Wisdom Teachings

M̓i tel'nexw Leadership Transformation

With Chepximiya Siyam' Hereditary Chief Janice George, Squamish Nation, Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph, Squamish Nation, Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, Squamish Nation and Lloyd James Attig, Muskoday First Nation, Plains Cree

Open Dates
Cortes Island
This program is being rescheduled, please sign up to be notified of the new dates. // Are you ready to unlearn supremacy and apply Indigenous teachings to your work? Learn new ways of being from Squamish Elders and Decolonial Facilitators in this 5-day immersive training and transformation. M̓i tel'nexw Leadership Transformation is an experiential learning designed with an appreciative approach that responds to improving what is currently lacking in “cultural competency” training.

Mindful Self-Compassion

With Megan Prager and Martin Thomson-Jones, PhD

June 13 - 18, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Application is required before registering. You may apply here. This 5-day residential program is an intensive form of the internationally recognized, eight-session Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training developed by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. It is open to laypeople and professionals alike. Participants will learn to: understand the science of self-compassion, practice self-compassion in daily life, […]

Qi Medicine: A Silent Qigong and Tea Ceremony Retreat

With Stephanie Nosco and Catherine (Cat) Reynolds

June 13 - 18, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Experience the medicine of qigong, tea, and nature on this transformative inner journey back to yourself.  Join Qigong teacher, author, and psychotherapist Stephanie Nosco, alongside tea ceremonialist Catherine Reynolds, for this special silent retreat that will explore the art of Qigong and the mindful practice of tea ceremony. We will practice in social silence, encouraging […]

Wild Soma Being and Becoming: Embodied Practices for Collective Thriving

With Andrea Nann, Julia Aplin, Roula Said and Shannon Litzenberger

June 22 - 27, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

In this time of intersecting social, political, and planetary crises, how do we embrace and honour all that is arising in us as bodies? What if we listen closely to what we feel in our hearts, what we know in our bones? Can we resonate care and connection across our differences, tuning into our sense […]

More-Than-Human Rights: Pushing the Boundaries of Law, Science & Storytelling to Re-Animate the World

With Monica Gagliano, César Rodríguez-Garavito, Cosmo Sheldrake and Merlin Sheldrake

July 2 - 6, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Explore the ideas and actions on rights of nature that are helping re-enchant the world in a stunning natural setting with César Rodríguez-Garavito, Merlin Sheldrake, Monica Gagliano, Cosmo Sheldrake and the More-Than-Human Rights collective. What does it mean to treat animals, plants, fungi, rivers, forests, oceans, and other more-than-human beings as subjects of rights? Through […]

Slow Art, Somatic Practice, and Creative Rest

With Shauna Kaendo, Registered Art Therapist | BFA, RCAT and Trudi Smith, Registered Clinical Counsellor | MC, MA, PhD

July 11 - 16, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Being in conversation with art, process, and our bodies. In this therapeutic arts program, we offer a blend of creative care practices…getting curious about what that can look and feel like, both individually and in community. Through creative meanderings with solo and collective art-making processes like bilateral drawing, stick brush making, sculptural wrapping, watercolour and […]

Living the Legacy: Honoring the Life & Teachings of Atum O’Kane

With Margie Gillis, Kairn Mahon Carrington, Oriane Lee Johnston and Steven Flynn

July 11 - 16, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Led by a group of Atum O'Kane's students and soul friends, journey deeper into the practices shared by Atum and be held in sacred community.  We know from experience there is exponential power in doing these practices as a collective, in sacred space. Now is the time, as his son Emmanuel reminds us, "to put […]

Radical Dharma: Conversation

With Rev. angel Kyodo williams Roshi

July 20 - 25, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

It’s time to create the conditions that reimagine a path of healing, reconnect with authentic community, and manifest true justice. Radical dharma (“complete truth”) is a way to enter the critical conversation about how the legacy of racial injustice and white supremacy plays out and prevents our collective awakening. We can only accomplish shifts in […]

Four Agreements for a Better Life

With don Jose Ruiz and don Miguel Ruiz Jr.

July 20 - 24, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

"Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is […]

Between the Human Animal & the Animate Earth

With David Abram

July 25 - 30, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

How can we open a fresh and unshakeable solidarity between ourselves and the other animals, plants, and elemental forces that compose this breathing biosphere? The deepening contortions of climate change – intensifying droughts, monster floods, flaring wildfires and heart-wrenching geopolitical cataclysms – all ensure that our species is tumbling toward a sea change of immense […]

Science, Art, Sound & the Sacred

With Merlin Sheldrake and Cosmo Sheldrake

July 30 - August 3, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Explore the entanglements between science, art, sound, and the sacred in a beautiful, wild setting. What we call art and science both arise from our faculties of imagination, wonder, and curiosity. We will spend part of our time outdoors – in gardens, on seashores and in forests – connecting with the more-than-human world and bringing […]

Effortless Mindfulness Embodied: Awakening, Glimpse by Glimpse

With Loch Kelly

August 3 - 8, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Apply here to attend What would the world be like if each of us discovered for ourselves how to live an awakened life? Awakening begins with a shift out of our small, separate sense of self, to discover an “awake” consciousness that we sense has been there all along. When we begin to inhabit this […]

Tantra: Freedom, Embodiment, and Transformation

With Sravana Borkataky-Varma

August 8 - 13, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Have you ever dived into the ocean of Tantra? Have you experienced the weaving of the world? Join scholar-practitioners Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Keith Edward Cantú as we explore Tantric practices and perspectives on topics like freedom from external interference and self-sovereignty (Sanskrit svādhikāra), the link between physical and so-called “subtle bodies,” and the creation of […]

Dzogchen: The Three Statements that Strike the Crucial Point

With Lama Tsultrim Allione

August 8 - 13, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

“I gained so much for my meditation practice and feel so supported and somehow I feel different in the world since then. What I experienced cannot be put into words.” - past participant The Three Statements were the final teaching of Garab Dorje, after he passed away, when he appeared in the rainbow body to […]

Connecting to Source: Yoga, Meditation, Ritual

With Mara Branscombe

August 17 - 22, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Since ancient times, the human collective has aligned with the seasons, the elements, the rhythms of the sun, the moon, and the earth as a way to source pure energy and connect to one’s inner compass. The mind-body science of yoga, combined with the practice of meditation, breath-work, and the alchemy of earth based rituals […]

Authenticity in an Artificial World: Mindfulness, Emotion, and Meaning

With Dave Smith

August 17 - 22, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

As we become endlessly distracted by the artificial, the search for authenticity becomes vital. Contentment, meaning, and purpose have become fleeting ideas of a world forgotten. It does not have to be this way. The world-over is saturated with contemplative practices, structures of philosophy, and therapeutic methods that can point us directly towards personal transformation. […]

Harmony Within: A Journey of Songwriting and Reconnection

With Leah Abramson and Samantha Parton

August 22 - 27, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Songwriting is a powerful tool for self-expression and connection with our deepest thoughts and feelings. The Harmony Within workshop explores songwriting as a medium, a practice, and a journey through which we can reconnect with our creative source, our vulnerability, and our inner wisdom, harnessing the healing power of music to illuminate, transform, and transcend […]

SoulCollage®: An Enchanting Path to Inner Wisdom & Creativity

With Kimberly Lee, J.D.

August 22 - 27, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Embark on an enlightening journey of self-discovery, guided by the power of your own intuition and creativity. In this immersive workshop, you’ll discover your own inner wisdom through the unique, inspiring SoulCollage® method. This fun personal practice harnesses the magic of images, intuition, and imagination to create simple collages that represent facets of your unique […]

Nourished Woman Goddess Retreat

With Abneet Kaur Sandhar

August 31 - September 5, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island

Aligned. Knowing. Full Bloom Radiance. Clear. Shining. Grounded. These qualities all exist within us, yet for so many women, we feel depleted and defeated. Our attention is being pulled in many different directions, with a low-grade fever of constant overwhelm. We may feel racked with guilt, shame, and comparison, constantly feeling we don't 'measure up'. […]

The Art of Resting Well

With Farah Nazarali

September 21 - 25, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jun 22, 2025.

Bring your tired and weary souls for a restful, restorative, and rejuvenating retreat that is an immersion into the art of resting well. This experiential retreat is designed to provide rest for your body, mind, and spirit through land-based and somatic practices--guided beach walks, mindful forest walking, sunset gazing, restorative yoga, yoga nidra, poetry, slow […]

Cultivating Wellbeing for Health Professionals (2025)

With Andrea Grabovac, MD, FRCPC and Erin Burrell, MD, FRCPC

September 21 - 26, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jun 22, 2025.

Replenish Yourself and Gain Tools for Living with Intention Join us for this mindfulness-based meditation retreat for health professionals and partners. Come away to the serene shores of Cortes Island to be replenished, restored, and equipped with tools to help navigate life in modern healthcare. This retreat emphasizes connection as key to vitality, and fosters […]

Kintsugi: Embracing Imperfection

With Yuka Morino

September 21 - 25, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jun 22, 2025.

Kintsugi, 金継ぎ translated literally from Japanese means "golden joinery". This traditional Japanese art used to repair broken ceramics uses natural materials, like tree sap or urushi lacquer dusted with gold (or other precious metals) to make the cracks, or broken lines beautiful.  The cracks are called Keshiki 景色 and in Japanese, mean scenery, landscape or view. […]

Eldering in Times of Transformation

With Cheryl Rose, Zhiish McKenzie and al etmanski

October 6 - 10, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jul 7, 2025.

“A human being would certainly not grow to be seventy or eighty years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species.” - Carl Jung There comes a time when you find yourself, perhaps to your surprise, in a new land which is unlike any part of the long life journey you’ve made so […]

Qi Medicine: A Silent Qigong and Tea Ceremony Retreat

With Stephanie Nosco and Catherine (Cat) Reynolds

October 11 - 15, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jul 12, 2025.

Experience the medicine of qigong, tea, and nature on this transformative inner journey back to yourself.  Join Qigong teacher, author, and psychotherapist Stephanie Nosco, alongside Tea Ceremonialist and Eco-Somatic guide Catherine Reynolds, for this special silent retreat exploring the art of Qigong and the medicine of Tea Ceremony. We will practice in social silence, encouraging […]

Wild Mushrooms and the Mycology of Consciousness

With Jim Gouin and David Sumerlin

October 15 - 19, 2025
Hollyhock Cortes Island
Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Jul 16, 2025.

With Special Guest Paul Stamets Save the world, one mushroom at a time. Fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer powerful, practical solutions to enhance both human and ecosystem health. Through lecture, discussion, and foraging: Learn easy-to-grow cultivation methods using a hands-on approach. Gain the skills to identify at least twenty-five species of mushroom, both wild and cultivated. Delve […]

AI for Flourishing: Weaving Wisdom & Technology

With Hollyhock Leadership Institute

October 19 - 23, 2025
Cortes Island

“As we walk the tightrope of planetary-scale transformation, it's becoming clear that we need to upgrade not just our technologies and infrastructures, but our ways of relating – to ourselves, to each other and to the living planet.” - Futurecraft AI for Flourishing is a gathering of technologists, practitioners, founders, policymakers, activists, educators, and artists […]