The Journey Within Retreat
Oct 19-23 2023 | Ashland, OR
“Don’t go off sightseeing. The real journey is right here. The great excursion starts from exactly where you are. You are the world. You have everything you need. You are the secret. You are the wide opened.” - Rumi
The Journey Within Retreat is a gathering of 25 individuals committed to growth and expansion for a holistic weekend of yoga, interactive sessions, breathwork, dream exploration, meditation, and immersion in nature.
Awake In The Dream
Reconnecting to your true nature can be a challenging thing to do, especially with the many competing demands of worldly life. Join like-minded Ismailis, both practicing and non-practicing, in creating a safe container for self-exploration and self-renewal.
This unique retreat invites you to challenge the boundaries of your consciousness and step into the dynamic interplay between the dreaming and waking states. By harnessing the practices of yoga, meditation, breathwork, and dream exploration, we aim to facilitate a profound encounter with your inner self and the hidden layers of your consciousness.
Nestled in the Ashland Mountains, you will connect to the land and the Indigenous People who gathered on the same land for peace and healing centuries ago.
Nourish yourself through wholesome meals made with organic, locally-sourced ingredients.
In this environment, you're invited to inquire deeply, listen fully, and share authentically.
Join us for a four day immersive experience to journey within yourself. Your personal search can take on many forms and every person has their own unique story. If you are curious and willing to dive deeper into yourself within a safe and collective container, this is a wonderful program for you.
Testimonials
"It was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"I am so excited for my journey instead of facing it with fear, so I am very very veryyyy grateful to you for putting this together, SO WELLLLL, especially for the first time. It truly feels like a beautiful dream. Thank you :)"
"The food was amazing, the staff was astounding, and the sense of community created was upfliting and healing. 10/10 would recommend."
The Investment
The cost of this program is $875. This includes accommodation for 4 nights, all meals, all content sessions, and transportation to and from Medford Airport.
Airfare is not included.
With limited spaces available, acceptance is based on first come, first serve basis.
Accommodations
The Journey Within Retreat will take place at Buckhorn Springs Resort, A 124-acre inholding of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in the Ashland Mountains in Ashland OR. An enchanting place where one feels connected to the land beginning with Indigenous People who gathered on this ground for peace and healing centuries ago.
Buckhorn Springs provides a unique environment nestled in its own small valley with a creek, old oaks, ponderosa pines, tall aromatic cedars, and open meadows.
Hello from Your Team
Shamir Virani
Shamir is passionate about restoring harmony and balance within the Self as well as in relationship to the environment.
In the past, he has served as a co-facilitator at retreats oriented around holistic living as well as various roles with Jubilee Monuments Corp. Trained as a Life Coach with the Satvatove Institute, he focuses on psychedelic journey Integration and trauma-informed somatic experience.
For the past few years, he’s been working with plant medicines and connecting with indigenous wisdom via teachers in South America. Particularly, working with the plant spirits with the Shipibo, connecting and working with the elements and mountain energies with the Queros, and exploring the role of dreams in community with the Sapara.
He is currently diving deeper into pranic healing, the relationship between dreams and the personal unconscious, and playing the guitar. He enjoys gardening, cooking, poetry, music, bird-watching, and photography.
Zamir Dhanji
Zamir is a yoga educator, holistic counsellor, storyteller and artist who facilates processes and supportive spaces that empower people to shift from separation to wholeness.
He teaches yoga asana, pranayama, meditation and yoga philosophy through retreats, classes and training programs. In 2020 he founded Mystic Yogi and published The Inner Path Deck, a tool for yoga seekers looking to integrate the 8 limbs of yoga into their life.
Trained in Compassionate Inquiry, a somatic-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Gabor Mate, he runs a program for healing attachment trauma called “Patterns to Presence” with behavioural scientist Sabrina Lakhani.
Born to Sikh and Ismaili parents, Zamir has a particular love for Sufi and Sikh devotional poetry, prayer and music. His primary spiritual training has been under buddhist Ati-yoga-yoga Wisdom Master, Maticintin, founder of HUMUH : Clear Mind Buddhism. Over a decade he has spent extended periods studying meditation, buddhist logic and learning how to live the dharma for a balanced life of wisdom and compassion.
Arzina Karimi
Arzina is a curious soul with a deep reverence for Mother Nature as the ultimate teacher of life. She is passionate about cultivating harmony with the land, indigenous reciprocity, re-wilding the programmed feminine, healing through food, yoga, and building community for collective healing.
Arzina is an integrative health coach with an emphasis in Ayurveda and herbal medicine through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is also certified in holistic Hatha yoga through TRU Yoga. She enjoys combining the power of nutrition and somatic modalities to bring individuals back into remembrance of their innate healing wisdom.
She recently spent time with the indigenous Bribri tribe of Costa Rica, connecting with their ancestral lands, learning about agroforestry practices, and deepening her relationship with their most sacred medicine, cacao.
Things that currently bring Arzina joy are learning from indigenous wisdom, connecting with the natural elements, yoga, living in community, cooking nourishing meals, sisterhood, and traveling.
Questions Answered
Who is The Journey Within retreat for?
This four day immersive experience is for those looking to take a deep journey of self-exploration. This personal search is a lifelong process and can take on many forms throughout the course of our life. At certain stages, it can be helpful to share a collective experience in a safe healing container and that is what we hope to create.
To draw upon a sense of community and shared values to create a container of understanding, the Journey Within Retreat is open to all Ismailis (practicing and non-practicing) ages 25-45.
Please note that this is an independent event and is not affiliated with the Ismaili Council or Jamati Institutions.
Can I apply if I live in Canada?
Yes! Anyone residing in North America is welcome to submit an application.
What is included in the program cost?
The investment for this retreat is $875 USD. This includes accommodations for 4 nights at Buckhorn Springs Resort in Ashland, Oregon. This covers all meals, airport shuttle service, housing, activities, sessions, and access to the beautiful and expansive land you’ll be staying on.
What is NOT included is your flight or other modes of transportation to and from the retreat site.
Why do I have to fill out an application?
The application is an integral part of getting to know you and to ensure there is alignment with this program. It’s also where you can make a note of things that will keep your body happy and nourished, such as dietary preferences and anything you’d like us to be aware of for your health and wellbeing.
Can I attend with my partner or spouse?
Yes! If you feel inspired to go on this journey together, you are most welcome to apply as a couple. Please indicate this on your application form. Your partner must also submit an application. Interfaith couples are welcome to apply as well.
What should I expect for accommodations?
You’ll be housed in one of the ultra cozy cabins or lodge. Please note that you will likely share space with a roommate, depending on availability (you will have your own bed). If you’re applying as a couple, please note this in your application form so we can house you accordingly.
What kind of physical activity will be offered?
Physical activity will be conducted throughout the course of the weekend including but not limited to walking uphill and downhill between different venues along with exercises (e.g. hiking, yoga, etc.). If there are concerns about mobility, please note this on your application at the end.
Is there a payment plan available?
Unfortunately, not at this time.
Can I arrive late or depart from the retreat early?
This retreat is meant to be experienced in its entirety and requires a full commitment. We want you to get the most of all this retreat has to offer.
Will I have access to the internet and/or cell service?
We invite you to use this as an opportunity to unplug from technology and immerse yourself in the beautiful and abundant nature that will surround you. However, there is Wi-Fi on-site in all the buildings. The connection can be slower on some days than others. For cell service, please note there is no service on site, except with AT&T.
Which airport do I fly in and out of?
Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR). This is a small airport, so you may find yourself with a connecting flight from your city. Incoming flights must arrive before 5:30pm on October 19 and outgoing flights must depart after 12:30pm on October 23 to allow for sufficient time for program activities. If your attendance is confirmed, we will be in touch to discuss your travel arrangements.
What happens if I have to cancel after I’ve already paid and can’t attend anymore?
We understand plans can change. Please note that we cannot guarantee a refund. In the case that we find a replacement for your spot, you will be fully refunded. We cannot offer any refunds beyond that at this time.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Not to worry! We collect your dietary information in the application you’ll fill out. Food is an important aspect of the daily experience, and we want to keep your body nourished in a way that it will happily receive it. The lovely Chef Marion and Chef Fatima will be preparing a mixed cuisine of delicious, wholesome, organic, and fresh meals every day.
What might a day at The Journey Within look like?
The Journey Within’s approach is designed to be holistic. We focus on integrating our organizing principles of spiritual expression, mindfulness, and relationship with Self and others.
You will be invited to participate in a balanced and full day with activities such as nature walks, yoga, breath work, structured and independent reflection, collective song and dance, and interactive workshops.
Who do I reach out to if I have a question?
Email us at hello@journeywithinretreat.com.