Deepen: Body & Earth
Working with the body, and coming into communion with the web of life, we access an ancient, inherent wisdom and aliveness that is our birthright.
Our bodies are deeply wise. We are human beings, and it is our bodies that are most firmly anchored in the now and can reveal to us the truth of our being in the moment. They are intelligent instruments: they show us when we are out of tune, and through them we can play the most beautiful symphonies.
Our body and emotions are intricately linked, and trauma is stored, and healed, in the body. Embodiment practices can help us access these deeper layers of our subconscious, bringing them to awareness so that we can begin the healing process. Being embodied opens the doors to more freedom, creativity and aliveness, to enjoying the sensual world and being fully here, as a human being on planet Earth.
The disconnection from our bodies, our own animal nature, goes hand in hand with the disconnection from outer nature. With our modern, digital lifestyles it is challenging to feel our interconnectedness with the larger web of life. Being immersed and engaged in nature, we reconnect with our own life force and regain access to the creativity and resilience that flows through all life.
This Body & Earth Deepen retreat is about healing the wound of separation: from the whole of ourselves, and from the web of life that surrounds us.
We will deepen the realisation of our connectedness with the natural world, through nature connection practices, and aided by psychedelic fungi – the emissaries par excellence of the infinite wisdom, potential and connectedness in the Earth. We will come into more authentic contact with ourselves, using embodiment practices to begin hearing and honouring the intuitive yes and no of our body, and to develop a sense of safety in every cell. And we will celebrate – being alive and able to enjoy and appreciate the sensuous delights of this beautiful planet!
Who is it for?
Our Deepen retreats are available to all those who have already participated in one of our Open retreats. The content of the retreat is more advanced, providing participants with an opportunity for deeper inquiry and a larger step out of their comfort zone and into their potential. At the same time there is an ease of familiarity in the group from having been on a similar journey before that creates a lightness as well as mutual companionship and support to go deeper.
Disclaimer
- Our retreats are for people in good mental and physical health. We do not offer therapeutic or medical treatment.
- Reasons for not being able to participate in our retreats include serious cardiovascular (e.g. recent stroke or heart attack) or neurological issues (e.g. epilepsy or brain trauma), use of antidepressant (e.g. SSRI/TCA), mood stabilising (e.g. lithium) or antipsychotic (e.g. Abilify) medications or severe mental health problems (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder).
- Even though the vast majority of our participants have very meaningful and beneficial experiences, there is no guaranteed outcome from participating on a retreat.
- The majority of research indicating the positive effects of psilocybin was done in a clinical setting, which is very different to that of a retreat environment. More research is needed to explore the benefits offered by group psilocybin experiences.
What’s included?
PREPARATION SUPPORT
Giving due energy to preparation before the psychedelic journey not only reduces the possibility of anxiety and tension blocking the flow of the experience, it also enhances the probability of an enriched, deeper experience. Ahead of each retreat, you will receive reading material and suggested exercises to support your preparation for the retreat. One week before the retreat you will also have the opportunity to meet your lead facilitator and fellow participants via video call, allowing you to get to know each other and feel safe in the group, as well as ask any burning questions you might have.
On the retreat itself, we offer one-on-one sessions with the facilitators, and individual and group activities to help you feel well prepared and supported, as well as safe and bonded with the group before stepping into the unknown.
INTEGRATION SUPPORT
In many ways, the journey only really begins when the psychedelic effect subsides. In the days after the ceremony, we incorporate solo and group integration activities, and individual one-on-one sessions with the facilitators to give you the opportunity to explore the deeper nuances of your journey. We also offer 3 weeks of support following the retreat – through group video calls as well as suggested exercises – to help you weave the insights from the retreat back into your everyday life.
“The attention to integration was amazing, extremely impactful, and probably the main reason I’d recommend these retreats.” Li, 32 years old
GROUP EXERCISES & GROUP SUPPORT
On the retreat we can safely explore relating to one another in a held and loving space. Tremendous healing comes from being witnessed and accepted as who we are. In traditional contexts, psychedelics have often been used in group settings, the benefits of which were recently explored in a research study. The group is also a major resource in the integration process. In a society that hasn’t yet incorporated the use of psychedelics and other peak experiences into its fabric, the community of fellow retreat participants plays a central role as allies and companions on this extraordinary journey.
“I learned so much simply from being in the company of fellow participants, facilitators and volunteers. It was so wonderful to feel part of such a supportive community.” Duncan, 35 years old
MEDITATION & CONTEMPLATIVE EXERCISES
Embodiment practices
NATURE CONNECTION
HEALTHY, EXQUISITE FOOD
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
RITUAL AND CEREMONY
MEDITATION & CONTEMPLATIVE EXERCISES
Embodiment practices
NATURE CONNECTION
HEALTHY, EXQUISITE FOOD
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
RITUAL AND CEREMONY
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu
