Psychedelic mushroom Retreats

The Psychedelic Retreat Experience-A Break from Reality

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” 

Anne Lamott

The Psychedelic mushroom Retreat experience is a break from reality. A break from the constant striving–to be better and do better. A break from not enough–not enough time or money. A break from too much–too much to do, too many responsibilities.  

What most of us need is a break, not a breakdown.

Imagine what it would feel like to unplug from the daily grind and allow yourself time to think freely and creatively. To contemplate what’s next in your life. To give yourself a time out to get quiet, relax your mind, and open to new possibilities. 

The psychedelic retreat takes place on sacred ground in the mountains of Southwest Colorado, under an open sky, with our feet on the earth, around a ceremonial fire. In the fresh air and year round sunshine, stress and tension melt away. There’s no hurry to get anywhere, we’re right where we need to be. The intention is to clear the deck, remove distractions, and make space for peace and clarity. As the outer world noise falls away a broader perspective emerges. In a spirit of deep inquiry, listening and self reflection, we discover what we’ve come to learn about ourselves.

When someone finds their way to the fire and the medicine, it’s because they’ve felt a call to something more authentic and true within themselves.  Even if they aren’t sure what that something is, it won’t leave them alone. They may be wondering, what am I supposed to be doing with my life? Or, what’s going on with me? They’re restless, curious, even frustrated. They’re successful, and sometimes struggling, like most of us. It’s a question of what to do with this “one wild and precious life,” as poet Mary Oliver writes. Often it’s a call to awaken, to pay attention, and to make the best of the rest of our lives. 

On the first day of the retreat, after arriving and settling in, we head up to the fire circle to get acquainted. With the fire burning, we open the ceremony with a ritual to delineate the world outside the circle from the world inside. We come together and create a safe container for authentic sharing. As the sun sets and the stars come out, we spend time in meaningful conversation. The warmth of the fire on our faces and the chill night air at our backs helps us to realize it’s safe to open up to each other. The fire circle brings us into the light of our own wisdom and authenticity. In the firelight we listen and reflect, and our hearts become more open. We get to know one another, talk about what we’re up against and what our intentions are as we lay the ground for our medicine journey the next night.

 After we close the circle, we head back for a soul warming dinner of homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh baked bread, organic green salad, and chocolate for dessert.

Over coffee and during breakfast the following day, our conversation continues to unfold as we make ready for our medicine journey. After breakfast there’s time to read and journal or go for a hike in the woods. Later we’ll make a medicine bag talisman to take into the ceremony. In the afternoon, we have lunch and then go into a quiet time. After we come back together, we gather our gear and head up to the fire circle. As before, we open with a ritual to set sacred space. With sage smoke we bless ourselves and the plant medicine, find our places around the fire, and prepare to enter into the medicine journey.

Each journey has an arc–a beginning, a middle and an end. What happens in between is rarely predictable and always memorable.  Through deep listening, we learn things about ourselves in an inquiry that is often life changing. Immersed in nature around a ceremonial fire, we unearth wisdom and insights. Who we are and the reason why we are here become more clear.  We have the opportunity to offer our prayers, our blessings, and our gratitude, and to unburden ourselves of anything we want to leave at the fire. A rich discussion arises out of our shared experience. 

After the journey we have a hearty feast right on the stone hearth to celebrate our time together. Our conversation eventually winds down amidst yawns and we call it a night and sleep under the stars, or return to the lodge.

In the morning we unpack and integrate our experience, putting into perspective the insights and openings from the night before. Later in the day we go into town for a rejuvenating soak at the hot springs, and continue our integration through deep relaxation in the water element. We end the day with an early dinner and an early bedtime. 

The following day we prepare for the next medicine journey, much as we did for the first. This second journey will take us into a more profound experience, followed by another day of integration to anchor the memory. Our conversation helps to find ways to translate the transformation into our daily lives. On this second day of integration we have a choice of activities: a mountain hike, lounging by the Animas River, or relaxing in a coffee shop downtown. An early dinner, a scoop of organic ice cream, and a walk down Main Street rounds out the day and brings our retreat to a close. 

In a rare kind of mastermind, we are engaged in a conversation for possibility that broadens and deepens. At every turn it reveals new insights and openings. We learn best when we’re having fun, feeling a sense of connection, and spending time in nature. The psychedelic retreat experience is a profound opportunity for healing and transformation in safe, sacred space. 

Reflections on the Retreat Experience With Dr. Tom Garcia

My angels guided me to Tom. Although the medicine was not new for me, I was going through a difficult time in which I desired the wisdom of the mushroom but could not create the space in which to connect with them on my own. 

I was not sure what to do. I felt stuck. I knew I needed support and guidance that was focused solely on my path and journey. Someone who would understand my perspective, connection, and see me clearly even when I was struggling to see and remember myself. 

During a session connecting with my guardian angels, they shared Tom’s name with me. Speaking with Tom was like reconnecting with an old friend and I knew I had found the support I needed.

I was longing for a reconnection to self. 

I spent 5 days in a retreat with Tom in August of 2024. The container and space he creates and holds in his home and on the land are a beautiful gift. Vital for delving into challenging questions and to experience awesome realizations. Tom asks the right questions–the ones needed to bring forth the answers we seek and know deep within ourselves. 

After many months of struggling with difficult questions about my path and relationship, I was able to move forward, grounded in love and a deep remembering. After 8 months, I felt called to sit once again with Tom at the fire. 

Surrendering to the medicine and following your heart when you feel the call, is nothing short of the most beautiful gift you can give to yourself. Coming to the fire, coming to the medicine, is love. It is love for yourself, and that self love connects you to Source and a deep remembering of who you are. 

Tom has created a sacred space of remembering and connecting and I am beyond grateful to sit at the fire and share the medicine with him. Tom is and will always be a meaningful and sacred teacher, mentor, and friend on my life’s journey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. — Amy C.

About Psychedelic mushroom Retreats with Dr. Tom Garcia

• Retreats are held in our retreat-style home on 360 acres of privately owned land.
• Retreats are 1:1 and in small groups of 4-8 persons.

Private Retreats:

• 3-day retreats offer 2 fire ceremonies, including one medicine ceremony, a day of integration.     
• 5-day retreats offer 3 fire ceremonies, including two medicine ceremonies, two days of integration, and a day at the sauna/hot tub or hot springs and dinner.

Group Retreats:

• Group retreats are 3-5 days, 2 fire ceremonies, including one medicine ceremony, one day of integration. May include hot springs and dinner in Durango depending on duration of retreat.
• Retreats include a Zoom call before to prepare and a Zoom call after to continue the integration experience. Emails, texts, and phone calls are as often as needed.
• Accommodations are private, comfortable, spacious. Includes delicious meals, healthy snacks, transportation to and from the airport. Upon arrival you are well attended. Your safety and comfort are primary.
• Additional trained support staff are available depending upon needs and size of retreat.

The choice to work with psilocybin mushrooms is a very personal one, often in response to an inner call.

You may be struggling with something.

What are you struggling with?

You may be up against something.

What are you up against?

You may be experiencing tension, if not struggle.

What is the tension in your life?

You’re reaching for something.

What are you reaching for?

The answers may reveal themselves on a call, at the fire, during the journey or after, in a rich, uncommon dialogue.

My work with plant medicine is ceremonial, connected to the elements, in a safe, sacred container, outside around a fire or in a yurt with a wood burning stove.

Ceremonial work with plant medicine is more than a psychedelic experience, it’s a spiritual journey—one that is healing, life affirming, and transformational.

To find out more and to get your questions answered, let’s schedule a ZOOM call and talk it through.

You’re here for a reason.

Love and Blessings, 

Tom