Animas Valley Institute -

Brendan Ritcheson

i have been participating in offerings from AVI since june, 2021. it has been riveting, exhilarating, inspiring & profoundly life-changing. my relationship w earth, w nature, has been reignited in a deeply meaningful way, calling on & developing my innocence, my imagination & my creativity. my self development, my psychospiritual wholeness, has also been accelerated. Bill Plotkin’s work has been a real surprise late in (my) game. all this being said, being eco-awakened in these desperate times requires a durable heart; understanding & accepting the terrible truth of these times as it relates to the planet’s pain- & future- is truly difficult in the extreme. AVI has introduced me to a new conversation around ‘soul,’ & invited me to deeply consider the creature i am w/o all the trappings of humankind, how i might best offer my unique gifts to the world. i am incredibly grateful i discovered AVI even as i feel the lateness of my years. the offerings/experiences AVI provides are uniquely western & not simply culturally appropriated practices reimagined. the guides do an incredible job of creating & holding these sacred containers & keeping all participants in the deepest, most sublime of conversations. i highly recommend AVI for the truly deep divers.
i would hope every human in these dire times cultivate a deep connection w Earth, the land, & all the beings we share the world with. AVI is uniquely able to facilitate these relationships, w its unique approaches to ceremony, dreamwork, deep imagination journeys, deep nature connection & ultimately, soul encounter/initiation…

Magda Ciurlik

I attended The Art of Council and Mirroring in Taft Gardens.
Our campsite was at Lake Casitas which is home to many species of water fowl, turkey vultures, hawks, frogs, coyotes. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, There are many opportunities to befriend the dark. Taft gardens where we had our wanders and council training are like paradise, located between two rivers and opening up to mountain vistas and trails.
Like all my experiences with Animas this one was also magical and transformational. It deepened my love for the mysteries of Nature, opened up ancient receptors of knowing, sensing, communicating. I find the art of mirroring another being, human or non human ,priceless. I am very grateful for the tools and practices Animas offers to cultivate psychic wholeness , individually and collectively.

Shu Cao Mo

It's been a long time since my days at Mt. Sinai that I felt such a profound connection to nature. I am in awe of life's mysteries and the synchronicities of the natural world. This experience has reassured me to trust in natural wanderings, to yield to the longing of my heart, and to step into the field of my soul's wisdom. Listening to the stories of fellow participants has humbled me deeply. Each wander and ceremony served as a cleansing journey, shedding the masks that veiled my soul.

Jessica Talley

Several months after the Winter Desert Fast, I continue to process and appreciate the profound insights I gained from my experience in the sacred lands of coyote, raven, white sage, overly-friendly cholla, and a thousand rainbows. The beautiful landscape and compassionate beings in attendance inspired and challenged me to examine myself, my protectors, and the inner workings of my heart. I was able to recognize my strengths and resilience throughout the challenging journey. I was surprised to identify parts of myself that have been hiding in plain sight for the majority of my life and now I have the honored privilege to love them, thank them for their protection, and welcome them home. My gratitude for the journeys I've taken through Animas Valley and the changes I've integrated from my experiences know no bounds.

Jerry RIverstone

I've had the pleasure of attending a number of programs and trainings with Animas Valley Institute in recent years, and cherish all the varied experiences. I'm deeply grateful to Geneen, Bill, Brian, and all of the other skilled, mature, experienced, and caring guides and apprentices I've been out under the starry skies with -- and the other participants.

Participating in the yearlong soulcraft immersion was a once in a lifetime experience of being supported by wise elders who understand the terrain of soul initiation. There is so much magic, depth, and wisdom to be found here that is largely absent in contemporary western society. The overarching vision is one of reweaving humanity back into sacred relationship with the web of life.

Finally, I love all of Bill's books, and the ways he integrates insights from depth and developmental psychology, soul poetry, traditional cultures, and decades of guiding wilderness experiences. But even for those who aren't drawn to the books, it may be helpful to know that AVI's programs are experiential rather than academic, inviting you deeper into your own inner depths and your unfolding relationship with Mystery and the wild world.

Miranda Capelle

The vision fast I did with Animus was one of the most transformative experiences I've had. The guides were highly skilled and wove a beautiful container.

Santiago Carsolio

My first Animas intensive, I just want to give humongous congratulations to everyone involved in the design and facilitation of the program.
Everything was as good or better than what I would have imagined.
Every single second, penny and kilometer was worth it!

If you are looking to go deep, to have life changing pivotal moments and just be…you are in the right place.

You guys really walk the talk, congratulations! You are an example of the depth that transformative experiences can achieve.

Hope to be in many more!

Mark Heminway

I did the Advanced Sonoran Desert Quest, November 2023, which included the fasting solo. This was a great experience and provided a much needed break from the outside world to dive deep inside and explore my soul.

At first I was concerned with camping in the desert, having lived my life in the Northeast. But as the time went on, I fell in love with the beauty and abundance found in the desert. The stillness and scenic beauty just grows on you.

The experience was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. Would recommend the program to anyone wanting a clean break from the past to start their new future.