JULY 9-15, 2025 | Bílý Potok, Czech Republic

Native American Shamanism Retreat

ABOUT THE RETREAT:

 

Join us for a transformative journey into Native American Shamanism, where we will explore the deep healing practices of this ancient tradition. This retreat is an introduction to shamanism for personal healing and for people training to be healers. 

 

Our focus will be on the core principles that underpin shamanic healing: the connection to different dimensions of consciousness and the sacred realms that open for us a greater understanding of the universe and our place in it and a way of engaging that enhances our power to heal self and others. Through the practices learnt at retreat you’ll explore the shamanic principle of animism—the belief that all life, indeed all of nature, is interconnected and interdependent or “inter-influential”. 

 

You’ll learn the timeless, native way of perceiving. This way of “seeing” that shamans are famous for gives them the ability to read the signs, macro-patterns and cycles in which we are all embedded and participating, all of which gives uncanny diagnostic and treatment ability. This vision reveals ways to heal that are “hidden” in plain sight. You’ll also delve into the nature of impermanence (the eternal cycle of living and dying) and spaciousness (the pre-eminence of the clear blue sky unimpeded by clouds or storms). Working with the principles of Impermanence and Spaciousness deepens your shamanic practice of healing and also creates a strong foundation for the 2nd Phase of the Body of Light Healing where the progressive embodiment of these principles is the basis of all of the Tantrik Healing techniques.  

 

 

The Shamanic Path is a journey of healing. Along the way, you will uncover profound insights about yourself and the universe, but it is important to remember that the goal of the Shamanic Path is not to attain enlightenment or become a Buddha. Rather, it is to cultivate the skills and wisdom of a healer, someone who serves the community and guides others on their own healing journeys. This retreat is the beginning of that sacred Path, offering you valuable tools and perspectives that will help you grow as a healer. It is a self-initiatory experience.

 

If you have previous experience in any form of shamanism—especially Native American shamanism— or other forms of healing, this retreat gives you valuable insights and new techniques that you can integrate into your existing practice. Learning from different traditions provides new perspectives that enrich our own path.

 

 Don Augustin, the Amazonian Shaman
that trained Dharma Bodhi during the late 80s.

 

Dharma Bodhi, the retreat leader, was mentored and adopted by the renowned Grandfather Thunder Cloud (Tsalagi [Cherokee] Nation), who studied with medicine people from across the United States. Grandfather Thundercloud named Dharma “Eagle who Walks on the Mountain” when he initiated him into the pipe ceremony. Thundercloud embodied the tradition of "twisted braids," meaning that he blended the many wisdoms he learned from other Native Nations of North America into his personal practice of shamanic healing. Dharma Bodhi continues to honour this tradition, passing down the teachings he received from Grandfather Thunder Cloud, Grandmother Kitty Hawk, Abraham Kawai’i, and Don Augustin Rivas, and other master-shamans. With his guidance, you will experience these sacred teachings exactly as they were passed down—untouched and powerful.

 

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RETREAT SUBJECTS:

The Sacred Pipe:

Dharma Bodhi was blessed to learn about the Sacred Pipe from three esteemed teachers: two from North America and one from South America. His intention is to merge these teachings into a unified understanding of the sacred pipe as a symbol, drawing on the wisdom of all three traditions.

What will we do with these pipes? We will explore the pipe as a sacred object and a powerful tool for diagnosis, purification (of self, other and environment), healing and exorcism. Shamanism is deeply intertwined with the use of sacred objects, and the Sacred Pipe is one of the most useful and powerful of these. The pipe you’ll use will ideally be made from wood for the stem (Father Sky) and stone for the bowl (Mother Earth), and you will be invited to bring your own—a pipe you’ve crafted or one you’ve purchased. If you are unable to find a suitable stone and wood pipe you may bring any pipe that you think will work well until you are able to find or craft your ideal sacred pipe. You’ll learn to pack the pipe with sacred herbs (non-hallucinogenic) in order to create sacred smoke able to transmit blessing and healing power. Related to the pipe and its smoke-prayers, you’ll also learn to invoke, connect to, communicate with, and receive the powers of the Fire Spirit for purification and healing.

The pipe symbolizes the union of the masculine and feminine energies, bringing balance and unity. Through this practice, we will connect to the Great Spirit, using the pipe to open our hearts and minds to the interrelatedness of all things. We will focus on prayers for healing and connection.

In addition to the pipe, we will use a fan made of feathers to interact with the smoke. This fan, traditionally made from a wood or leather handle with large bird feathers (eagle, hawk, owl, turkey), will be a key tool in our ceremonies. Feathers are sacred in many cultures, and each tradition uses specific feathers to work with different energies. Your feather fan will be custom decorated by you to increase its power.

Discovering Your Spirit Song:

One of the most profound parts of this retreat will be time spent alone in nature—either in woodlands or mountains—where you will find your Spirit Song. This is not a song you create; it is a song that arises within you, connected to the spirits that assist in your healing. Traditional shamans say the Spirit Song is given by those spirits that assist you in your healing work. These are benefic beings dedicated assisting you.

 

As a shamanic practitioner, healing doesn’t come from your personal power, but from the vast forces of nature, the spirits around you, your ancestors and great masters of the past. The Spirit Song connects you to these spirits, acting as a bridge between worlds. This song, coming from the deep traditions of North, Central, and South America, helps you tap into the forces that guide your healing practice.

Dharma Bodhi learned from Grandmother Kittyhawk in the late 80's in Canada.This is a painting symbolizing the Lakota Medicine Way

Macro Elemental Healing:

In shamanism, healing involves understanding the elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—as they exist both within us (micro) and in the world (macro) around us. 

Our relationship with these elements can either limit or empower our healing. Misalignment with these elements can lead to dis-ease, while proper alignment can restore health and wellness. During your time in the wilderness, you will engage directly with the macro-elements, learning to harmonize yourself with them for greater healing power.

Working with Fire Spirit:

Fire is a powerful force in shamanic healing, and during this retreat, you will cultivate a deep connection with the Fire Spirit. You will learn the way to make fire, how to invite the Fire Spirit into your sacred work, and how to communicate with this powerful presence.

How can you invite fire to purify yourself and others? How can you work with it to heal yourself and others? These are some of the key questions we will explore. The Fire Spirit, when honoured, can be a powerful agent for transformation and healing, and you will learn how to harness its energy.

Shamanic Diagnosis:

Shamanic diagnosis is an important skill for any healer. During the retreat, you will learn how to diagnose using the sacred pipe and reading the signs around the  person to be healed. You will explore how to interpret life events, significant memories, and dreams to understand the root causes of your patient’s illness.

Shamanic diagnosis takes time to develop, and this retreat will provide a foundational toolset to begin your journey. As you continue your healing practice, these skills will deepen and evolve, especially during the apprenticeship phase of The Body of Light Healing Program.

Full Moon Water Healing Ceremony: 

The Full Moon Water Healing Ceremony, inspired by the teachings of Grandfather Thunder Cloud. A Tsalagi (Cherokee) elder who studied with the Hopi, Grandfather Thunder Cloud was a healer known for his incredible connection to spirit, especially the Water Spirit, experienced as Ultimate Compassion in a Motherly form.

He would perform a water ceremony under the new and full moons, invoking powerful healing energy. Dharma Bodhi shares this sacred practice with us, emphasizing the profound effect of the full moon on the healing process. One of the most touching stories about Grandfather Thunder Cloud tells of how he revived his son, who was born stillborn and pronounced dead by the doctors present at the birth, by holding him up to the moon and offering prayers to the Water Spirit. This story speaks to the miraculous power that comes from deep humility, prayer, and connection to the Great Spirit through Water.

Since our retreat is timed to coincide with the Full Moon in July 2025, you will be able to participate in this ceremony on one of the nights of the retreat.

All Our Relations:

A central theme throughout the retreat is the teaching of All Our Relations. This principle reminds us that everything in the universe is interconnected—every being, elemental force, and energy is part of an infinite web of life. Understanding your place within this vast network is key to your personal healing and your ability to facilitate healing for others.

By aligning yourself with the energies around you—whether they are people, nature, or unseen forces/beings—you can better understand the dynamics of healing. Healing is not an isolated event; it is an integral part of the whole. You will explore how to position ourselves within this grand matrix of life, understanding how your relationship to the world influences your ability to heal yourself, your community, and the planet.

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Why Native American Shamanism?

 

Shamanism, in all its forms, is a profound and intricate tradition. It is built on a deep connection to spirit, accessed through powerful trance states and otherworldly journeys. Different traditions, drawing from nature and the animal world around them, relied on the ability to enter these altered states of consciousness to connect with other dimensions. This required complete mental focus, opening the mind to a place beyond thought and ego.

 

Native American Shamanism, in particular, holds a unique and familiar resonance for many of us. There is something inherently accessible about the teachings and practices of Native American shamans. This tradition incorporates the elemental forces of nature that are shared across different cultures and spiritual lineages. As a result, it offers a universal language that speaks to our collective human experience.

 

At its core, Native American Shamanism is about magical pragmatism or intuitive science—an approach that is deeply practical yet infused with profound spiritual wisdom. On the surface, its practices may seem simple, but underneath lays a rich, alchemical system of healing and transformation that unfolds over time. These practices are designed to tap into the natural world, with animal and plant spirits and other forces, playing an integral role in guiding you on your path of healing.

 

For many, the animals and plants that form the foundation of Native American Shamanism are not distant or foreign—they are familiar beings, part of our environment. This connection makes the practice even more accessible, as we can draw on these familiar creatures and natural elements for guidance, strength, and wisdom.

  

As you embark on this retreat, you will learn to use the sacred tools of Native American Shamanism—not just for healing others, but for your own personal development as well. True healing begins within, and to be an effective healer, you must first cultivate your own inner growth. This retreat is as much about self-discovery as it is about learning to heal, allowing you to develop as both a healer and an individual, rooted in the wisdom of this ancient and powerful tradition.

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Chalupy pod Smědavou

Retreat Details

 
Native American Shamanism

July 9 - 15, 2025 
Bílý Potok, Czech Republic

Course Fee: €1150 Euro (after Mar 1, 2025)

Early Bird Fee: €1090 Euro (before Feb 28, 2025)

*Training, accommodation, meals, and shuttle service from Prague are included in the course fee.

 

General Schedule

 

July 9: Arrival Day Free shuttle from Prague to Chalupy pod Smědavou. (Dinner provided)

July 10-14: Training Days

July 15: Leaving Day 

 

Daily Schedule


8:00 – 9:00 
- Breakfast

9:00 – 12:00 - Teachings 

12:00 – 14:00 - Lunch

14:00 – 17:00 - Teachings

17:00 – 18:00 - Dinner

  

Where is the Retreat held? 

 

The venue Chalupy pod Smědavou set in the heart of the Jizera Mountains—one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful and unspoiled natural regions—Chalupy pod Smědavou offers a serene and rejuvenating retreat experience.

 

 

This property features five separate, newly built wooden cottages, each blending modern design with the charm of traditional mountain lodges. Surrounded by ancient beech forests and pristine landscapes, the area is ideal for those seeking peace and a deep connection with nature.

 

The Retreat is the Teaching

In Native American tradition, community is at the heart of healing and transformation. This retreat is not just about learning—it’s about living the teachings. From shared meals to shared spaces, from the land we walk on to the food that nourishes us, every aspect of this experience is part of the journey. By embracing community, we step deeper into the wisdom of Native traditions, where connection, respect, and togetherness are essential.

 

We encourage you to open yourself to shared living, including sharing rooms with others—not just as a practical arrangement, but as an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the spirit of this path. Transformation happens not only in ceremony, but in how we eat, rest, and relate to one another.

 

Each cottage provides comfortable, private accommodations with two rooms for couples (with 1 double bed in each) and one large shared room (with 3 single beds) creating a cozy and welcoming space for relaxation.

 

 

Cottage Features:

  • A fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, built-in microwave and conventional oven, stovetop, dishwasher, and coffee maker
  • A spacious main room with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a dining area
  • WiFi

  

Amenities for Comfort:

  • A bathroom with WC, plus an additional separate WC
  • Heating options via electric heaters and a wood-burning fireplace to keep the cottages warm and inviting
  • On-site parking is available with designated spaces for each cottage. 

 

Transportation

 

A shuttle transport is included in the retreat fee and will leave from Prague on July 9th. More details concerning departure time and location in Prague will be sent out before the retreat. If you want to use the option of the shuttle bus we recommend you to be in Prague already on the morning of July 9th.

 

If you come by car:

Address:

Chalupy pod Smědavou
Bílý Potok 319, 463 62  

GPS: 50.87447N, 15.23062E

 

Meals

 

Meals are included in the retreat fee and consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A vegetarian option will be available; please indicate your preference when booking. While we strive to accommodate dietary needs, we kindly ask for your understanding that hosting a large group limits our ability to cater to all individual requirements. If you have specific needs, we recommend obtaining any essentials in Prague and bringing them along for your convenience.

 

Climate

 

In July, Bílý Potok enjoys a mild and pleasant summer climate. Daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), with cooler evenings dipping to around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). While the days are often sunny, occasional rain showers can occur, so it's wise to bring a lightweight waterproof jacket or umbrella. Layered clothing and a sweater or light jacket for the evenings are recommended. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent.

 

Price

 

Course Fee by Accommodation type:

*Training, accommodation, meals, and shuttle service from Prague are all included in the course fees below.

  • Private Room for Couples: €1150 EUR (or Early Bird: €1090) per person *Make sure both people fill out the registration form on the website; and note your partner within the roommate section of the form.
  • Private Room for 1 person: €2180 EUR
  • Single Bed in a Shared Room: €1150 EUR / (or Early Bird: €1090)
  • Camper Van Parking Spot (for 1-2 attendees): €900 EUR per person (includes tuition, meals, usage of shared bathroom)

*Early Bird price only for before Feb 28, 2025

**Payment is accepted via Wise. Click to view our Refund Policy.

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To Enroll, fill out the form below:

We will email you payment instructions, after form is submitted. All payments need to be made via direct deposit via Wise. Click to view our Refund Policy.

Enrollment is only guaranteed once payment is complete.