Discover the strength, meaning and quiet beauty that can emerge when we allow ourselves to be initiated by grief.
Rather than trying to "fix" or bypass sorrow, you will be supported in listening to it as a wise teacher.
Together, we will explore what is possible when grief is acknowledged as a catalyst for deeper meaning, purpose and connection.
Like all true initiations, grief takes us into the unknown, leaving us adrift without a map to navigate the dark and disorienting terrain. Traversing this liminal space, parts of us are stripped away, our inner landscape is rearranged, and we must learn how to inhabit life differently.
It is in this very undoing of our former selves, that we have the opportunity to rebuild with more intention and distilled clarity for who we are and what matters most.
Grief is a natural response to loss and change- the soul’s way of honoring what we love. Yet in today’s world, we are often urged to move on quickly, numb out, silence our sorrow or to carry it alone.
When left unacknowledged, grief can take root in the body and spirit, showing up as anxiety, depression, addiction, isolation, anger, burnout, dissociation or physical imbalance.
When we create a safe and compassionate space to tend to our grief and allow it to move through us — with reflection, ceremony and community — it becomes possible to alchemize it into a catalyst for growth and healing, inspiring more presence, purpose, and reconnection with ourselves, with others and the living world around us.
Once, this land was clear-cut, overworked and barren, until one family began the process of regeneration- planting trees and patiently, painstakingly, helping the land to heal and return to lush vitality.
For those of us arriving with heavy hearts, being held by a landscape that is actively renewing itself can be a balm for the soul, reminding us of the innate resilience of all living things.
The land isn’t just a beautiful retreat backdrop; it participates as both metaphor and medicine: a reminder and living example that even after devastation, life continues to weave itself back together.
You will be supported to explore and integrate who you are becoming, how has grief changed you, and what your regeneration process looks like.
You will leave with:
~practical tools to tend to your grief in embodied ways, including somatic practices, ritual frameworks for meaning making, and grounding resources you can return to again and again.
~new friendships and a supportive community.
~not only a new relationship with grief, but also a renewed relationship to other parts of your life and a clearer sense of identity.
Rather than feeling defined by what was lost, you may find yourself more connected to what remains- your love, your resilience, your purpose, and your capacity to live with greater presence and hold the dualities of being human with more wisdom and compassion.
Imagine waking up to birdsong in the forest with views of tropical beauty and morning mist adorning the mountains.
You slept in a bed of soft linens, kept cozy by a hot water bottle delivered to your room each night and a warm beverage or fresh ginger juice and a flower await you at your cabin door each morning.
When you step outside, the river greets you, water tumbling over stones, a reminder that grief, too, can be fluid and tears are welcome here.
Perhaps you take a morning walk or join the group for mindfulness or yoga in the riverside shala…
Breakfast is a beautifully prepared and vibrant delight for the palate and afterwards, we gather in circle to share, listen and tend to the heart. Through guided practices, you are given space to explore and express your grief with compassionate support.
After a nourishing lunch, the afternoon is open for rest, journaling, or walking the trails or the contemplative labyrinth.
Later, somatic embodiment practices are offered to encourage grief to move through the body. This may include movement, breathwork, soundbath, bodywork or a soak in the wood-fired hot tubs and optional cold plunge in the river.
As the sun begins to set, another beautiful meal is served. We gather at the long wooden table, a fire in the hearth, conversations and often even laughter, the warm glow of candlelight and the sweet camaraderie of a group that is bonding more and more each day.
We begin by honoring what has been lost. Through reflection, embodied practices, and communal witnessing, we will explore themes such as identity, purpose, and the way grief lives in the body. We learn from grieving practices from other cultures, observing that loss and sorrow have always been a communal experience, not a solitary one.
As we move deeper, ritual carries us through the heart of the passage… a Dia de los Muertos-inspired alter-making ceremony to honor our ancestors and beloveds gone too soon… a fire ceremony to release what is no longer ours to carry… a beautiful hands-on herbalism experience- harvesting medicinal plants on the land to make a heart-soothing tea as a reminder of nature’s capacity to nurture us.
All of this prepares us for an optional plant medicine ceremony, guided by the wisdom of the forest and fungi. In a safe and supported circle, participants are invited on an inward journey – the liminal space at the center of every true initiation.
And then we begin to return, weaving in the important elements of integration.
On our final evening, we emerge from our initiatory passage with an evening of live medicine music – moving our bodies, lifting our spirits and honoring the resilience of the human heart.
Those who have been touched by deep grief and are open to exploring the complex mysteries and lessons we can receive from this painful yet transformative human experience.
5 nights/6 days at a luxurious and tranquil eco-lodge on 105 acres of mystical cloud forest and hummingbird sanctuary in the mountains of central Costa Rica, about an hour and a half from San Jose.
With kind and attentive staff offering 5-star level care, a gourmet chef, beautifully curated spaces for wellness and reflection, it is easy to feel inspired, nurtured and grounded here.
A variety of gorgeous accommodation options are available, in cozy wooden cabins sustainably built from the cypress trees on the land, with views of the river, flowers and forested mountains.
Located at the top of the property featuring gorgeous views of the forest covered mountains. This cabin is spacious and secluded for extra privacy. It features 1 king size bed, a private deck, a fireplace for cozy nights, and a soaking tub with beautiful views.
Features one queen bed and ensuite bathroom. Two of the cabins are located close to the river so you can hear the soothing sounds of the river flowing by. The third cabin has a beautiful garden view and extra privacy.
These cabins are the most spacious with two separate bedrooms, each with a queen bed. They have a large living room, writing desk, large deck with forest/garden/mountain views and a shared bathroom.
Conscious comfort food and tasty, fresh snacks are crafted with vibrant, locally sourced ingredients. (Dairy-free and gluten-free options are happily accommodated). Designed to delight the palette, each dish is thoughtfully prepared to be visually stunning artistry as well as healthy nourishment. The approach to food is intentional- acknowledging that guests are here for healing and transformation- and the food is lovingly prepared to support gut health and cleanse the body. The attention to nutritional care begins the minute guests are picked up at the airport and offered fresh juice made with ingredients to help with travel fatigue.
From the initial discovery call, to the 1:1 prep sessions, and through multiple group prep and integration sessions, the emphasis is on building trust, rapport and connection so that you can feel as supported, informed and grounded as possible throughout the whole process.
Creative expression and nature-based integration activities will also be incorporated into the retreat.
Helpful suggestions and guidance will be offered to ensure that your travel plans are smooth and as stress-free as possible. Packing lists, itineraries, current temperatures/weather conditions and detailed FAQs will be available, as well as clear communication before and during travel days.
Transportation is provided to and from the San Jose Airport and the retreat center.
My personal relationship with grief began in 2006 when my daughter died at birth and I had a near-death experience from complications of her delivery. The devastating loss and trauma left me utterly bereft, without a compass to navigate that dark, lonely landscape of grief and depression.
In time, I sought out mentors, traditional practices from other cultures, and the potent healing of plant medicine ceremonies. What began as a journey to mend my own broken heart became an apprenticeship in grief itself- guided by a motivation to become for others the person that I had needed when my loss was fresh and raw.
Facilitating grief and psilocybin retreats has been the most meaningful work of my life and dreaming this special retreat into existence has been a very tender and vulnerable process. With immense gratitude -and also respectful acknowledgment of the long road that brought me here- I offer this retreat as the culmination of 20 years of walking intimately with grief. It is a tribute rooted in love, legacy and a deep bow to my fellow grieving hearts.
My work as a grief-tender is influenced by honored teachers such as Francis Weller, Martin Prechtel, Laurence Cole, Tara Brach, Sobonfu and Malidoma Somé and by the cultural traditions and grief rituals of Mexico, Ireland and the Dagara community of Burkina Faso of West Africa.
Caroline is a licensed psilocybin facilitator, grief worker, artist, poet and mother whose work is rooted in grief tending, nature connection and creative integration.
She approaches this work with reverence and compassion, creating spaces where people can safely meet with and move through grief and loss.
Both grief and psilocybin have been profound teachers in Caroline's own life and inform the work she does, the art she makes, and the way she serves. Her offerings are shaped by gratitude for what these teachers have catalyzed in her personally, and by devotion to supporting others as they move through bereavement, end of life, and the complex emotional terrains of being human.
Caroline co-leads regular grief retreats in Oregon. She is drawn to supporting individuals as they turn toward the parts of themselves that have been neglected or shaped by sorrow, fear, or shame, and believes that these parts hold their own wisdom and the potential for greater wholeness.
Caroline's approach emphasizes a remembering of our belonging- to one another, to the living world, and to the cycles of life, death, and renewal.
No. You are responsible for your flight from your home airport to SJO airport.
San Jose (Juan Santamaria) International Airport. The airport code is “SJO.”
Our private ground transportation will depart from SJO airport at 12:00PM on the arrival day of the retreat, 10/29/26. Please account for time to go through customs and immigration. This process can take as little as 15 min, and as much as 2.5 hours, depending on the day at the airport and how busy it is. After you exit the airport we will have a representative waiting for you with a sign, and the representative will guide you to the domestic terminal where you will wait with the rest of your group for departure at 12:00PM.
If you are already in Costa Rica, you will simply need to show up at the domestic terminal entrance at 11:45AM. The domestic terminal is very small, and you will have no problem meeting our representative and the rest of your group there.
You will depart Verdesana at 9:00AM on 11/3/26 and the estimated arrival time to SJO airport is 11:00AM.
Typically, it is suggested to be at the international terminal 2.5 hours prior to your international departure. Please book your departing international flight accordingly, knowing that you will be at the airport at 11:00AM on departure day.
If you book your departure flight earlier than this, you will be responsible for your own transportation to SJO airport and any extra cost incurred.
A valid passport (make sure it does not expire within 6 months of the retreat)
Approx. 1.5 hours
Yes we do have recommendations, please see below:
Please review the official entry requirements for Costa Rica here: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements
We do not require you to purchase travel insurance, but we highly recommend it to protect your travel investment. This the travel insurance provider we recommend: https://partner.globalrescue.com/imiloa/index.html
Verdesana is located in the central mountains of the country, in the province of Cartago, about 1.5 hours from the capital city San Jose. It is a quiet, secluded and peaceful environment at 1600 meters of altitude, surrounded by mountains and cloud forest. You can look up ‘Verdesana Forest’ on Google Maps to get the specific geographic location of the campus.
Verdesana is located in the mountains and in the cloud forest which has its own microclimate. It is affected by the Caribbean climate, which makes the weather unpredictable and ever-changing. Some days will be sunny and some days will be rainy, most likely many days will include a bit of both sun and rain. The temperatures usually range between 60F – 77F, with the coldest months being December, January and February. The driest months tend to be March, April and May. From May through December the weather tends to be hotter, more humid and with good chances of both sun and rain in one day.
Our property is 105 acres
Our beautiful cabins are handcrafted with cypress wood directly from our plantation. They have been carefully designed to be functional, aesthetic, safe, and eco-friendly.
All rooms come with a full queen sized bed per person. We provide a full bath series (shampoo, conditioner, body wash). Hair dryer. Essential oils & diffuser. A heater and extra blankets for cooler evenings. Some cabins have a writer’s desk. All cabins have a furnished private patio/deck with views of the gardens, forest, or mountains. Umbrellas and headlamps are available. All cabins have standard North American power outlets, so make sure to bring an adaptor if your appliances work with a different system
Yes, we have a cabin designed for people with special needs, which is extra spacious and accessible.
The closest town Cartago is approx. 25 min away, and there is a hospital here.
The accommodations/cabins are located relatively close, and each is about a 1-2 min walk from the dining/community space. Some of our trails fx. to the river and yoga space are steep, so it’s a good idea to bring comfortable and practical closed-toed shoes for these trails.
Yes, $25 per load to pick up, wash, dry, fold and deliver back to you. Allow 24 hours for turnaround.
Yes we have wifi in all structures/cabins onsite except for El Templo yoga shala. The speed is around 100megas, but can get affected if it’s very rainy or windy. Overall the wifi is pretty strong and very reliable.
Yes! We have several small trail systems located directly onsite. Hikes offsite the property are also available. Please inquire with our onsite team if you want to book a guided hike.
You can choose to get your massage at our spa facility or request to have it in your room if the space allows (only some cabins will have space for this).
No, we do not have a gym. However, we’re located on a mountain with excellent hiking and nature trails, yoga equipment, and a spacious yoga shala.
We do not police our guests — we are sharing our values and why they’re important to us. If you are seen with alcohol on campus, you will be reminded of why we have an alcohol-free campus once, and if we observe it again publicly, we will respectfully ask you to leave.
Before arrival, you are sent a form to include all of your personal information, such as allergies or dietary needs. Our kitchen team will ensure that all of your allergies are considered while preparing your food.
Yes! Our water is triple-filtered UV from our mountain’s well and perfectly healthy and safe to drink from all faucets on the property.
We serve three big meals daily. Between meals, we also serve fruits, snacks, nuts, juice, etc. Coffee and tea are available at all times throughout the day. If you get hungry between meals and snacks are not sufficient, please let our kitchen staff know, and they will be happy to provide extra food for you.
No, we cannot prepare individual smoothies. However, if our hosts request a smoothie or food item for the retreat experience, we will, of course, provide it.
We provide room service only in cases of sickness and/or Injuries; otherwise, the answer is no.
A full operations and executive team is available throughout your stay. All staff are legally hired and local to Costa Rica.
Tips are not required but always appreciated. Tips for the staff are pooled together and distributed equally amongst the property team members once a month. This includes everyone you see or may not see during your stay, such as kitchen staff, gardeners, housekeepers, the maintenance team, etc.
See our recommended packing list here:
For phone service, there is WIFI on campus, and we recommend WhatsApp as the best way to communicate.
We are a dry campus. If you are consuming alcohol at Verdesana or alcohol is visible in your accommodations or you smoke cigarettes or marijuana or anything in your accommodations, that is not aligned with our core values, we will directly let you know. You will be asked to leave the property and secure accommodations and coordinate your travel back to SJO at your own cost.
Please email your request to welcomehome@imiloainstitute.com and include the breed of dog, weight, and supporting documentation. While we will consider your request, we respectfully reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone with an emotional support animal unless they have received approval in writing from our team.
We take these requests seriously and have to evaluate several factors before making a decision including the allergies of other guests and team members, impact on the wildlife, and impact on the accommodations and our property.
If you have a certified service animal, please email us so we can work with you to accommodate your accessibility needs.
Yes, options are available for installments of 4, 6 and 8 payments