Return to vastness

march 14th - 17th,

With Kelsey Wishik

Just Love Forest, Poetry, Georgia

Experience a mini vision quest retreat

Return to Vastness: Seeking Vision Wellness Retreat

Come experience sacred contemplation and forest therapy experiences, slowly being guided in nature using all your senses.

What is a Vision Quest?

A vision quest is a rite of passage in some indigenous cultures, traditionally undertaken by adolescents. It is a spiritual journey into the wilderness to seek personal growth, guidance, and direct revelation from the natural world or the spirit realm. Participants often fast and spend time alone in contemplation, aiming to connect deeply with nature and their inner selves, to emerge with greater clarity, purpose, or direction in life.

Guided by Kelsey Wishik, Author of Return to Vastness

Kelsey Wishik, based in Athens, GA, is a distinguished guide in the realm of self-discovery and natural connection. Her expertise is rooted in hundreds of solo wilderness journeys, insights from which are captured in her book, "Return to Vastness." A yoga and movement instructor, artist, and musician, Kelsey holds ERYT 200 and RYT 500 certifications, with over 13 years of experience in yoga. Her teachings are a rich blend of yoga's philosophy, studies in Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, pranayama, meditation, and mantra, reflecting a deep commitment to the holistic exploration of self and nature.

Kelsey’s vision quest retreats are an invitation to deeply connect with oneself through the wisdom of the natural world. Her approach leverages her extensive background in both solitary wilderness experiences and comprehensive academic studies. Participants in her retreats are guided on a transformative journey, designed to foster a profound understanding of self in harmony with nature. With her global experience in facilitating workshops and community circles, Kelsey offers a unique pathway for individuals seeking to explore their inner landscapes and expand their spiritual horizons.

This Experience is a “Mini Vision Quest”

The Mini Vision Quest Experience we're offering is a condensed version of this profound spiritual journey. Designed to provide a taste of the deeper exploration we plan to offer later in the year, this weekend retreat integrates elements of the traditional vision quest into a more accessible format. Participants will engage in practices like gentle movement, meditation, and self-reflection, all within a nurturing natural environment, to begin their journey of personal discovery and connection. This mini quest serves as an introduction to the transformative potential of the full vision quest experience, inviting you to start your path toward deeper understanding and personal growth.

We are offering you a magical safe and supported immersion in nature, staying in our beautiful hosted luxury canvas bell tents with Tempur-Pedic queen mattresses and three plant-based meals or you may fast as part of the experience.

Every participant will receive a copy of Kelsey’s book via mail upon registration.

  • listening to your heart

  • Forest therapy

  • Big open spaces

  • Friendship

  • Contemplation

  • night gathering

Your forest home awaits

We offer you a large, private, beautiful canvas bell tent with your own luxury tempurpedic mattress.

716 acres of pristine protected forest

Our gathering space

A hand-built intentional yurt

Who is a mini vision quest helpful for?

The Career Climber: Reconnect and Redefine

You’ve scaled the heights of success, breaking barriers and setting benchmarks. Yet, amidst the accolades, a voice within seeks something more profound, more fulfilling. This mini vision quest offers you a serene escape from the high-stakes world of business, inviting you to reconnect with your inner self in the tranquil embrace of nature. This journey is your opportunity to pause, reflect, and redefine your notions of success and happiness. Luxurious accommodations and comprehensive support ensure a comforting backdrop as you explore your true aspirations and dreams.

The Nurturer: Cultivate Your Inner Garden

Always there for everyone, you’re the cornerstone of support and love in your circle. It’s time to turn that nurturing energy inward. Our retreat is a sanctuary where you can prioritize your own well-being, desires, and spiritual growth. In the serenity of nature, surrounded by luxury and care, you will uncover the layers of your own needs and the dreams you’ve set aside. This mini vision quest is your space to rejuvenate, rediscover, and return with a renewed sense of self, ready to balance giving with receiving.

The Innovator: Ignite Your Creative Spark

Your mind is a crucible of innovation and creativity, constantly seeking out the new and the transformative. But even the brightest spark needs the right space to flame. Step away from the noise and distractions of urban life into a world where nature’s tranquility fuels your creative fire. Our Vision Quest offers you the silence and solitude to reconnect with your muse, supported by luxurious comfort that caters to your every need. Here, amidst the vast expanse of the wilderness, you will find the inspiration and clarity to dream bigger, think broader, and rekindle your passion for innovation.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

thursDAY march 14th

4:00pm: Arrive at meet-up point

• Opening Circle

• Reading

  • Introductions

  • Settle Into Spaces

    • 5 Senses Meditation

  • Flute and fire

    FriDAY march 15th

  • 8am- Forest Qi Gong

  • 9am: Breakfast and Free time

  • 10-1130am; “Seeing the Gifts” hike, reading and forest journaling, observing,

  • Self-inquiry, pg. 80

  • 1230pm: Lunch, free time

  • 230-4pm: Yurt, The Call of the Heart, Calling Workshop, 

  • 530pm: Dinner

  • 7: Darkness Training Meditation, Soul Songs, Prayers with What Is

    SaturDAY march 16th

  • 8am: Prana Forest Flow- gentle yoga, martial arts, and breath work

  • 9: Optional breakfast or fast

  • 1030: Group Activity, collecting fire wood, Recognition practice, 

  • De-Objectifying the Psyche practice (Free your mind), Make an Offering Activity, Love letter to the earth

  • 1230: Optional lunch or free time

  • 230-345:  Optional guided meditation and meditation music in Yurt

  • Pages: 71-80

  • 6:30-Group circle, Fire ceremony,

  • “The Ordinary Extraordinary”, “Clear Seeing is Unseeing to See” (conditioning)  “Reality”, page,  50-55, Ego Death

    SunDAY march 17th

  • 1000 am: Walk to mountaintop, Group circle and integration

  • Mountaintop breakfast

  • Reflect, meditate, shared time

  • 1-3 Thank the space, Departure 

Sliding Scale exchange

$650 -$850 plus tax

Too expensive for you? Please read about financial accessibility below.

Thursday, 03/14 4:00pm - Sunday 03/17 3:00pm

Includes 3 days & nights of programs, a mailed copy of the book “Return to Vastness,” overnight accommodations + all plant-based meals daily.

  • The bell tents come with sheet and towel service with your choice of a personal plush tempur pedic queen or twin mattress

  • All prices include plant-based dinner on Thursday and breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday

  • No cancellations within 30 days of the event

  • SPECIAL RATES APPLY FOR MEMBERS

    Annual members are eligible for a limited $300 flat fee. Read more here.

  • Sliding Scale Pricing for Our Nature Retreats

    At Just Love, we're passionate about making our enriching nature retreats accessible to everyone. We do our utmost to keep costs low, often stretching our resources to make a variety of experiences as affordable as possible throughout the year.

    To continue offering these retreats and maintain the quality and integrity of the experience, it is not sustainable if everyone pays only the minimum amount. Recognizing that each person's financial situation is unique, we've introduced a sliding scale pricing model. This flexible approach allows participants to choose a payment option that best suits their circumstances, ensuring that our retreats are within reach for all who wish to join us.

    If you are in a position to do so, we kindly ask you to consider selecting a higher payment tier. Your generosity supports not just your own experience but also enables others who might face financial barriers to embark on this transformative journey. Every contribution above the minimum helps us sustain the quality of our retreats, maintain our beautiful natural spaces, and support our dedicated team.

    By paying it forward, you're fostering a spirit of community and inclusivity, ensuring that our retreats can continue to be a source of inspiration and growth for everyone.

    We appreciate your understanding and generosity. Together, we can make these life-enhancing experiences available to all.

    Financial Accessibility

    We always want these gatherings to be as financially accessible as possible. If you would like to be considered to serve as part of our volunteer and support teams for a reduction in fees, please contact us.