Mountain Waters Retreats

This retreat is now full. Spaces are still available in our September Healing with Addictions retreat

This six day experiential seminar will examine the sources of addiction in our individual histories and in our culture, and connect us with the inner wholeness which is the final and only answer to addictive drives. Participants are supported to experience genuine self acceptance, and move forward in their lives in healthier, more authentic ways.

How we define addictions:

An addiction is “any behaviour that we engage in on an ongoing basis that causes harm to ourselves or the people that we care about. Behaviours that we are unable to stop.” This definition is a big tent that many of us can find a place within.
Addictions are self-destructive patterns of thought and behavior,that are rife throughout our society. From the respectable compulsions of the professional workaholic to the disease-inducing habits of the street junkie. All addictions originate from a place of deep-seated emotional pain and an unbearable sense of spiritual loss.

This retreat is for:

Participants who are currently struggling with addictions in their lives as well as counsellors, therapists and support workers addressing addictions in a professional capacity. This retreat is not meant for active substance users. It’s intended to be a source of rich personal learning and renewal for all participants.

This groundbreaking seminar incorporates:

• the brain science of addiction
• guided self-exploration
• body healing techniques
• spiritual work
• shamanic medicinal practices
• indigenous teachings

Included in the program are three shamanic healing journeys plus a facilitated group process designed to help participants integrate the full benefit of their experience. Organic, gourmet meals and accommodations are provided in a secluded mountain retreat facilty.

Additionally, there will be indigenous Medicine Wheel teachings focusing on being in the “right relationship” with what is often referred to as the “hungry ghost” of addiction.

The retreat will be led by Dr Duncan Grady and supported by a team of gifted health practitioners.

DUNCAN GRADY is a psychotherapist and teacher with over 30 years in the field of addictions with a post doctorate degree in Creation Spirituality. He was raised in the Siksika/Sauk Blackfeet indigenous tradition.  Duncan is a longtime Buddhist practitioner, who teaches meditation and mindfulness retreats integrating western, eastern and native traditions and approaches to the healing of addiction. He has taught at UCS/Naropa University and throughout North America and Europe. He currently teaches at Selkirk College in British Columbia and works as a psychotherapist and hospice trainer using western and non-western approaches to health, well-being, and end-of-life transition.

SOI BARI has been working with Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicines for the past 10 years.  During this time he has apprenticed and learned from Shipibo Curanderos from the Peruvian Amazon in the practice known as Vegetalismo.  Soi Bari has a Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology, is trained as Medical Qigong Practitioner and lives on the West Coast of Canada where he leads retreats and has a private practice as a psychotherapist.  His passion and focus over the past number of years has been in supporting ways to integrate complementary healing modalities.

HEATHER FLORCITA has been supporting and assisting Soi Bari with his ceremony work for the last 4 years.  She continues to train in the Peruvian Amazon in the practice of Vegetalismo.  Heather practices Reiki and Medical Qigong. Her passion for life is expressed in her love of music and as the owner and creator of Café Bliss, a raw food restaurant in Victoria.

JEN DAVIS has studied indigenous healing practices in Peru and Mexico with three different teachers. She will also be leading a traditional shamanistic healing ceremony. Jen’s work is primarily focused upon the treatment of addictions and other emotional imbalances. Jen has been working with Plant Medicine for the past 12 years.

RICHARD KLEIN is a life coach and aquatic therapist. Richard runs Mountain Waters Retreats and hosts the Addictions Retreat on a yearly basis. For this retreat, he will be providing meditation and body awareness instruction as well as leading nature immersion exercises.