We’re excited to offer our first Hanblecha Retreat Weekend, a more in-depth study of the way of prayer and fasting of the indigenous people of the Americas. ‘Hanble’ in Lakota means ‘a Dream or a Vision’ and ‘Cha’ means ‘to cry’, ergo ‘Crying for a Vision.’ We’ll be working our way up to the traditional four-day, four-nights of no food and no water while isolated in the wilderness to address the Four Directions, beginning with this sunrise to sunset sit working with the direction of the West (Wiyóhpeyata). This late Summer/early Fall 2026 Quest will be an appropriate introductory Vision Quest of ongoing, seasonally offered weekends, the next Hanblecha Retreat Weekend to be offered in the Spring of 2027, Friday, May 21st - Sunday, May 23rd, 2027.

After preparation in a morning purification or inipi ceremony for participants fasting in a Hocoka or sacred area, we’ll quest from sunrise (7:22 am) to sunset (8:02 pm) and then reintegrate in an evening, closing inipi ceremony. Hanblecha is a significant step-up on the Red Road or Spiritual Way of Native American Tradition and requires certain pre-Ceremony weekend readying as well. To learn more about attending this special Ceremonial weekend “Camp” as either a participant or supporter, please write to higherhaven@gmail for more information.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER11th SCHEDULE

Arrival Welcome and Check-In 6:30 pm
Light, Healthy, Dinner 7pm - 8pm
Fire Lightning + Prayer Ceremony 8pm – 9pm
Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER12th SCHEDULE

Morning Purification inipi Ceremony 530am
Hocoka (Sacred Area) Placement + Prayers 630am - 7:22am

Fasting + Prayer + Community Ties 7:22am - 8:02pm

Evening Purification inipi Ceremony 830pm

Wopila Celebratory Feast 930pm

Deep Rest + Relaxation 1030pm

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th SCHEDULE

Light Healthy Breakfast 8am
Morning Song + Talking Circle 9am - 10am

Lodge fold-Up and Camp Closure 10am-11am

Closing Thoughts + Community Circle Noon

PRICING

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $1,200/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as an individual as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $595/person

Mindfulness has become the goalpost of modern life, the answer to our high-paced, overstretched schedules. Who doesn’t want to be “more mindful” in some aspect of their life? Just search for “Meditation” in the App store and you will find a mind- expanding number of apps intended to plug into the Here and Now. The benefits of Meditation in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain are unparalleled. It is by far the most powerful tool in self-healing. But Meditation, while the biggest game changer and deepest fix, is also not a quick fix; early attempts to Sit in stillness for even short periods for many people are often met with resistance and misunderstanding, with new practitioners too quickly concluding “I can’t meditate.”

In this monthly three-hour afternoon class, we’ll tackle that dodgy self-talk. We’ll get down to the foundation to uncover what meditation is, studying the skills one develops with regular practice – Concentration, Relaxation, Insights into the Nature of Reality and an ability to Unconditionally Love. We’ll work with precision to actually practice, with several sits. And, with a little guidance, we’ll collectively begin experiencing the benefits of a regular practice, including reduced stress, developing a sense of inner calm, increasing physical and emotional pleasures and bolstering health, just to name a few. Every single person who attends this class will go away with a sharp new arrow in their quiver of life-skills. In the words of my teacher Shinzen, THE arrow in fact — a tool of immense power and generality that can be applied to improving just about every aspect of their personal human happiness.

SCHEDULE

1pm – 4pm

PRICING

Individual Attendee (1) – $100

THE SEPTEMBER WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday – September 26th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – September 27th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

THE OCTOBER WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday – October 17th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – October 18th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

The benefits of Meditation in treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain are unparalleled. The advantages of a regular practice include reduced stress, developing a sense of inner calm, increasing physical and emotional pleasure and bolstering one’s general health, just to name a few. It is by far the most powerful tool in self-healing. During this getaway, we’ll connect deeply with the entire sweep of what meditation is all about, focusing on and fostering the skills one develops with regular practice — Concentration, Relaxation, Insights into the Nature of Reality and an ability to Unconditionally Love.

Abiding in Noble Silence for an extended weekend period, we’ll engage in sitting and walking meditation and gentle Yin yoga while enjoying light, healthy meals, and nature’s stillness. A zendo or meditation hall will be open for ongoing practice and guidance available for all levels of practitioners. This retreat is a fit for anyone who wants more surety and soundness of mind in light of an increasingly unstable outer world, and definitely those who will work to lay hold of the benefits of mindfulness – insight, empowerment and elevated self-esteem. Every single person who attends this retreat, in the words of my Teacher Shinzen Young, will “go away with a sharp new arrow in their quiver of life-skills. THE arrow in fact — a tool of immense power and generality that can be applied to improving just about every aspect of their personal human happiness.” Beginning meditators as well as the most advanced practitioners welcome.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd SCHEDULE

Arrival Welcome and Check-In 6:30 pm
Light, Healthy, Dinner 7pm - 8pm
Orientation Class 8pm – 9pm
Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th SCHEDULE

Wake 8am
Light, Healthy Breakfast 8am-9am
Meditation Class on the 6 senses and 4 Principles of Practice – Concentration, Relaxation, Insights into Reality & Unconditional Love 9:30 am-Noon
Light, Healthy Lunch – Noon – 2pm
Sitting and Walking Meditation Practice Periods 2pm – 5pm
Dinner and Free Time 5pm – 8pm
Meditation and Fire Circle 8pm – 9pm
Deep Rest and Relaxation 9pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th SCHEDULE

Wake 8am
Light, Healthy Breakfast 8am-9am
Sitting and Walking Meditation Practice Periods 9am-12pm

Talking Circle Noon

Light, Healthy Lunch 1-2pm

Wind Down and Close 3pm

PRICING

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $1,200/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as an individual as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $595/person

THE NOVEMBER WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday – November 21st Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – November 22nd Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA

THE DECEMBER WAY OF THE CONTRARY CEREMONIAL RETREAT WEEKEND

In traditional cultures, the Contrarian brought teachings and healings of energetic renewal. Bad was turned to good, negative to positive, fear, anxiety, depression and other mental ills soothed with mind-training techniques and Ceremonial spiritual purification. By moving backwards or unconventionally and often outside societal restraints, Pueblos Jesters, Hopi Clowns and Lakota Heyokas tapped into supernatural forces that restored universal balance and harmony to the community, providing emotional healing, energetic uplift & renewed life vitality

In this overnight weekend workshop, we’ll study some of the most powerful indigenous techniques for restoring mental well-being. We’ll have an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a positive, primitive way. Everyone is welcome to take part in a traditional Purification Ceremony — although the sweat is optional and all participants benefit from meditation training and simply experiencing our natural, simplified environment. This retreat weekend is for anyone and everyone who needs to reboot, reconnect, and renew mind, body and soul. Come and gain insight into living, shake off some fears, feel more in harmony with the rest of creation and spark a generally healthier, more positive approach to life.

Saturday – December 5th Schedule

Welcome 1pm

Local, Organic, Scrumptious, Farm to Table Lunch 1-2pm

Relax, explore the woods, rivers and retreat grounds 2-6pm

Gather for Meditation, Orientation & Ceremonial Intention Setting 6:30 pm

Inipi (Sweatlodge Ceremony) 7-9pm

Wopila Celebration and Feast 9pm

Deep Rest and Relaxation 10pm

Sunday – December 6th Schedule

Morning Song – a Class on making Spiritual Connections and gaining strength and wisdom through Spiritual Practice 9-10am

Breakfast 10-11am

Wind down and close 11:11 am

Option for continued exploration of retreat grounds, Lake Mishigama beaches & surrounding area

Pricing

Couple’s Package: Retreat with Overnight stay in shared bed in private room – $700/couple
*If you’d like a private room you can book this option as a single person as well.

Individual: Retreat with Overnight stay in Dorm room – $300/person

+ Note: no fee is ever charged for Ceremony, costs cover meals and retreat house stay and a contribution of any proceeds given to the Sicangu People of Rosebud, South Dakota, USA and The Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe of Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA