Sanctuary Perth
• COST:        $197 (EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $165 if deposit paid on or before the 1^st December)

What you will learn in this Workshop: 

•  Preparing for a positive menopausal transition
•  Contraception during peri-menopause
•  Keys to menopausal wellbeing
•  Identity: Who am I now?
•  Creativity, drive and focus: What do I do now?
•  Sexuality, intimacy and menopause: Hot or not?
•  Creating a positive menopausal culture: socially, politically, and economically
•  Spirituality and the menopausal transition: What is my purpose?
•  Ritual and celebration: Acknowledging this important threshold 

The day will also include time in the beautiful and womanly art form of circle: sharing, telling stories, learning, connecting, laughing and may include a healing cry too. 

Find out more...... 

OUR LAST WORKSHOPS FOR 2017

TRADITIONAL REIKI Shoden Level 1

• DATE:         4^th October 2017
• TIME:         10am to 4pm
• LOCATION:  Sanctuary Perth
• COST:         $150 all inclusive (89 page manual, authentic lineage, accredited certificate and lunch)

Reiki is Spiritual Energy, a technique for activating, restoring and balancing of natural energy from within, a self-help technique for personal growth and transformation, a non-intrusive technique, simple, easy, safe and harmless, energises your body and mind.

Find out more……..

TRADITIONAL REIKI Okuden Level 2

• DATE:         14^th October 2017
• TIME:          9am to 5pm
• LOCATION:  Sanctuary Perth
• COST:         $200 all inclusive

Okuden is the second level to the system of Reiki. The Traditional System of Reiki "Usui Reiki Ryoho" has three levels.

Okuden level increases ones spiritual and mental connection to Source as well as introducing four mantra and symbols which are taught along with their description and uses. Okuden also teaches traditional healing techniques and meditation.

Find out more……..

DIVINITY WITHIN

• DATE:        29^th October
• TIME:         10am to 5pm
• LOCATION: Sanctuary Perth
• COST:        $197 all inclusive (massage manual, gift, lunch

Divinity Within is an Advanced Workshop and a follow-on from The Way of the Heart created for women to continue on their path of self-realisation and the empowerment of Divinity.

Find out more……

THE WHITE TIGRESS

• DATE:        18^th November 2017
• TIME:         10am to 5pm
• LOCATION: Sanctuary Perth
• COST:        $247 all inclusive (manual, gift, jade egg and lunch) $179 if you already have a jade egg

Famous for their red lips and nails, the Secrets of the White Tigress for achieving eternal youth and immortality is an extraordinary philosophy in itself, let alone to the Western World. It is a practice that utilises sacred techniques for breast care, womb care and/or sexual cultivation for the purpose of achieving youthfulness and spiritual attainment.

The interesting concept of the Tigress is that they believe for example, that when a single woman is out in public and sees a man she desires, and would like to meet him, the female usually thinks in terms of “is he Mr Right”. Women have a very strong bonding hormone and so they usually think in terms of marriage, commitment, raising a family and the materialism of the relationship. Rarely does a woman think purely in sexual terms when meeting a man. Men think purely in terms of sexual activity when meeting a woman. Hence, the energy a female normally gives off in such situations is that of his responsibilities. Of course this is a generalised statement however what is fascinating about the Tigress is their ability to be able to reach the discipline required in the cultivation of their sexual energy, especially through oral techniques and their awareness of needy attachment in emotional relationships.

It is a practice that is controversial to say the least, however one that is very interesting to ponder on. If anyone is curious about the ancient practice of the White Tigress, please check out the details by clicking here.

Meditation-Stillness-Peace

Facilitators: Catherine Wood - Kale Wood - Jacquelyn Hooper 

Shanti means peace, which is a reflection of our true nature, the soul. Stillness is a quality of the mind. They are both brought about by an inner study of oneself and a deep understanding of all things in manifestation. It is this duality of mental-astral, mind-emotion, stillness-peace which will be the keynote to this retreat. This will create a better all-round development and balance of one’s personality, which will lead any individual further along their life’s journey. 

By practicing daily meditation, without any focus on the desires of man’s personality, we seek to help cultivate stillness in the mind and peace in our astral body (emotional body). The outcomes can be many; however will not be engrossed in one weekend. Yet foundations can be established, awareness can be changed and the opportunity for spiritual growth can proceed. 

Shanti is a unique 3 day, 2 night retreat at the stunning   located in the pristine forests of Mornington Mills just on the outskirts of Harvey Western Australia. Starting Friday afternoon on the 20th of October and finishing Sunday afternoon on the 22nd of October 2017. 

The cost of this retreat is just $397 per person making it viable for all to attend (18 and over) which includes accommodation and food and we cater for all vegetarian and gluten free upon request. All books for taking notes will be provided as well as hand outs regarding certain topics, or activities which may be covered. 

If you are ready to let go of what you think you know and if you are ready to experience something different, then we warmly welcome you to journey with us into Shanti. 

Only a few places left - Please click here to book online. Deposit is essential to secure your place.

MEN'S SEXUAL QI GONG WORKSHOP

Last time to be held in Perth DON'T MISS OUT as this empowering workshop is a MUST for all men!

Faciliated by Simon Boylan who currently resides in Japan

12th August 2017 - 10am to 5pm at the Sanctuary PERTH

$297 all inclusive, lunch and handouts

Learn Ancient Chinese Sexual Secrets for Men  

Kept secret from the public for centuries and exclusively reserved for the Emperor of China and his royal court -  learn these powerful sexual secrets now and transform your sex life! 

Taoist priests and Buddhist monks have studied and experimented with the potent sexual energy that we all have running through our bodies for over a thousand years. Through their wisdom and experimentation they have discovered ways to harness, cultivate and transform sexual energy to promote health, longevity and spiritual enlightenment - as well as increasing sexual pleasure and performance. 

The techniques covered in this workshop will include:

• The acupressure technique you can use to prolong sex and prevent ejaculation
• The Male Deer Exercise to increase pleasure, performance and sexual energy
• The seven sex positions from the ancient Chinese sexual manual - The Plain Girl Classic
• Thrusting techniques for greater stamina and pleasure
• Sexual techniques and positions that promote healing
• The way to safely circulate sexual energy
• The potential dangers of cultivating sexual energy and how to deal with them
• The exploration of the roles and functions of Yin (Feminine energy) and Yang (Masculine energy) 

ONLY TWO PLACES REMAIN!!!!!!!

TO BOOK ONLINE

About Simon Boylan

Simon Boylan has studied and practiced Qigong for over 15 years, including Sexual Qigong, Buddhist and Taoist Medical Qigong, and Health and Longevity Qigong. He is highly skilled in Qigong practices with lineages going back centuries to the Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple and Taoist priests of the Wu Dang mountains. He has graduated from Monash University with Honours in Philosophy and is well versed in Taoist and Buddhist Philosophy. He has also studied Traditional Chinese Medicine at RMIT University and holds a comprehensive understanding of the theory behind the experience of Qigong.

WOMEN'S Qi GONG WORKSHOP

Facilitated by Simon Boylan who currently resides in Japan

13th August 2017 - 10am to 5pm at the Sanctuary PERTH

$247 all inclusive, lunch and handouts

Discover how you can bring energy, balance and peace into your life through the science of Qigong. 

Qigong is an ancient set of practices based on the theories of traditional Chinese Medicine. These exercises have been used for centuries in China by millions of people to help promote health and longevity.   

Restoring and maintaining the natural energy flows of the body can be particularly helpful to women in dealing with symptoms arising from menstruation and menopause. Western medicine often struggles to deal with the complex symptoms that women can have in the different stages of their lives. 

Qigong is a form of active self care, where you perform gentle exercises that nourish your Qi(energy), your blood, your organs and your body, so you can help to support your own health. 

By gently moving and cultivating Qi and blood in your body, you can create your own optimal state of health, whatever stage of life you may be in. 

This Workshop will teach you: 

• Dynamic moving Qigong to cultivate health and energy
• How to balance the major organs of your body to find wellness and peace.
• Exercises to help process and release any turbulent inner emotions.
• The relationship between Yin and Yang in your body and in your life.
• How to restore your essence through the deep practice of Sleeping Qigong.

People of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from the simple Qigong exercises you will learn at the seminar.

BOOK ONLINE

MENTORSHIP STUDY PROGRAM

26th August 2017 - 10am to 4pm at The Sanctuary PERTH

$297 all inclusive (4 Study Days)

The need to constantly learn and grow is essential on our path towards self-realisation and the journey to achieve and experience Santi, that which is inner spiritual peace. Quite often when we learn a new skill or certain techniques at development courses or workshops our intent to continue practicing can become somewhat diminished or stagnate through the resistance of the lower personality and life’s challenges. 

So much so that I have been contemplating and meditating on this aspect for quite some time now and have come to the realisation that it is extremely important to be able to utilise a nurturing space where ongoing learning is available and applied with the intent to unlock and discover deeper layers of self and the barriers that prevent us from continuing a disciplined path of learning and growing. 

So I am pleased to introduce a very unique and specific Esoteric and Advanced Tantra Mentorship Training Program which is designed for those who have previously completed either the Module 1 or Module 2 Practitioner Tantra Training and who are serious and committed to walking a deeper path towards self-knowledge, self-realisation and self-love. 

This Mentorship Study Program Offers: 

• Four full training days held over four months in a sacred group study atmosphere 
• Learning assistance and advice in Esoteric and Tantric Practices
• Personalised tuition and support in your own personal journey
• How to create a routine structure for regular study and practice 

BOOK ONLINE

This article was written by my teacher and I wanted to share it with those that it will resonates with in the learning of unconditional love.

This article will not likely be met with a friendly response, but given the grotesque level of ignorance in the Western World regarding the subject of Kundalini, it has been deemed wise to break the present silence to offer a word of caution. Among the many emotional and unbalanced individuals who are blithely applying a trendy Eastern word to their overstimulated experiences and pretending these to be “spiritual”, are a small number of genuine seekers who are being harmfully misled by “teachers” who are Not qualified to teach. It is for the discerning and intuitive few that this post is offered. 

To be clear, Kundalini is not being taught in easily-accessed mainstream circles, nor will it ever be. It is only taught one-to-one in personal instruction by a Teacher of the Mysteries, and only after the student has studied, trained, and disciplined themselves for a certain span of years, and proved themselves ready. It must be understood that Kundalini is not a fashionable “awakening” or trendy “experience”, as it is often portrayed to be. Kundalini is a Force of Nature, harnessed and controlled only by initiates of a certain standing, and those who read these words who consider themselves to be among this number are overestimating themselves drastically. This divine Power is used by the world servers for divine ends only, and never for personal pleasure, blissful experiences, or bragging rights. 

The effects that people are claiming as Kundalini are in fact highly dangerous. Uncontrolled convulsions, trance seizures, random orgasmic spasms, “waves of energy”, and similar epileptic symptoms are Not Kundalini, nor are they even spiritual. And the wailing and howling that often accompany these degenerate practices paint a picture that would not be out of place in an insane asylum, which, tragically enough, is where many of these practices eventually lead, if carried forward over a number of years. True spiritual development does not include violent trembling, uncontrolled outbursts of emotion, screaming and thrashing, or the passive or collective trance states that rob their followers of their divine will and their sovereign strength and intellect. These techniques merely amplify the lower animal nature, and lead the hapless aspirants further from the Path, rather than closer to it. When one pictures an enlightened being, such as a Buddha or a Christ, does one picture a screaming or convulsing wreck, held in thrall either to passion or to trauma? I rather think not. Interesting, then, that so many aspirants follow “teachers” who lead them thus. 

What, you might ask, is actually occurring in these apoplectic fits, and these hypnotic convulsions? The aspirant, in a suggestable state, is permitting the energy of a group, or of the personal aura of the teacher (including their own impurities), or even of certain astral entities to flow and surge through them, without boundaries or defences or any awareness of the nature of these energies. In a trance or semi-hypnotic state, they abandon their senses to either the sexual forces of the body (or group of bodies), or to the uncontrolled astral (emotional) energy of their present, their past, the group around them, or certain sub-planes of the astral world that stimulate sensations through the lower three chakras. It is often a combination of all these things, leading to a frenzied and animalistic fit, sometimes pleasurable because it also flows through the nerves such as the sex organs, and sometimes traumatic because it triggers unresolved issues or attunes the individual to the pain of the wider human condition. It can sometimes feel like bliss, and appear wonderful or even divine instead, but this is due to a surge of higher astral energy through the solar plexus and maybe the heart chakra, which brings wonderful feelings, but is itself a beautiful lie on account of it being only astral, not divine, and because it happens in an uncontrolled state which means it can neither be understood properly nor used at will. This process, in All cases listed here, makes a person dangerously prone to trance and weakness, prone to surges of disorienting astral energy at any time of day, it continually destabilises or unbalances their emotional states and their hormones, and gradually destroys the protective etheric webbing over the chakras that constitute a defence against planar energy which most of humanity is unable to handle. Prolonged practice therefore leads either to serious illness or various forms of insanity. 

The question may arise – does Kundalini ever actually manifest in certain cases, rather than the above explanation of negative symptoms? The answer is Rarely, but Yes, and for those few who are spiritually gifted enough to begin to raise the Kundalini Fire without knowing precisely what they are doing, the situation is much more dire than that written above, and a thousand times more dangerous. Ordinary humans, without significant training, are no more capable of enduring Kundalini than they are capable of standing next to a nuclear reactor without harmful effect. I met one of my own students under these circumstances, and she was not only experiencing excruciating pain in the lower spine, but was psychologically unravelling also, as astral and manasic impressions flooded her consciousness and made her question herself and all of reality. It took us four months to stabilise and subsequently reverse the condition, and had she ended up in either a hospital or the mental health system instead, she would have been lost for this lifetime. She is doing well now, but she is Not using Kundalini force. 

Watch carefully your reaction to these words. Do you feel recognition and truth? Hostility and defensiveness? Do you believe you know this subject already, or are you open to learn? As to what you should do in relation to any teachings you have access to at present, there is only one primary necessity – Use Your Discernment. Question yourself. Do you know what you are doing? Does just sensing an energy surging through you mean you also know what it is, from which plane it emanated, and to what purpose it should serve? Question the “teachers” too, because if they cannot explain their position, it is not to be trusted. And if their techniques do not lead to clarity, insight, healing or growth, they are not worthy of loyalty. Certain of these “schools” are doing great harm to people in need, and they should know that they are now being watched. 

– A

This year I am sponsoring Xi Lai (Hsi Lai’s) latest book called “Entering the Rosy Clouds” Rosy Clouds in Dao refers to “spiritual sexual practices”. Xi Lai is the founder of Dao Vital Energies, Tao Traditions and The White Tigress Society. He is currently teaching Daoism and Daoist practice in the USA and is the author of numerous books on Daoism and White Tigress Practice. As some of you know, I have been following this practice for over 15 years now, not for sexual cultivation but for the spiritual discipline of the Dao.

Very recently I had a discussion with Xi Lai on his thoughts and beliefs regarding the Jade Egg and would he consider writing a book on this practice. The conversation was very similar to that of my own teacher’s theory and knowledge on this practice and some of it I wanted to share with you today because I believe it is of vital importance not only to embody proper knowledge of this practice but to also understand the dangers because with all things there comes forth a duality, ignorance and naivety. What I am about to share also comes from observing and practicing 15 years of using the Jade Egg as a woman who has also had two natural child births.

Firstly, contrary to popular belief it is UNWISE to leave a Jade Egg inside your yoni (vagina) for longer than 20 MINUTES three times a week. There are a few reasons for this and one is that it will create focus and focus creates stimulation and stimulation activates energy, particularly in the Chakra System, Endocrine Glands and the Nervous System so the three lower Chakras, Muladhara, (centre for elimination), Swadisthana (centre for procreation) and Manipura Chakras (centre for assimilation) become over amplified. When these centres become too stimulated the principle of primal consciousness (the lower centres) can activate the desire nature. Desire for ALL THINGS which are PERSONALITY based and definitely not from the SOUL.

Secondly, if say for example, a woman has had past sexual trauma and she is advised to use the egg for healing and she is using the egg every day for hours on end, or leaving it inside her yoni all night, the outcome will eventually be an overstimulation of her sexual trauma and most of the time this transpires into a different “guise” through the ASTRAL BODY which could be seen as depression, anxiety, sexual addiction, PTS and the woman is none the wiser that the incorrect and over use of the Jade Egg has contributed to a trauma that has not been resolved so she continues her practice and her suffering hoping it will heal her.

Thirdly, IF the Jade Egg has any imperfections on its surface, these can irritate the vaginal walls without the woman being even aware. Not all Jade Eggs are made from authentic grades of Jade and to compensate, paraffin wax is used to smooth them out. Some say paraffin wax is toxic, some say it isn’t but regardless, I believe why would any woman want to have anything inside her body that she is not 100% sure about.

Also some eggs in the world are being dyed to look like authentic Jade Eggs so it is important to know what you are buying and putting inside your precious temple. Trust your intuition. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and have since had the Jade Eggs that I sell on my Tantra Shop thoroughly tested over many weeks by laboratories and I will be posting their report on my website so women can see first-hand the quality that they are purchasing.

Lastly, from purely a White Tigress perspective an “egg” psychologically (in the subconscious) represents the idea of pregnancy and the stimulation of ovaries and most (not all) Tigresses are into the practices of sexual cultivation and don’t want to become pregnant so the Jade Egg use is only practiced a couple of times a week if not at all because as one Tigress shared with me once, using the egg every day can also cause bloating in the stomach which looks like a pregnancy because of the "focus" being poured into the sex chakra and the solar plexus.

After all, energy doesn't have a brain, what we give thought and energy too, grows and sometimes not in the way we want!

If used very wisely however and with absolute discernment, the egg can have many beneficial healing benefits that are personally relevant to the journey of each and every beautiful woman using the egg.

There is much more to share but this post will be too long, however I wanted to share the above information to bring awareness and education to this ancient practice and of course food for thought. Is it right or is it wrong information? The answer will be found in your own research, your own practice with the egg, your wisdom and in the knowing of your soul.

As always, something to ponder on.

OM Shanti

Catherine Wood

Divinity Within

13th May 2017 @ The Sanctuary of Ananda Perth - 10am to 5pm

$197 all inclusive

Ladies if you are interested we have only a few places left for this Advanced Workshop for Women.

In traditional Tantric practice women penetrate the world with their breasts, their heart centre and receive the world with their womb. Women are always giving and nourishing outwardly to everything and everyone around them, sometimes forgetting the most important person to be nourished first is themselves.

Divinity Within is a follow-on Workshop from The Way of the Heart and is created by the Sanctuary for women to continue on their path of self-realisation and empowering you into the very heart of your true Divinity.

Divinity Within Workshop Includes:

• Advanced Pranayama exercises
• Sacred Sexuality Time Lines
• Laya Yoga Meditations
• Advanced Jade Egg Practice
• Kama Sutra Demonstrations
• Advanced Traditional An Mo Tantric Massage

To book online please click here

Other News

The Internationally Accredited Tantra Practitioner Training on the 20th May in Perth and on the 11th June in Bali are both now SOLD OUT.  Congratulations to all the participants who secured a place at these trainings.  We are so looking forward to meeting you all and sharing in this incredible life changing journey.

There will be only one more Accredited Practitioner Training in Perth scheduled for the 4th November.  We already have bookings for this training and now only have 6 places left.  So if anyone is interested please email me asap [email protected] to secure your place.

The Way of the Heart Workshop for women on the 28th May is now SOLD OUT

Upcoming Workshops in Perth

Men's Sexual Gi Gong Workshop - 12th August 2017 Click here for full details

Women's Gi Gong Workshop - 13th August 2017 Click here for full details

Internationally Accredited Tantra Practitioner Training MODULE 2 (Open for anyone who has completed the MODULE 1 Level of this training) 19th August 2017 - Click here for full details

Couples Tantra Retreat UBUD BALI - 3rd September (Six nights of bliss!!!) please click here to take advantage of our incredible MAY SPECIAL