Soulcentric Dreamwork Intensive - 2025
Soulcentric Dreamwork Intensive - 2025
91467 East Lewis Ranch Road, Winkelman, Arizona 85192, United States
Up to 18 in group
April 10 - 14, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- On this 5-day immersion, you’ll learn what it’s like to enter dreams as mysteries; to boldly and vulnerably interact with its denizens and dreamscapes; to be moved by the deep intelligence of its living images; to open to non-ordinary ways of perceiving; and to experience the underdream of your everyday waking life.
- During your participation in our offerings, we respectfully request that you discontinue use of mind-altering plants, chemicals, and alcohol. Please do not bring tempting substances to use alone or to share.
About this Retreat
Rebecca is the author of Wild Yoga: A Practice of Initiation, Veneration & Advocacy for the Earth and has offered Wild Yoga™ programs since 2007. She guides people to listen to the mysteries within nature and their bodies and dreams so they can belong to and serve the Earth community. She has been a wilderness and soul guide for decades and has spent most of her adult life in wild places. Rebecca has extensive somatic therapy and dreamwork training and loves to tune in to the mythic stories of humans and the animate world. An Earth lover, activist, feminist, and writer, she fiercely supports radical social and cultural change. Rebecca often guides alongside her canine muse-beloved, Xander, who is guide to love, joy, presence, and play.
The singular dream that has been a perennial guide for Doug van Houten’s own guiding practice is one where humans thrive in a mutually enhancing relationship with Earth, know our cosmic origins, and see ourselves as integral and yet necessarily unique participants in the ongoingness of the universe. His lineage of teachers and inspirators includes: Bill Plotkin and the Animas Valley Institute, Joanna Macy, Matthew Fox, David Whyte, Mary Oliver and Brian Swimme to name a few. In co-creating wild, ceremonial and soulcentric spaces for human development, Doug draws upon the wisdom of deep imagery and dreams, somatic and embodied knowing, poetry and art-making, and many pan-cultural, soul furthering, nature-responsive practices. Doug’s true calling manifests in a devotion to supporting others to transform themselves toward wholeness and maturation as they descend into the mystic wellspring of their imaginations, drink deeply from soul’s source, drench in their own unique grief and gifts and return to outpour their particular powers in service to what Thomas Berry called, ”The Great Work” of our time. In addition to guiding and mentoring Doug expresses his own soul’s longing as a visual artist, a wily wanderer, an intuitive dream tracker, an occasional beekeeper, a heart-centered activist, an emerging yogi and cosmic dancer.
Details of this retreat
Soulcentric Dreamwork: The Secret Alchemy of the Nightworld
The soul yearns to dream itself into the world. Every dream emerges from the mystery of the soul and is an opportunity for our conscious self, our ego, to be further initiated into the secret stream of our deeper life.
On this 5-day immersion, you’ll learn what it’s like to enter dreams as mysteries; to boldly and vulnerably interact with its denizens and dreamscapes; to be moved by the deep intelligence of its living images; to open to non-ordinary ways of perceiving; and to experience the underdream of your everyday waking life.
Soul speaks through images, including those that comprise dreams. While most modern forms of dreamwork focus on interpretation and analysis, soulcentric dreamwork invites us to do something radically different — to fully surrender to the experience the dream wants us to have, however strange it may be. A soulcentric approach holds every dream as an embodied invitation to our unfolding soul story.
In this intensive, we’ll wander slowly in the disturbing splendor of the nightworld’s rich symbols, images, and emotions. We’ll courageously commit to an extended stay in the soul’s mysterious domain, permitting the dream to do its formidable work on the ego. Instead of trying to figure out the meaning of the dream, we’ll submit ourselves to its atmospheres, landscapes, and characters.
Earth is always dreaming and inviting us to dive into our own dreamstream. The inner wilds of dreams and the outer wilderness of the world are two of the most potent guides to soul. Unlike any other Western form of dreamwork, we’ll enter both wildernesses at the same time, amplifying the initiatory effects of both. We’ll apprentice ourselves to the mystery held within our dreams while approaching the animate world as if it is listening and wanting to participate. We’ll re-enter our dreams while deepening our conversation with the other-than-human world.
Through a variety of modalities — including direct dialogue with the dream itself, expressive arts and movement, deep imagery, and wandering on the land with (and in) our dreams — we’ll explore how our dreams want to shift us, what doors they want to open, what underworld thresholds they want to usher us over.
Join us and deepen into your dreams and your unfolding soul story!
There is an opening downward within each moment, an unconscious reverberation, like the thin thread of the dream that we awaken with in our hands each morning leading back and down into the images of the dark. - James Hillman, The Dream and the Underworld
ARAVAIPA CANYON RANCH
Nestled at the foot of Brandenburg Mountain, Aravaipa Canyon Ranch invites you to a quiet getaway for reflection, healing and spiritual renewal. Miles of secluded, ever-changing terrain in the midst of natural, pristine beauty unfold to the accompaniment of the singing waters of Aravaipa Creek, one of Arizona's all-year-round streams. For more information, go to http://www.aravaiparanch.com/
The soul yearns to dream itself into the world. Every dream emerges from the mystery of the soul and is an opportunity for our conscious self, our ego, to be further initiated into the secret stream of our deeper life.
On this 5-day immersion, you’ll learn what it’s like to enter dreams as mysteries; to boldly and vulnerably interact with its denizens and dreamscapes; to be moved by the deep intelligence of its living images; to open to non-ordinary ways of perceiving; and to experience the underdream of your everyday waking life.
Soul speaks through images, including those that comprise dreams. While most modern forms of dreamwork focus on interpretation and analysis, soulcentric dreamwork invites us to do something radically different — to fully surrender to the experience the dream wants us to have, however strange it may be. A soulcentric approach holds every dream as an embodied invitation to our unfolding soul story.
In this intensive, we’ll wander slowly in the disturbing splendor of the nightworld’s rich symbols, images, and emotions. We’ll courageously commit to an extended stay in the soul’s mysterious domain, permitting the dream to do its formidable work on the ego. Instead of trying to figure out the meaning of the dream, we’ll submit ourselves to its atmospheres, landscapes, and characters.
Earth is always dreaming and inviting us to dive into our own dreamstream. The inner wilds of dreams and the outer wilderness of the world are two of the most potent guides to soul. Unlike any other Western form of dreamwork, we’ll enter both wildernesses at the same time, amplifying the initiatory effects of both. We’ll apprentice ourselves to the mystery held within our dreams while approaching the animate world as if it is listening and wanting to participate. We’ll re-enter our dreams while deepening our conversation with the other-than-human world.
Through a variety of modalities — including direct dialogue with the dream itself, expressive arts and movement, deep imagery, and wandering on the land with (and in) our dreams — we’ll explore how our dreams want to shift us, what doors they want to open, what underworld thresholds they want to usher us over.
Join us and deepen into your dreams and your unfolding soul story!
There is an opening downward within each moment, an unconscious reverberation, like the thin thread of the dream that we awaken with in our hands each morning leading back and down into the images of the dark. - James Hillman, The Dream and the Underworld
ARAVAIPA CANYON RANCH
Nestled at the foot of Brandenburg Mountain, Aravaipa Canyon Ranch invites you to a quiet getaway for reflection, healing and spiritual renewal. Miles of secluded, ever-changing terrain in the midst of natural, pristine beauty unfold to the accompaniment of the singing waters of Aravaipa Creek, one of Arizona's all-year-round streams. For more information, go to http://www.aravaiparanch.com/
Schedule
Soulcentric Dreamwork
Deep Imagery Work with Animal Guides
Talking Across the Species Boundaries
Council and Mirroring
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
many others!
Deep Imagery Work with Animal Guides
Talking Across the Species Boundaries
Council and Mirroring
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
many others!
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Animas Valley Institute, 91467 East Lewis Ranch Road, Winkelman, Arizona 85192, United States
Directions
Directions from Tucson (50-55 miles, 1.5 hours)
Take US Highway 77 (Oracle Road) north through Catalina, Oracle Junction, Oracle and Mammoth. At 9 miles north of Mammoth (mile marker 124), turn right on Aravaipa Road (at Central Arizona College). Proceed 10 miles (4 paved, 6 unpaved) to a large steel-framed bridge at the base of Brandenburg Mountain. After crossing the bridge, immediately turn right into the entrance of Aravaipa Canyon Ranch. Proceed past the first residence on your left to the trees and creek crossing at the back of the property. Depending on the vehicle you are driving and the depth of the creek, you will be advised whether you should park or if you should ford the creek. If advised to park, a shuttle service will be available to assist you with crossing the creek. Once you have crossed the creek, follow the unpaved road to the Aravaipa Canyon Ranch residence.
Directions from Phoenix (120 miles, 2 hours from Sky Harbor Airport)
From I-10, Take US Highway 60 to Superior. At Superior, take State Highway 177 to Winkelman. At Winkelman, take State Highway 77 south 11 miles to Aravaipa Road (mile marker 124, and Central Arizona College). Turn left and proceed 10 miles (4 paved, 6 unpaved) to a large, steel bridge at the base of Brandenburg Mountain. After crossing the bridge, immediately turn right into the entrance of Aravaipa Canyon Ranch. Depending on the vehicle you are driving and the depth of the creek, you will be advised whether you should park or if you should ford the creek. If advised to park, a shuttle service will be available to assist you with crossing the creek. Once you have crossed the creek, follow the unpaved road to the Aravaipa Canyon Ranch residence.
Take US Highway 77 (Oracle Road) north through Catalina, Oracle Junction, Oracle and Mammoth. At 9 miles north of Mammoth (mile marker 124), turn right on Aravaipa Road (at Central Arizona College). Proceed 10 miles (4 paved, 6 unpaved) to a large steel-framed bridge at the base of Brandenburg Mountain. After crossing the bridge, immediately turn right into the entrance of Aravaipa Canyon Ranch. Proceed past the first residence on your left to the trees and creek crossing at the back of the property. Depending on the vehicle you are driving and the depth of the creek, you will be advised whether you should park or if you should ford the creek. If advised to park, a shuttle service will be available to assist you with crossing the creek. Once you have crossed the creek, follow the unpaved road to the Aravaipa Canyon Ranch residence.
Directions from Phoenix (120 miles, 2 hours from Sky Harbor Airport)
From I-10, Take US Highway 60 to Superior. At Superior, take State Highway 177 to Winkelman. At Winkelman, take State Highway 77 south 11 miles to Aravaipa Road (mile marker 124, and Central Arizona College). Turn left and proceed 10 miles (4 paved, 6 unpaved) to a large, steel bridge at the base of Brandenburg Mountain. After crossing the bridge, immediately turn right into the entrance of Aravaipa Canyon Ranch. Depending on the vehicle you are driving and the depth of the creek, you will be advised whether you should park or if you should ford the creek. If advised to park, a shuttle service will be available to assist you with crossing the creek. Once you have crossed the creek, follow the unpaved road to the Aravaipa Canyon Ranch residence.
Accommodation
Shared dormitory style accommodations are provided as well as hot showers and toilets and a shared kitchen. Camping is also available for those who prefer to camp, yet you will need to bring all your own camping gear. Aravaipa Canyon Ranch offers shared indoor bedrooms or camping in the grassy field adjacent to the creek. Although weather can be unpredictable, we encourage people who are comfortable camping to consider doing so. We've found that people having their own space is supportive to the integration of deep experiences that one may encounter. If weather is challenging, there are enough beds inside for everyone.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Aravaipa Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
Nestled at the foot of Brandenburg Mountain, Aravaipa Canyon Ranch invites you to a quiet getaway for reflection, healing and spiritual renewal. Miles of secluded, ever-changing terrain in the midst of natural, pristine beauty unfold to the accompaniment of the singing waters of Aravaipa Creek, one of Arizona’s all-year-round streams. For more information, go to http://www.aravaiparanch.com/
Nestled at the foot of Brandenburg Mountain, Aravaipa Canyon Ranch invites you to a quiet getaway for reflection, healing and spiritual renewal. Miles of secluded, ever-changing terrain in the midst of natural, pristine beauty unfold to the accompaniment of the singing waters of Aravaipa Creek, one of Arizona’s all-year-round streams. For more information, go to http://www.aravaiparanch.com/
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Dinners are group meals and will be designed, purchased and prepared by the participants for this program in four meal teams. Everyone is responsible for their own breakfasts, lunches, snacks.
What's Included
- accommodations, indoor kitchen
What's Not Included
- airfare or transportation
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