Meditation Retreat Preparation

Purification and Growth

Traditionally, healing sessions are intended to cleanse the physical, emotional, and subtle bodies, removing toxins and blockages and uncovering our natural state of well-being, vibrancy, and intelligence. This purification process can involve physical and emotional challenges as the physical and subtle bodies are cleared. However, the container that we hold sustains you to endure even very uncomfortable experiences so that they can be contacted and reintegrated into your psyche. 

Healing sessions opens doors to the subconscious, allowing access to biographical memories and embodied sensations as well as to higher realms of the psyche that are not accessible our habitual waking consciousness. This allows for new levels of integration and wholeness within the psyche, expansion of sense of identity, and a deeper connection to the higher Self. Further, these sessions open the heart and the capacities for love and relating.

You may experience physical, emotional, and energetic release through your digestive tract, or through sweating, shaking, emotional expression, yawning, or through subtle sensations of heat, cold, and release of heaviness. Metabolic wastes, repressed emotions, and rigid thought patterns build up in the subtle body just as toxins build up in the physical body. It is through releasing this build-up that the light of presence can shine more clearly through your waking consciousness.  Healinh sessions have the effect of bringing up the subconscious stagnant patterns to the surface so that they can be processed, leaving you feeling lighter and more clear.

Over time, the effects of this transformation are gradually integrated into your psyche and the structure of your life. Integration may involve new understandings or new values in your life, changes in relationships to people and habits, and new ways of acting in the world. Integration is a an act of listening. Without too much trying, the effects play out slowly through your micro decisions over time. When integrated fully, the healing sessions results in a deep and lasting change in the mind, body, and spirit, as well as your relationships and environment.

How to Prepare

Interview

Prior to the sessions we start with interviewing each participant. This allows us to get to know each other to build trust and so that we can best serve your needs. 

It’s important to be honest during the interview. If for whatever reason something important was left out, it’s okay, but please let us know so that we can discuss it. 

Intention Setting

We recommend coming to retreats with a clear and concise intention. Imagine that you’re getting ready to go sailing. The wind may not always do what you expect, but having an idea of where (or how) you’d like to travel is key. 

Intentions are best when simple and positive. For example, “to connect with my heart” or “to know myself more deeply” can be useful. Multi-sentence intentions can be difficult or confusing to remember during the journey and are not recommended.

The Retreat

Our role involves establishing a strong container (set and setting) and guiding participants on a safe and supported experience. We will open the meditation with a simple ritual, and then sing chants and play music, with some periods of silence for 4-6 hours. The session is closed with a simple ritual with tobacco and perfume for protection and blessing. 

During the session there is no physical contact or unnecessary conversation. 

At the end of the meditation, you will likely feel at ease and grounded. You are welcome to talk, have a light snack and tea, and go to bed.

Integration

After the retreat, you may experience a “grace period” of a few days to a couple weeks during which you will continue to receive insights and process new understanding.

During this time, it’s important to rest, eat healthy clean foods, and listen to your body.

To get the most out of your experience, avoid red meat and pork, very intense energetic contexts (like clubs or big crowds), alcohol, and sex for 3 days to a week after the retreat.

Journaling, making art or music, and gentle movement are helpful to keeping your energy flowing and bringing the insights into your daily reality.

Energetic bodywork, meditation, yoga, and counseling can be very supportive to the integration process.

Your experience is precious and sacred to you. Honor it. You may want to only share it with others who might understand it, not those who may discredit it.

What to Bring

Most healing sessions take place in my home in Occidental, CA. We’ll provide a foam mat to sleep on and we’ll all sleep together in the ceremony space, slumber party style. Hiking and the beach are nearby, and you will have an afternoon of downtime between the sessions, so do bring what you’ll want to take care of yourself that afternoon (I do not recommend internet or professional work at that time).

• Your intention

• Your Nest: blankets, and pillows to make a cozy place for ceremony and to sleep.  Please bring blankets made of natural fibers. It turns out that polyester sleeping bags are very noisy and can be distracting for you and others 

• Comfortable clothing: Clothing should be casual and loose enough to allow you to stretch out and be comfortable. Think: Cozy. Consider bringing warm clothes like a sweater, heavy socks and a blanket. Dress in layers as it may be hot or cold.

• Outdoor Clothing: Pants, Shirts, Shoes for walking. You may want to go out for a hike or go to the beach in between sessions. 

• A Bathing Suit for plant baths, in the case we have them

• A Towel

• Self-care items (toothbrush, soap, etc.)

• Water bottle with a lid

• Snacks: coconut water, bread, or fruit to share and any other favorite food/tea items (we will provide meals)

• An Altar Piece: You are welcome to bring a small object that has some significance to you to place on our community altar and take home at the end of the weekend.  This is optional, but I recommend giving it a try if you haven’t before!

• Cash: Please remember to bring the remainder of your contribution (for retreat only) in cash. The contribution scale is outlined here.

  • Preparation and Integration Counseling sessions should be paid directly to the therapist electronically. Thank you!

The contribution rates for sessions can be found here.

It is important to us to make sure this work accessible to all those called to it, regardless of socioeconomic status. If you need to work out a payment plan, let me know and we can discuss. BIPOC Scholarships are available.

Preparation Diet Guidelines

The cleansing diet is a way to clean the physical and psychic bodies before our session so that your experience can be deeper and more effective.

Best is to eat a clean diet of fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for 2-12 days before the retreat. How long should you observe the diet? The longer you can mind the diet, then the cleaner your body will be and the smoother and more subtle your experience can be. However, there is no need to be extreme or create stress around it. 

My personal advice is to eat fresh, simple, and clean, but do not stress out about it. More important is to come relaxed :)

You may find many different variations and suggestions of the diet online. It is recommended that you do what feels right for your body, make educated decisions and ask for advice when unsure. 

3 DAYS - 1 WEEK BEFORE SESION:

• Avoid fermented foods -- including any alcohol or vinegars

• Avoid recreational drugs,Rx drugs, or over the counter drugs (aspirin and ibuprofin are okay)

• Avoid red meat and pork

• Reduce dairy

• Reduce sexual activity to conserve your vital energy

• Reduced excessive fatty foods and excessive oils (deep fried especially)

• Reduced salt (including high amounts of salt in processed foods)

• Reduced sugar (including sugar in processed foods)

• Be mindful of your psychological state and the material you consume with your mind -- movies, music, parties. Take some time to let your mind settle into a more quiet space as much as you can.

THE DAY OF THE SESSION:

• Avoid fermented foods -- including any alcohol or vinegars

• Avoid recreational drugs,Rx drugs, or over the counter drugs (aspirin and ibuprofin are okay)

• Avoid red meat and pork

• Avoid dairy products

• Abstain from sexual activity to conserve your vital energy

• Avoid excessive fatty foods and excessive oils (deep fried especially)

• Avoid salt (including high amounts of salt in processed foods)

• Avoid sugar (including sugar in processed foods)

• Be mindful of your psychological state and make some time for quiet. On the day of the retreat, eat light to normal amount of breakfast and lunch. Do not eat dinner.

3 DAYS - 1 WEEK AFTER THE SESSION:

• Avoid fermented foods -- including any alcohol or vinegars

• Avoid recreational drugs, Rx drugs, or over the counter drugs (aspirin and ibuprofin are okay)

• Avoid red meat and pork

• Avoid dairy products

• Abstain from sexual activity to conserve your vital energy and allow your psyche to naturally integrate when you experienced

• Reduced excessive fatty foods and excessive oils (deep fried especially)

• Reduced salt (including high amounts of salt in processed foods)

• Reduced sugar (including sugar in processed foods)

• Be mindful of psychic consumption - avoid violent movies and make more space for stillness and relaxation

Three days is the minimum recommendation, although a week will give you better results.

Important Safety Information

While meditation is completely safe, it is crucially important that you talk with me or my co-facilitator about any prescription medications you are on as well as any existing or past health conditions, physical or psychological, before attending a retreat.   

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY.

Please talk with us if you have any of the following so that we can make the best plan for you:

• Current diagnosis of mental disorder (including Bipolar, Schizophrenia, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorders)

• Weak heart or compromised condition

• Extremely low blood pressure

• Epilepsy 

• Diabetes

• Liver dysfunction

Please let us know if you are currently taking any Rx medications, over the counter medications, or herbal supplements 

See Appendix A for a more thorough list of medications and supplements that you should not take before our retreats.

_________________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX A

These drugs *must* be avoided before coming to a retreat. Please talk to me if you are taking any of them.

- any MAOI or SSRI medication 

- amphetamines (meth-, dex-)

- antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)

- appetite suppressants (diet pills)

- medicine for migraine headaches

- medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems

- medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies

- CNS (central nervous system) depressants

Other drugs to avoid:

- Alcohol - using alcohol before sessions may cause serious side effects like angina (chest pain) or headaches (severe or frequent). 

- Amoxapine (Asendin)

- Amitriptyline

- Bupropion (Wellbutrin) - 

- Buspirone (BuSpar) - using Buspirone before sessions may cause high blood pressure.

- Beta Blockers - Propranolol

- Carbamazepine (Tegretol) 

- Clomipramine (Anafranil)

- Clonidine

- Cocaine 

- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

- Cyproheptadine

- Desipramine (Pertofrane)

- Dextromethorphan (DXM) 

- Doxepin (Sinequan)

- Fluoxetine (Prozac)

- Imipramine (Tofranil)

- Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa)

- Maprotiline (Ludiomil)

- Warfarin

- Meperidine (Demerol)

- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

- Nortriptyline (Aventyl)

- Paroxetine (Paxil)u

- Phenelzine

- Phenytoin

- Protriptyline (Vivactil)

- Selegiline (Eldepryl)

- Sertraline (Zoloft)

- Stado

- Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil)

- Trimipramine (Surmontil)

- Verapamil

Herbs that should be avoided:

- St. Johns Wart 

- Kava

- Ephedra

- Passion flower

- Ginseng