Spiritual Retreats, Spiritual Journeys & Women's Retreats: Journeys of the Spirit® » Spiritual Hiking

BHUTAN: Blessings of the Heart, Meditation & Service – December 9-21st, 2010

Sheri Rosenthal — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:17:09 +0000

Not many people have actually heard about Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon, or even know where it is located. For many years this little country about the size of Switzerland has been off limits of foreigners. If you look at a map you will find Bhutan to be east of Nepal at the same latitude, with a tiny piece of India separating the two countries – and the northern edge touching the Himalayas. You must realize that Bhutan is not like any place you are likely to travel to.

Downloadable trip summary!

Shamans & Buddhists

The people are Tantric Buddhists who also have a Shamanistic background called Bon – and a fantastic history filled with legends and mythology. In fact, one of the highlights of our spiritual journey is hiking to Tiger’s Nest where Guru Rinpoche flew to on the back of a flaming tigress! Indeed, the monasteries are magical and beautiful in ways that I cannot begin to describe.

Finding the Buddha Within

Everyone who visits is touched in the most astonishing ways, by the landscape, the heart of the people, and their philosophies. By the time we leave, the experience will have opened your heart in a manner that that is totally unexpected. Through meditation, chanting, prayer and ceremony – we will expand our consciousness and cultivate the compassion of Buddha within us.

Compassion & Blessings

Thankfully we’ll have the opportunity to spend a day at Tongsa Tsechu, one of the annual religious dance festivals to immerse ourselves in ancient tradition where elaborate, spellbinding masked dances at the festival are performed by specially trained monks. We’ll also spend time visiting the very rare and endangered Black Necked Cranes in Phobjikha. And as a special gift, a Lama will be preparing a prayer and blessing ceremony for us. As service is an important part of our spiritual experience, we’ll be giving of ourselves and helping the Bhutanese people during our visit.

Inner Peace & Contentment

On our last two nights we’ll be staying at the incredible Hotel Zhiwaling which is beautiful and restful – a proper end to our journey. You can have spa services here to relax from our journey and prepare for the long trip home. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime journeys, and you will not come back the same person you were when you arrived. If there is any way that you can get way for this mystical journey, I encourage you to come! And don’t leave without watching the video on the right –>

Want to join us?

If you’re interested in knowing more about the trip pricing, itinerary, inclusions and more – please use the navigation under “TELL ME MORE!” on the left side of the page. Questions? Give us a ring at 727-421-0849 – we can’t wait to hear from you!

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
~ Martin Buber

TEPOZTLÁN, MEXICO: Sacred Valley of Magic & Mysticism – February 14-19th, 2011

Sheri Rosenthal — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:41:22 +0000

Join author Susan Gregg for a truly transformational spiritual journey to the ancient home of Quetzalcoatl – The Feathered Serpent God. Tepoztlán is about 1,700 meters (5,500 ft) above sea level and at a distance of some 18 kilometers from Cuernavaca. Tepoztlán has become a meeting ground for different religions and practices such as New Age, Hare Krishna, traditional local shamanic healing practices, and Catholicism. It’s also well known for being a spiritual center where energy and mysticism converge. Because of this, the energy here is perfect to support our personal work and transformation.

Printable quick trip summary!

Pyramids & Pulque!

Our home base in Tepoztlán is the very romantic Posada De Tepozteco. From here we’ll visit the sacred sites of the Tepozteco and Xochicalco Pyramids. To the north of Tepoztlán, is Tepozteco mountain and on this mountain is the pyramid of the same name. The pyramid is named after Tepoztecatl, the principal god of Pulque (an alcoholic beverage made from the sap of the agave) and important ceremonial drink.

A Sacred Pilgrimage

Tepozteco Pyramid has always been a sacred place with pilgrims traveling from as far as Chiapas and Guatemala. The pyramid can only be reached by a long and narrow flight of steps located on the south side of the temple. Tepozteco is about a five hour round-trip climb from town, but is a powerful pilgrimage and hike. (You climb around 1,300 feet in 1.2 miles!) But once you reach the summit, you will be glad you did since the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

Culture, Caves & Ruins

In addition we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Cavernas de Cacahamilpa which contain fascinating natural formations and have wonderful energy. Taking advantage of the cultural events: exploring the local market, enjoying the town’s incredible gourmet food, and dining at one of the oldest Haciendas in Mexico – are highlights of this magical spiritual journey!

Want to join us?

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”
~Hilaire Belloc

HAVASUPAI FALLS GRAND CANYON: Living Fearlessly – Sept 21-26th, 2011

Sheri Rosenthal — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:37:55 +0000

On this adventure you descend into one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, into the heart of the Grand Canyon at Havasu Falls. Here we’ll hike and explore this incredible landscape, swimming in travertine pools of turquoise blue, enjoying the evenings at our comfortable permanent camp (with exclusive arrangement with the Havasupai tribe) merging with the stars, connecting deeply with mother earth, having great meals, and sharing our experiences.

Downloadable trip summary!

Into the Arms of Mother Earth

It’s this spiritual energy that forms the basis for our 5 days of heart-felt transformation and personal expansion. The focus and intent of our retreat is to transcend any fears we have about what we can or cannot accomplish in our lives. Cradled within the depths of the Grand Canyon and the heart of the mother earth – she will help us find our peace and clarity. We’ll hike, swim in crystal waters, meditate, journal and participate in ceremony together.

The Mystery of the Havasu Canyon

Folks say that you haven’t fully lived until you’ve experienced the Grand Canyon. This journey takes you through the heart and soul of the canyon and will leave you with a sense of accomplishment, awe and a true appreciation and love of one of the grandest places on earth.

You might ask what is Havasupai? Havasu Canyon is one of over 600 side canyons forming the 280-mile long Grand Canyon. While over 5 million people per year visit Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, very few venture to the remote Havasupai Indian Reservation deep in the heart of Grand Canyon.

Turquoise Waters of Havasu

Home to towering 200-foot waterfalls, beautiful cascades, and tropical blue-green pools this lush oasis is considered the “gem” of the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai or Havasu Baaja currently has 650 tribal members of which approximately 450 live in the village of Supai and all members speak their native language. Pai means people and Havasupai means “people of the blue-green water.”

Want to join us?

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.”
~ Seneca

SEDONA: Embracing At-one-ment – September 22-27th, 2011

Sheri Rosenthal — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:01:36 +0000

Join us for a magical and introspective spiritual retreat to the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona. For six days we’ll have the opportunity to experience the beauty, majesty and energy of this unusual location on our Mother Earth. Each day we will visit a different vortex to illuminate our inner light and darkness, and in addition, the limiting beliefs and concepts that are keeping us from divine self-realization and oneness.

Balancing Darkness & Light

In many calendars autumn heralds the beginning of a new cycle and a new year. On the autumn equinox, day and night are of equal length reminding us that we too must honor the light and darkness within. It’s easy to focus on our divine nature and light while we push away, deny and fear the darkness within. By releasing the things that no longer serve us, by bringing our regrets, sorrows, and resentments (our darkness) into the light, and by forgiving ourselves – we can live our lives from a place of wholeness and love, opening our hearts to the at-one-ment.

The At-One-Ment

The time frame for our Sedona retreat happens to be during the sacred Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Beginning with Rosh Hashanah on September 9th – until Yom Kippur on September 17th which is the day of Atonement (the at-one-ment with Spirit/God), the veils between the worlds are thin making it a perfect time to reflect on the past year and to commit to dreaming a healthier future filled with our deepest intentions. Indeed – you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate this mythology (as this journey is not about religion, but about expressing our divine nature). You only need the desire to open your heart and mind to more powerful opportunities for love and light in your life.

Vision Quests & Healing Ceremonies

We’ll be gathering at the charming Briar Patch Inn located along beautiful Oak Creek in Sedona which vibrates at a high frequency. Using the techniques of the vision quest, shamanistic dreaming, meditation and ceremony we will embrace our oneness with the land and each other. From this vantage point you will clearly see how you are preventing yourself from becoming all you can be in this lifetime. A beautiful healing massage is also part of the retreat package.

Want to join us?

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” ~ Jack Kerouac

BRITISH COLUMBIA: A Heli-Hiking Spiritual Retreat – Inner Peace, Silence & Sanctuary

Sheri Rosenthal — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:17:44 +0000

There’s something about this land that allows you to rest deeply, slow down and open to the land and nature. We’ll have the opportunity to stay at some of the loveliest lodges in British Columbia: The Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Post Lodge at Lake Louise, and Bobbie Burns Lodge. The food is incredible and we even have access to full spa services for our weary bodies. So bring your hiking shoes, a journal and an open heart. Be prepared for the unexpected, as the magic of this land will take you to places you did not think were possible.

Into the Clouds

This will be an active trip, as we’ll be hiking at altitude in the Purcell Mountains in the Canadian Rockies. (Hiking elevation: between 945 m/3100 ft – 3050 m/10,006 ft). This range of mountains cannot be reached by car as there are no roads. Only by helicopter, which we use each day, can we access these remote areas.

Walking Meditation

The blessing of this trip is the ability to hike in absolute peace and solitude with no other humans around us, giving us the time to reflect deeply on our selves and our lives. We will have at least one day of silence while on this retreat to help quiet our minds and allow us to fully open our hearts to nature and divine creation.

Want to join us?

“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.”
~ Clifton Fadiman

MESA VERDE, CANYON DE CHELLY, CHACO CANYON: A Sacred Pilgrimage

Sheri Rosenthal — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:59:18 +0000

If you’re ready to put confusion and indecision behind you and learn how to create your happiness, this pilgrimage to the beautiful Southwest is where you want to be. While visiting the amazing and powerful sacred sites of Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Canyon de Chelly you will have the opportunity to look deep within yourself and reflect on your inner strength, and your self-limiting beliefs. Gently led by the insightful observations and reflections of your guides, you will embark on a journey to collect the tools and skills that you can use to harness your personal power and find your personal freedom.

The Sacred Southwest

On this journey we’ll explore three of the most interesting sacred sites of the southwest: Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly and Chaco Canyon. We’ll be hiking, meditating, vision questing, sharing and participating in ceremony and self-exploration.

Explore the Diné Culture

There will be four nights of camping and hiking on Navajo land with our precious Diné hosts Jon and Lupita McClanahan. They’ll share how the Diné view the spiritual world with us as we sit around the fire at night under the open star-filled sky. Actually, the land that we will be camping on has been in Lupita’s family for over 400 years.

Your own Vision Quest

This will be an active trip, as we will be hiking at altitude. Bring your hiking shoes, a journal and an open heart. Be prepared for the unexpected, as the magic of this ancient land will take you to places you did not think were possible. Generations of Warriors before us will be supporting us on our personal vision quests.

Want to join us?

“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.”
~G.K. Chesterton