Participant Voices

Tamera

A year ago, I went on a retreat through The Mind Body Ecology Institute in Costa Rica, unaware it would become the catalyst to my spiritual awakening and transformation.  

I was at a crossroads in my life. Everything I had known felt like a lie – my relationship, my career, and an identity that needed to be shared. In Costa Rica, the discomfort I felt, as I became face-to-face with my shadow, and the inauthenticity of my life was unsettling. I had to see the ugliest parts of myself and find the beauty in them.

The people I crossed paths with mirrored back to me my reflection I'm no longer frightened to see the sight of. Immersed in nature, I would be awakened to monkeys and listened to rainfall overnight in the jungle covered in mosquito bites.

Then, I didn't believe it was nature's way of loving me back. Now, I see it as a reminder I am always held – never forsaken, never forgotten. The jungle brought me to my boiling point, and its humidity, washed me of my old skin, and birthed me out of the fur dial, moist soil.

A year later, everything has changed. ❤️

Monserrat

I have not stepped off that cloud. I fight for it every single day, I fight for having a moment to look at the trees in my backyard, the grooves on the trunk, the leaves changing with the weather, the new leaves just starting to sprout. I’m fighting for myself, I’m fighting for the planet, I’m fighting for us all collectively to have these moments, these sacred moments, to have them come to life in all possible ways.

I thank you for creating the most safe and sacred space for all of us. … At the end of the day, this is what we have: the experiences we have with each other that we take with us into our lives. I'm so grateful for the beautiful nine days we spent together. I want to do more of it. I’ve expressed to Blake that I want to be more involved, to open myself to new possibilities. I want to be able to support and give back, however, that looks. I want to be part of the change, I want to continue to grow. I want to continue to give, even when I think I’m running out of giving because I know there’s always more, what multiplies the love, the compassion, the energy. What we give, mutually comes back to us. The more we give, the more we get.

I hope you know how special you are to me, how special those moments were that we shared together, how special they are in my heart and soul, in my journal, in my meditation, in my mindful walking, when I’m at the window in an airplane looking at the clouds, and filled with so many beautiful memories and thoughts about our next steps together – leaving a better footprint on Earth, leaving Earth for future generations better than what we received.

Love you all so much so very much! Namaste and thank you!

Johnnie

My time spent in Costa Rica was transformative and timely. As the opportunity to embark on the journey came at a pivotal emotional crossroads in my life, I welcomed the opportunity to take a deep dive with other like minded souls.

The folks at the Mind Body Ecology Institute crafted and curated safe spaces for meaningful exploration of the outer landscapes, somatic therapies and our own inner psyches. Further, facilitators collaborated with local community leaders and indigenous elders to deepen our experiences and imbue them with a heartfelt spirit of reverence, honor, cultural literacy and respect. Their sensitivity to and ability to respond to the varied needs of all participants was admirable.

I would highly recommend MBEI excursions for beginner and seasoned wellness practitioners alike to assist in refilling of one's cup and to deepen your practice.

Ben

During our time at the June MBEI immersion in Costa Rica this past summer, we got some distance from the dominant Western worldview of materialism and anthropocentrism. In doing so, we began to explore new concepts and stories of self and world, while being supportively held in community.

Ultimately, this experience helped to illuminate the tremendous possibilities that stand before us. The ability to change the stories of the world and our place in it from a fear-based model to a liberated, expansive, and connection-based model.

These times are marked by confusion, divisiveness, and fear. The exciting innovative work we did at MBEI around the ideas of interdependence, belonging, and flourishing is the work that must be done. MBEI is doing its part to transmute the intergenerational traumas of the past into the wisdom and courage necessary to enter the beautiful new world that we all know is within reach.

Through integrating meditative and embodiment practices with intellectual engagement and community building to help us deepen connection to the surrounding ecosystem, MBEI strengthened my sense of unity with the world in which in I live.

I'm honored to have taken part in such a program and excited to see how the Institute evolves and contributes to the global transformation of the collective human psyche.

Surya

Thank you for the memories in a pure and spectacular land. Costa Rica and Finca Camino Nuevo were such a sweet home. Keith’s Watsu even, my favorite wow healing practice!

I loved our community gathering space and the way you deeply and profoundly cultivated community. I am grateful for the curated conversation around how we can continue to meaningfully participate in the ecology of our Earth home.

Also spectacular we’re Sarah’s dance and movement offerings, Blake’s truth practice and Alex’s Tonglen offering. Yes to waterfalls!

I am grateful for the songs and intimacy with the Huni Kuin and would especially like to learn more about the experiences of indigenous women.

Sharing in this time with you and our community was transformative for me.

In beauty and love all ways, Surya