Spirit of the Rainforest
"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." ~Gary Snyder
The tropical rainforests of Costa Rica have an allurement. There are places of peace and renewal where you enter into the majestic emerald-green vaulted and living cathedrals of trees. As you enter this sacred living forest, you are soon struck by how much diversity surrounds you. On a 50-hectare piece of land, there may easily be more variety of species of trees than all of Canada and the U.S. combined. You are amongst thousands of living beings standing in a jungle's centre. In the rainforest, you’ll notice that” life is piled upon life”- literally.
There are very few places on Earth where the forces of nature so actively interplay. This is one of the smallest countries in Central America, yet one of the most diverse in terrain, biota, and climate. In the heart of a tropical rainforest, you can feel the magic and spirit of life that abounds. It is full of mystery.
The rainforest cathedral is rich with living lessons of diversity, allurement, fluidity, passion, and harmony. The ancient, wise elders of the forest teach us that the forest is the giver of all living beings. These people knew Earth as the nourishing Mother, educator, and healer. The lesson reminds people to walk softly, sit upon the moist earth, and listen to, remember and know a mothering power. The stories we hear are living stories that are recreated daily with each fruit from the forest, with each sacred medicine from the forest, and with each brilliant flickering of the firefly. The forest is all life. All the stories and wisdom of the forest are true—the living truth.
For 25 years, Lorenna and I have returned to the rainforest on pilgrimage—to listen to the heartbeat of the Earth and reconnect with our souls. Here, wind, sun, water, and soil dance in sacred harmony, drawing us back to the source. This rainforest, the Earth's womb, is where life begins effortlessly and healing flows naturally. Crafted from Earth’s raw materials and awakened by Spirit, we walk this journey as her children.
Our sanctuary in Costa Rica, where we’ve guided retreats for over two decades, is a magical haven lovingly tended for 30 years. Overlooking the crystalline Pacific, this secluded landscape stretches across an untouched coastline, where streams and waterfalls wind through dense forests. Ancient trees and vibrant birds thrive here, creating an atmosphere brimming with possibility and alive with the energy of transformation. It’s a land once revered by shamans—a place steeped in power, where the elements cleanse, inspire, and guide each of us back to the sacred wild within our hearts.
From January 31 to February 7, 2025, we invite you to join us for Sacred Wild: Reawaken in the Heart of Nature, an eight-day journey to renew body, heart, and spirit within Costa Rica’s lush green heart. Picture days devoted to dreaming beneath the ancient canopy, where a hidden cave meets a flowing waterfall, and time seems to stand still. Here, sacred ceremonies, dance, elemental wisdom, and meditative hikes renew and ground you, awakening the “Greening Power”—the Earth’s vital force within each of us, healing from the inside out.
Imagine walking through a Meditation Garden overlooking the Pacific, breathing in the rich aroma of medicinal plants, and following a unique trail that winds from sea level up into the primary rainforest. Streams and waterfalls crisscross the path, surrounded by lush tropical fruits and exotic plants cultivated carefully. Alive with nature’s abundance, this sacred land nurtures a powerful alliance between body, mind, and Earth, inviting you to seek wholeness.
In this union with nature, we transcend the illusion of separation, discovering a profound healing power and a deep sense of belonging. Let the rainforest guide you back home to your true nature. Embrace this opportunity to experience the rainforest’s healing power and uncover a profound connection to Earth and its mysteries. Together, we’ll open fully to life, letting the healing journey unfold.
"In the heart of the Costa Rica rainforest, every leaf tells a story, every sound whispers life, and every moment is a reminder that the sacred wild of nature is the greatest teacher of connection and renewal."