Drum Building
Cold Plunges
Cacao Ceremony
Meditations
Fishing and Exploring
Yoga
Animist Gratitude Ritual
Backpacking 101
Reawaken Your Animism
Pain, Sacrifice, and Empathetic Reciprocity
Relating to Your Body
Animism & Shamanism in History
Practical Applications of Mythology
Entering the Spiritual Wilderness
Animism is the understanding that all things are in relationship with one another. Life is relationship. With your environment, family, partner, but also with yourself, your work, your passions, and indeed the natural world around you.
Dictionary definitions of animism often misunderstand this, defaulting to, "belief that everything has a spirit". There is some truth to this, but it doesn't get to the heart of the matter.
Ancient people from virtually every corner of the world were animists. They understood that the interaction between sun, water, and soil created food for them. Their connections with each other kept them safe. Relationship with the animals around them was a central focus of their lives.
Things have changed a great deal for most of us.
We feel longing, distance, and disconnection every day. Certainly people have always had these sensations but everyone agrees it is growing steadily worse. Many wisdom keepers from cultures across our world warn of the lack of animism in our lives. It has been replaced with screens, packed schedules, division, hatred, and the inescapable feeling that we've lost something as a species that we once held dear.
In truth, we are still animists. We evolved this trait as a survival mechanism and it can still be seen in a myriad of ways. But how can we fully embrace our animistic nature in a way that works better for us in our daily lives?
A great deal of scientific study, anthropological scholarship, and historical research continues to be done regarding these complex topics. Some cultures retain their ancient knowings and have eagerly shared them with the wider world in hopes of reawakening our sleeping spirits. There is a worldwide effort to begin healing, to reconnect, and to find means to apply the wisdom of the elder days to our modern chaos.
This workshop aims to be part of that movement. We have been collecting information, knowledge, and learning through years of study and are now eager to share it with you.
Our adventure will begin deep in the Bitterroot Mountains, where we will hike to a secluded lake and camp for three nights. The hike will take us through boulder-strewn forests, above dramatic cliff sides, and over crystal clear creeks fresh enough to drink out of. If we're lucky we'll see frogs in the marshes and loons will serenade us to sleep. Dozens of bats feast on bugs over the lake each night, sometimes passing close enough that you can feel the beats of their wings.
Experienced hikers and backpackers consider this hike to be incredibly easy. New adventurers may be challenged a little, but will find the journey well worth it. We will teach you everything you need to know about living out of your backpack in the wilderness, and will ensure that you are well prepared.
The purpose of this workshop is to teach on and share in the quest to bring animism back into our daily lives. We will inform you about the history of animistic living and share the tools that such cultures use. Our knowledge is both rigorously researched and deeply felt through personal experience. Our hope is to teach, learn, share, and grow stronger in our relationship with the universe and each other.
See "Your Hosts" below to learn more about us and our credentials.
A couple weeks prior to the workshop we will meet one another, go over the basics of backpacking, prepare you for your journey, and answer any questions.
The morning of August 22nd we will leave Missoula from a prearranged meeting spot. If you need a ride we will be happy to provide you one!
Casually making our way to the lake, we will stop at a beautiful location for lunch and a brief lesson. Upon arriving at the lake we will set up our camp and soak the deer hides for the drums we'll be building together.
Each day after the first we will begin with an optional cold plunge in the lake, guided by Ashleigh. Then Kyra will lead us in some gentle yoga. Feel free to bring yoga clothes and a yoga mat or just do it in the dirt in your PJs!
We will spend time teaching on the topics below throughout each day, and will have several activities. There will be a number of guided meditations using various methods. There will be plenty of time to explore the mountains, ridges, forests, marshes, cliffs, and boulder fields. The lake is great for swimming and fishing. Napping in the hammock and lounging by the lake are also highly recommended!
At night we will roast marshmallows and tell campfire stories, ending the final night with a group ritual in which we will play our new drums together and howl to the moon. Sleeping by the fire underneath the stars is recommended but not required.
On the morning of August 25th we will say farewell to the lake by playing our drums one last time. Another casual hike will bring us back to our vehicles. It is our intention that we all return to civilization renewed, empowered, and ready to bring new energy into our lives and community.
The basics of animism, how animistic people think, and the benefits of animistic living
We will provide the materials (including deer hide) to build your own drum, discuss the significance of drum building, and show you how drums are used in animist rituals
How ancient and modern animists enter the wilderness, the spiritual and practical reasons for this, mythological evidence for these practices, how to listen to the wilderness, safety tips
Moving into relationship with sacrifice and our exchange with the landscape
Developing a better relationship with your body and learning how to listen to its needs
Making appropriate offerings with a helpful mindset, history of traditional sacrifices throughout the world
What anthropology, history, and myth teach us about animism and shamanism
We will have several group discussions about our lives and personal paths, focusing on how animism can be applied to you personally, sharing not required but recommended
A cacao ritual, the significance of spirit animals, working with animal remains, creating sacred symbols, and much more will be discussed and shared
Please fill out this application if you are interested in joining. There are only 10 spots so get it in ASAP! We will be in contact soon after receiving your application. If you are accepted we will provide additional information such as location of the lake, specific meeting times, and anything else you'd like to know. The total cost of the workshop is $200 per member, we will request this by the deadline in your acceptance letter.
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