The Journey Within Retreat
Fall 2023 | Ashland, OR
“Don’t go off sightseeing. The real journey is right here. The great excursion starts from exactly where you are. You are the world. You have everything you need. You are the secret. You are the wide opened.” - Rumi
The Journey Within Retreat is a gathering of 25 individuals committed to growth and expansion for a holistic weekend of sacred sound, yoga, interactive workshops, breath work, meditation, and immersion in nature.
Remembering Being Belonging
Reconnecting to your true nature can be a challenging thing to do, especially with the many competing demands of worldly life. Join like-minded Ismailis, both practicing and non-practicing, in creating a safe container for self-exploration and self-renewal.
Nestled in the Ashland Mountains, you will connect to the land and the Indigenous People who gathered on the same land for peace and healing centuries ago.
Nourish yourself through wholesome meals made with organic, locally-sourced ingredients.
Polish your heart through Sufi poetry and move the energy in your body through gentle yoga.
In this environment, you're invited to inquire deeply, listen fully, and share authentically.
Join us for a four day immersive experience to journey within yourself. Your personal search can take on many forms and every person has their own unique story. If you are curious and willing to dive deeper into yourself within a safe and collective container, this is a wonderful program for you.
The Investment
The cost of this program is being determined. This includes accommodation for 4 nights, all meals, and all content sessions. Transportation is not included.
With limited spaces available, acceptance is based on first come, first serve basis.
Accommodations
The Journey Within Retreat will take place at Buckhorn Springs Resort, A 124-acre inholding of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in the Ashland Mountains in Ashland OR. An enchanting place where one feels connected to the land beginning with Indigenous People who gathered on this ground for peace and healing centuries ago.
Buckhorn Springs provides a unique environment nestled in its own small valley with a creek, old oaks, ponderosa pines, tall aromatic cedars, and open meadows.
Hello from Your Team
Shamir Virani
Shamir is a lifelong seeker, and passionate about facilitating harmony within the Self as well as with the surrounding environment.
In the past, he has served as a co-facilitator at retreats oriented around holistic living. He has been training to be a Life Coach at the Satvatove Institute, with a focus on psychedelic journey Integration and trauma-informed somatic experience. Recently, he’s been working with plant medicines and learning indigenous wisdom from teachers in South America.
He is studying Kundalini yoga, permaculture, and dreamworking. He enjoys gardening, cooking, poetry, music, bird-watching, and photography.
Arzina Karimi
Arzina is a curious soul with a deep reverence for Mother Nature as the ultimate teacher of life. She is passionate about cultivating harmony with the land, indigenous reciprocity, honoring the natural feminine cycles through sacred rituals, yoga, and building community for collective healing.
Arzina is certified in holistic hatha yoga through TRU Yoga and is currently training to be an integrative health coach with an emphasis in Ayurveda and herbal medicine through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Things that currently bring Arzina joy are learning from indigenous wisdom, connecting with the natural elements, yoga, living in community, cooking nourishing meals, sisterhood, and traveling.
Zamir Dhanji
Zamir is a seeker and facilitator of the paths and practices that heal the body and awaken the heart and mind.
He’s trained in Compassionate Inquiry, a psychotherapy modality developed by Dr. Gabor Mate - and together with Sabrina Lakhani, they co-created a program called “Patterns to Presence” which supports people to heal their relationships with science and compassion.
He served as a yoga instructor in asana, pranayama, meditation and yoga philosophy for the Langara College yoga teacher training program, teaching both in Vancouver and internationally.
He studies Ati-Yoga under Wisdom Master Maticintin, founder of HUMUH : Clear Mind Buddhism and his spiritual teacher for the last decade, spending extended periods in the monastery studying meditation, buddhist logic and doing karma yoga.
He’s also passionate about music and dance, and has created many world musical journeys fusing diverse instruments with mantra, meditation and storytelling with his collective : Naad.
Website: www.zamirdhanji.com
Questions Answered
Who is The Journey Within retreat for?
This three day immersive experience is for those looking to take a deep journey of self-exploration. This personal search is a lifelong process and can take on many forms throughout the course of our life. At certain stages, it can be helpful to share a collective experience in a safe healing container and that is what we hope to create.
To draw upon a sense of community and shared values to create a container of understanding, the Journey Within Retreat is open to all Ismailis (practicing and non-practicing) ages 25-45.
Please note that this is an independent event and is not affiliated with the Ismaili Council or Jamati Institutions.
Can I apply if I live in Canada?
Yes! Anyone residing in North America is welcome to submit an application.
What is included in the program cost?
The cost for this program is being determined. This includes accommodations for 4 nights at Buckhorn Springs Resort in Ashland, Oregon. This covers all meals, housing, activities, sessions, and access to the beautiful and expansive land you’ll be staying on.
What is NOT included is your flight or other modes of transportation to and from the retreat site.
Why do I have to fill out an application?
The application is an integral part of getting to know you and to ensure there is alignment with this program. It’s also where you can make a note of things that will keep your body happy and nourished, such as dietary preferences and anything you’d like us to be aware of for your health and wellbeing.
Can I attend with my partner or spouse?
Yes! If you feel inspired to go on this journey together, you are most welcome to apply as a couple. Please indicate this on your application form. Your partner must also submit an application. Interfaith couples are welcome to apply as well.
What should I expect for accommodations?
You’ll be housed in one of the ultra cozy cabins or lodge. Please note that you will likely share space with a roommate, depending on availability (each of you will have your own beds). Each room comes with its own private bathroom. If you’re applying as a couple, please note this in your application form so we can house you accordingly.
What kind of physical activity will be offered?
Physical activity will be conducted throughout the course of the weekend including but not limited to walking uphill and downhill between different venues along with exercises (e.g. hiking, yoga, etc.). If there are concerns about mobility, please note this on your application at the end.
Is there a payment plan available?
Unfortunately, not at this time.
Can I arrive late or depart from the retreat early?
This retreat is meant to be experienced in its entirety and requires a full commitment. We want you to get the most of all this retreat has to offer.
Will I have access to the internet and/or cell service?
We invite you to use this as an opportunity to unplug from technology and immerse yourself in the beautiful and abundant nature that will surround you. However, there is Wi-Fi on-site in all the buildings. The connection can be slower on some days than others. For cell service, please note there is no service on site, except with AT&T.
Which airport do I fly in and out of?
Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR). This is a small airport, so you may find yourself with a connecting flight from your city. Incoming flights must arrive before 5:30pm on November 3 and outgoing flights must depart after 1:30pm on November 6 to allow for sufficient time for program activities. If your attendance is confirmed, we will be in touch to discuss your travel arrangements.
What happens if I have to cancel after I’ve already paid and can’t attend anymore?
We understand plans can change. Please note that we cannot guarantee a refund. In the case that we find a replacement for your spot, you will be fully refunded. We cannot offer any refunds beyond that at this time.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Not to worry! We collect your dietary information in the application you’ll fill out. Food is an important aspect of the daily experience, and we want to keep your body nourished in a way that it will happily receive it. The lovely Chef Marion will be preparing delicious, wholesome, organic, and fresh meals every day.
What might a day at The Journey Within look like?
The Journey Within’s approach is designed to be holistic. We focus on integrating our organizing principles of spiritual expression, mindfulness, and relationship with Self and others.
You will be invited to participate in a balanced and full day with activities such as nature walks, yoga, breath work, structured and independent reflection, collective song and dance, and interactive workshops.
Who do I reach out to if I have a question?
Email us at hello@journeywithinretreat.com.