This retreat is for anyone seeking to deepen their connection to the universe (i.e., the Tao), relax the mind and body, and access intuition and flow. Whether you are completely new to Taoist concepts or have been exploring them for years, the practices and teachings are timelessly relevant and will meet you where you are.

No prior experience is necessary. In fact, no experience might even be a benefit. You will receive a copy of the Tao Te Ching upon arrival, along with a notebook and pen, a copy of the schedule, and a few other goodies.

Bring comfortable clothing, an open mind, and a willingness to live, speak, and act from the present moment. You are also encouraged to bring a creative project along (e.g., art, writing, even a business idea that feels authentic). More detailed information will be provided after registration.

Beginning on April 11, 2025, participants will be invited to complete the 83-day Tao Te Ching Mastery course on Insight Timer as a group, ending one day before the retreat begins. This way, we can have a shared experience leading up to our time together in person. This is totally optional and not required.

It's natural to feel hesitation before stepping into something new. The wu wei approach is to honor where you are and allow your intuition to guide you. This retreat is about gently loosening resistance rather than forcing acceptance. Feel free to reach out if you have any concerns or questions.

It is both. While we will have guided sessions, group discussions, and much opportunity for deep interpersonal connection, there will also be plenty of time for individual personal reflection, meditation, and simply being. The retreat is designed to balance communal experience with individual contemplation to suit the kind of experience you'd like to have.

Through guided practices inspired by wu wei (effortless un-forced action), meditation, and body-based awareness, you’ll learn to relax the mind and body, allowing intuition and natural flow to arise spontaneously. This retreat emphasizes moving away from overthinking and stepping into direct experience.

This retreat is not religious but rather focuses on practical wisdom drawn from the Taoist tradition and specifically from the readings of the Tao Te Ching. The practices are designed to enhance well-being, awareness, and natural presence, regardless of one’s religious or spiritual background.

You are encouraged to explore the material with an open mind, but there is no requirement to accept anything presented. And if you disagree, this would be lovely fodder for present-based discussion. The Taoist approach values direct experience over rigid beliefs, so feel free to take what resonates and leave the rest. The retreat is a space for discovery, not conformity.

Creative expression is essential to the human living experience. When you become genuinely present, there is a tendency to access a reservoir of creative intuition. So, if it's of interest, we encourage you to bring along a creative project. This could be anything. It could be something you've been working on for a long time, or that you just started, or that you've been wanting to start but have been putting off. Or it could just be an intention to see what creativity arises during the retreat.