Original Medicine Earth-Based Intensive Immersion Retreat
July 22–28, 2025 | Week-Long Retreat | 7 Days | Tuesday to Monday
Experience a transformative journey blending Buddhist teachings and Indigenous wisdom. Immerse in healing practices that restore balance, cultivate authentic connection, and deepen self-discovery. Open to all adults 21+ who seek to remember their Original Medicine in communion with nature.
Modalities Included In This Northern California Retreat
Silent Mornings
Contemplative & Relational Practices
Community Council
Guided Mindful Movement
Time for Rest & Self-Care
Solo Wilderness Time
Wisdom Talks
Ceremony & Rituals
Who the Retreat Is For
This retreat is designed for adults 21+ of all backgrounds who are drawn to reconnect with their inherent wisdom and the rhythms of the Earth. It warmly welcomes those seeking a profound experience in community—individuals interested in healing, mindful living, and personal growth in a nature-immersive environment. Whether participants are curious beginners or seasoned practitioners, this retreat offers a unique chance to explore how Buddhist teachings, Indigenous wisdom, and embodied practices can illuminate their life’s path.
Retreat Description
Discovering Your Original Medicine
Rooted in the powerful teachings of Braided Wisdom, the Original Medicine Earth-Based Intensive Immersion Retreat distills the essence of a yearlong healing program into an immersive in-person land experience. Participants will explore their own Original Medicine through contemplative practices, community engagement, and restorative time in nature—inviting a true remembrance of who they are at the core. By weaving together Buddhist insights and Indigenous wisdom, the retreat helps participants experience deep transformation on every level of being.
As one of the Mindfulness Retreats offered in Northern California, this program integrates Silent Mornings and Community Council to create spaciousness for self-inquiry and meaningful connection. Each day begins in silence, allowing for a gentle inward turning, before participants gather in circle to share their reflections and intentions, cultivating a sense of trust and collective support.
Embracing Earth-Based Community & Indigenous Wisdom
A foundational element of this immersive experience is its emphasis on Earth-based practices. Recognizing that nature is not separate from who we are, the retreat invites participants to explore the Redwood forest through Solo Wilderness Time, Ceremony & Rituals, and Guided Mindful Movement. This shared connection to land and community sets the stage for profound transformation. Indeed, many participants describe these Earth-Based Indigenous Retreats as life-changing opportunities to deepen their bond with the Earth, themselves, and one another.
Through Contemplative & Relational Practices, participants learn to attune to their surroundings while discovering their personal and ancestral connections. Engaging directly with the land fosters a grounded clarity—an opening toward understanding that the well-being of all is inextricably linked to the well-being of the Earth.
A Healing Journey for All
Designed as one of today’s vital Indigenous Centered-Retreats, the Original Medicine Retreat resonates with individuals from every walk of life, including those who identify as BIPOC and those who do not. The retreat’s facilitators collectively bring decades of experience in Buddhist study, Indigenous ceremony, and community-based wellness practices. Together, they hold a safe and affirming container for introspection, emotional release, and cultural affirmation.
By combining Wisdom Talks with accessible Guided Mindful Movement, participants receive both intellectual insights and embodied exploration. This holistic approach to healing is at the heart of Braided Wisdom’s mission—to braiding together Buddhist teachings and Indigenous perspectives into a supportive tapestry that honors wholeness and personal truth.
Rest, Reflection & Renewal
A standout feature of this retreat is the space created for genuine rest, self-care, and rejuvenation. Recognizing that modern life can be overwhelming, the facilitators place special attention on offering Time for Rest & Self-Care alongside community activities. Healthy vegetarian meals served daily further support participants in feeling nourished, grounded, and ready to integrate their experiences.
Past retreatants have shared how the ceremonies, rituals, and relational practices helped them access a deeper reservoir of strength, compassion, and wisdom. Through heartfelt testimony, they speak of renewed capacity for self-love, forgiveness, and an enhanced sense of connection with all beings. This integrative approach aligns with the heart-opening aspects that make this one of the most sought-after Healing Retreats in Northern California.
This experience is perfect for those searching for:
Healing Retreats, Mindfulness Retreats, Indigenous Centered-Retreats, Buddhist Retreats for BIPOC communities, Retreats for BIPOC communities, Earth-Based Community Retreats, Healing Justice Retreats, Buddhist Mindfulness Retreats, Earth-Based Indigenous Retreats, Self-Care Retreats, Indigenous Wisdom
About The Retreat Facilitators:
Carol Cano (she/her) is the Founder and Executive Director of Braided Wisdom, a teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and co-founder of Philippine Insight Meditation Community. Grounded in Basque, Native American, and Buddhist influences, Carol integrates psychology with Dharma and Indigenous wisdom, holding a compassionate space for individual and community healing.
Janet Roos, Carmen Alvarez, and Kimber Simpkins-Nuccio bring additional depths of experience in mindfulness, embodiment, and earth-based healing. Their collaborative energy enriches the retreat container, ensuring that every participant feels seen, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Mario Castillo (he/him) is a Board Director and Teaching Assistant with 15 years of dedicated Buddhist practice. He has been closely involved in sangha communities, co-founding groups focused on inclusion and belonging. Mario offers valuable insights into organizational diversity, equity, and the interplay of Buddhism and social justice.
Jonathan Relucio is a Teaching Assistant and Movement Teacher with over 20 years of experience in social services and community organizing. A Senior Trainer for Niroga Institute for a decade, he brings expertise in trauma-informed yoga, meditation, restorative circles, and leadership facilitation—using embodiment and the arts as practices of liberation.
Sarwang Parikh (he/they) is a psychotherapist and meditation teacher who has been exploring the Dharma path for over 20 years. Teaching at East Bay Meditation Center and other community spaces, Sarwang uplifts Buddhist, Vedic, and earth-based influences in his work, holding a reverent container for healing and self-discovery.
Learn More and Book
Spirit Camp Retreat Center
Journey beyond the Bay Area’s bustle and into Mendocino’s storied woodlands, where Northern California Retreats at Spirit Camp provide a nourishing environment for self-exploration, healing, and community. The redwoods here speak without words, their towering presence reminding you that you, too, can reach upward toward new possibilities. Along private forest trails, ancient ferns and soft moss hint at the timeless cycles of growth and renewal. Around campfires, heartfelt dialogues spark between strangers who quickly become friends, united by the shared longing for authenticity and connection.
Spirit Camp’s calendar overflows with options, reflecting the many paths toward personal transformation. Immerse yourself in healing retreats that integrate breathwork, somatics, and mindfulness, or embrace your physicality through dance and embodiment retreats that let you express emotions wordlessly. Owned by a queer couple devoted to inclusivity, this center welcomes men’s gatherings, women’s weekends, and groups of all genders and identities. Whether your interest lies in yoga, ancestral reconnection, or simply the desire to unplug from screens and reconnect with the land’s quiet wisdom, you’ll find a nurturing space to thrive here.
Accommodations cater to your preferred level of immersion: private cabins invite restorative solitude, while camping and glamping options open the door to a more immediate communion with nature’s gentle lullaby. Each season brings its unique charm: winter’s cozy hush for introspection, spring’s lush revival, summer’s starry nights that dance above the treetops, and autumn’s quiet invitation to release what no longer serves. The center’s intention is always the same—to offer a nurturing haven where you can tend to your inner garden and watch it bloom.
As you prepare to depart, you’ll notice subtle shifts within yourself. A sense of calm where there was once tension, a feeling of openness where there was once guardedness. The lessons gleaned from redwood groves and warm conversations accompany you back into the world. In the days and weeks to come, you’ll find yourself increasingly attuned to the magic you activated here—resilient, compassionate, and deeply in tune with the core of who you are.