With Brian Stafford, MD, MPH

Join the first Animas Soulcraft Intensive immersion in the untamed and rich wilds of Africa. 

LESHIBA WILDERNESS | 3rd – 7th AUGUST 2023

“Given that the human soul is the very core of our human nature, we might note that, when we are guided by soul, we are guided by nature. Both soul and greater nature do guide us in our individual development, whether or not we ask for this guidance.” 

Bill Plotkin, Author & Founder of Animas Valley Institute

Based on the renowned soul guide Bill Plotkin’s book – Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche, this 5-day intensive is an experiential exploration of our human psyches as unique expressions of the universal forces and patterns of nature. 

By the end of the intensive, you will understand yourself and your place in the world from a more soul-oriented perspective, be clearer about the gifts you were born to bring to the world, and have new skills to enrich your life and to defend the health of the more-than-human world.

The Soulcraft Intensive is highly experiential. We alternate between practices utilised in group, practices explored in solitude in nature, and sharing and deepening those experiences in small groups (5 to 9 people each). There is a Soulcraft guide for each small group, providing you with a fully individualised experience as you deepen into a perspective shifting soul based transformational experience. 

Soulcraft Intensive 2023

With Brian Stafford, MD, MPH

Join the first Animas Soulcraft Intensive immersion in the untamed and rich wilds of Africa. 

LESHIBA WILDERNESS | 3rd – 7th AUGUST 2023

“Given that the human soul is the very core of our human nature, we might note that, when we are guided by soul, we are guided by nature. Both soul and greater nature do guide us in our individual development, whether or not we ask for this guidance.” 

Bill Plotkin, Author & Founder of Animas Valley Institute

Based on the renowned soul guide Bill Plotkin’s book – Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche, this 5-day intensive is an experiential exploration of our human psyches as unique expressions of the universal forces and patterns of nature. 

By the end of the intensive, you will understand yourself and your place in the world from a more soul-oriented perspective, be clearer about the gifts you were born to bring to the world, and have new skills to enrich your life and to defend the health of the more-than-human world.

The Soulcraft Intensive is highly experiential. We alternate between practices utilised in group, practices explored in solitude in nature, and sharing and deepening those experiences in small groups (5 to 9 people each). There is a Soulcraft guide for each small group, providing you with a fully individualised experience as you deepen into a perspective shifting soul based transformational experience. 

Soulcraft practices include:

  • Soulcentric Dreamwork
  • Deep Imagery Work with Animal Guides
  • Talking Across the Species Boundaries
  • The Way of Council
  • Soul Tasks in Nature
  • Self-Designed Ceremony
  • Shadow Work
  • Soul Poetry
  • Sacred Wound Work
  • Synchronicities: Working with Nature’s Signs and Omens
  • Befriending the Dark
  • Ecstatic Trance Drumming and Dancing
  • and many others!

Guide:

Brian Stafford is a guide to the wilderness of nature and soul. 

He was called out of academic medicine to serve as a guide to the depths and to serve as an agent of cultural awakening and transformation. 

He guides with humor, playfulness, compassion, discernment, and a deep remembering of the fullness of what each human life can, should, and was meant to be. 

A native of Colorado and the former holder of an endowed chair and professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, he is an avid outdoorsman, teacher, writer, mentor, partner, and parent. 

He guides individuals and groups in Southern California, the Colorado River Basin, and wherever he is invited. He guides individuals to the place they most long and fear to go – the numinous depths of their soul. Brian currently makes his home in Ojai, California

Guide:

Brian Stafford is a guide to the wilderness of nature and soul. 

He was called out of academic medicine to serve as a guide to the depths and to serve as an agent of cultural awakening and transformation. 

He guides with humor, playfulness, compassion, discernment, and a deep remembering of the fullness of what each human life can, should, and was meant to be. 

A native of Colorado and the former holder of an endowed chair and professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, he is an avid outdoorsman, teacher, writer, mentor, partner, and parent. 

He guides individuals and groups in Southern California, the Colorado River Basin, and wherever he is invited. He guides individuals to the place they most long and fear to go – the numinous depths of their soul. Brian currently makes his home in Ojai, California

ABOUT LESHIBA WILDERNESS

‘Take a walk on the wild side’

In the northernmost part of South Africa, the Soutpansberg mountain range stands alone, one of the most unique and critically biodiverse habitats in Southern Africa. Leshiba Wilderness lies on the plateaus of this extraordinary mountain.

Leshiba is a private, family-run wildlife reserve. It is a remote, untamed wilderness comprised of a network of valleys, gorges, waterlines, grassy plains, ancient Bushmen Rock Art sites and an extraordinary abundance of fauna and flora. Climb above the clouds and discover this magical mountaintop reserve where you have the freedom to explore, unwind, reconnect and rewild.

As one of the 19 centers of floristic endemism in Southern Africa there is a pressing need to conserve and properly manage the Soutpansberg’s unique and irreplaceable biodiversity. Leshiba Wilderness is a founding member of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and works closely with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to conserve and protect habitat and endangered species. Leshiba is Fair Trade accredited.

Leshiba is dedicated to conserving several endangered and protected species including leopard, Red Duiker, Cycads, Aloes, Mountain Reedbuck, Taita Falcons and even a couple of species that require strict secrecy for their safety.

ABOUT LESHIBA WILDERNESS

‘Take a walk on the wild side’

In the northernmost part of South Africa, the Soutpansberg mountain range stands alone, one of the most unique and critically biodiverse habitats in Southern Africa. Leshiba Wilderness lies on the plateaus of this extraordinary mountain.

Leshiba is a private, family-run wildlife reserve. It is a remote, untamed wilderness comprised of a network of valleys, gorges, waterlines, grassy plains, ancient Bushmen Rock Art sites and an extraordinary abundance of fauna and flora. Climb above the clouds and discover this magical mountaintop reserve where you have the freedom to explore, unwind, reconnect and rewild.

As one of the 19 centers of floristic endemism in Southern Africa there is a pressing need to conserve and properly manage the Soutpansberg’s unique and irreplaceable biodiversity. Leshiba Wilderness is a founding member of the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve and works closely with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to conserve and protect habitat and endangered species. Leshiba is Fair Trade accredited.

Leshiba is dedicated to conserving several endangered and protected species including leopard, Red Duiker, Cycads, Aloes, Mountain Reedbuck, Taita Falcons and even a couple of species that require strict secrecy for their safety.

LESHIBA WILDERNESS IMMERSION PRICING

PRICES: ZAR 15,000 – ZAR 20,000 per person.

  • Luxury accommodation at The Farmhouse – ZAR 20,000 per person – This recently renovated luxury villa blends seamlessly into the mountainside,  surrounded by indigenous gardens and incredible views. With contemporary furnishings and eclectic touches throughout, The Farmhouse sleeps 12 sharing in 6 en-suite bedrooms. The Farmhouse is fully solar powered and off the grid.
  • Luxury accommodation at The Venda Art Lodge – ZAR 18,000 per person (sold out)
  • Basic accommodation at Luvhondo Bush Camp – ZAR 15,000 per person – Luvhondo has been designed as a traditional African homestead and is located adjacent to the spectacular, panoramic edge of the escarpment. It is the most basic of our accommodation offerings, consisting of four individual rondavels with two shared ablution rondavel

Wild Mind Intensive, July 2023

Bodhi Khaya presents the Wild Minds Intensive, 28th – 1st of August 2023.

The embodiment of our Wildminds so that we can become expressions of our fullest humanity provides us with the essential resilience to begin a journey towards soul initiation.

Based on Bill Plotkin’s book, Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche, this 5-day intensive is an experiential exploration of our human psyches as unique expressions of the universal forces and patterns of nature. We will work with what we call the Nature-Based Map of the Human Psyche, which is, among other things, a comprehensive inventory of what can be right about a person, a “shadow” version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), mainstream psychology’s list of what can go wrong with people.

Find out more here

ABOUT BODHI KHAYA

At the foot of the Witkrans Mountain in the Overberg region, on the Southern tip of Africa, Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat is in one of the most diverse biospheres in the world – one of only seven floral kingdoms on the planet. Surrounded by indigenous Fynbos and ancient Milkwood forests it is a special place to reconnect to ancient wisdom and the healing power of nature.

As an active member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, Bodhi Khaya plays its part in protecting over 9000 species of plant life as well as huge varieties of animal life including the cape otter, honey badger, porcupine, baboon, bushbuck and the elusive cape leopard to name but a few. Naturally there follows a huge diversity of bird life too, with various sunbirds frequenting the proteas and the Cape Batis, African Paradise Flycatcher and Barn Owl, recorded in the area.

BODHI KHAYA IMMERSION PRICING

Sliding Scale – ZAR 12,500 – 16,500. 

Paying a higher rate allows us to subsidise people who would otherwise be unable to come.

Join us for a free one hour webinar conversation with Dr. Brian Stafford, MD, MPH.

Brian is a former professor of psychiatry who was called out of medicine to guide individuals into a deeper connection with wild nature, their emotional bodies and the deep imaginal so that they might be prepared for the Journey of Soul Initiation, the journey where each human discovers the mythical core of their identity. Now a senior guide, trainer, and Board member at Animas, Brian will share stories from his personal journey and describe the work of the Animas Valley Institute which he is bringing to South Africa in July, 2023!

Join us for this provocative introduction into the work the Animas Valley Institute.

The Animas Valley Institute offers multi-day, experiential explorations into wild landscapes and into the wilds of soul with the goal of discovering the meaning and destiny at the heart of each life. We are guides to the initiatory journey — the descent into the mysteries of nature and psyche where the husk of outgrown ego-identity is shed; where tricksters, demons, and perhaps angels are encountered; and from which a new self emerges as a vessel for one’s distinctive genius and world-transforming gifts. Although our work evokes non-ordinary perception and ways of knowing, it is not shamanism, nor is it primarily rites of passage, wilderness-based psychotherapy, or emotional healing. Our immersions are not designed to transcend the ego, solve everyday personal problems, or help people better adjust to — or be happier in — the flatland of contemporary Western culture. Rather, our intent is a deep-structure shift that matures the ego and elicits each person’s most creative, soul-rooted response to our critical, liminal moment in the unfolding of the world’s story — on the threshold of a future shaped by those who can see beyond our own time.

Date and Time:

Thursday, June 1, 2023 6:00 - 7:00pm

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