
What we’re about
Hello fellow explorers! We are a community of healing. Gather your tools to heal mind, heart, body and spirit. We combine plant medicines/psychedelics/empathogens with the power of nature, breathwork, cold water, movement, meditation, story telling, and community.
In this group you will find guided wilderness retreats that include transformational medicine journeys, and adventures that centre healing with psychedelics in a safe, small group environment.
Want to know more about who we are and what we do? Head on over to Breathing in Nature.
We see deep healing as bravely diving into ourselves, past the defenses of consciousness, past the countless layers of conditioning and automated reactions. When we work with our plant allies and psychedelic medicines we get to entertain new perspectives, experience deep insights, emotional breakthroughs and even a complete reprogramming.
So why do we use psychedelics for healing?
1. Radical shift in perspective
It’s all about perspective! We are mostly stuck in our ways of seeing and thinking. It takes a transformational experience to really shake us up, that’s where the medicines come in. In our journeys, our brain lights up and connects in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. We literally reboot our prefrontal cortex.
2. Out of your mind
Most of us are stuck in our heads, thinking and overthinking. With psychedelics we can discover, access, and connect with all parts of our being. Letting go of the need to control, think and analyze, the brain takes a backseat to heart, body and spirit. As our defences and blocks melt away, we gain direct access to our unconscious, to our shadow.
3. Into heart and body
With our thinky brain on pause, we naturally access trapped and unprocessed parts of ourselves that hold stories, emotions and physical sensations. We can release trauma stored in the body through shakes and tremors. We can feel what needs to be felt, shout in anger, laugh hysterically or cry with grief. We can work with energy and create powerful psychedelic imagery and storylines that don’t need to make sense.
4. It's experiences that change us
Talking about our problems only gets us so far. With psychedelics we go on a heroic adventure without necessarily ever moving a muscle. We experience a multi-sensory journey within. Sometimes we need an awakening experience to rattle us and shake us free from our mundane existence.
5. Feeling deeply connected
Most of us are completely disconnected from our spirit. In the psychedelic realm, we can find meaning, purpose, universal love and feel the connection to others, nature, all living things, the universe and a greater force. It gets weird!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Healing Circle ~ For MenRosseau Sanctuary, Rosseau, ONCA$555.00
Brother, you’ve heard the call. You’ve found the others. Will you answer?
This May 30 – Jun 01, we gather around the fire.
We share our stories.
We remember who we are.Through myth, ceremony, and sacred medicine, you’ll journey inward to meet the story that’s ready to be spoken — not for anyone else, but for you.
To hear your truth.
To be witnessed by your brothers.
And in that moment, the path reveals itself.
This is where the healing begins.⸻
May 30 – Jun 01
📍 2 hours north of Toronto
🔥 Friday: The Gathering
🌕 Saturday: The Ceremony - A powerful empathogen
🌀 Sunday: The ReturnLimited space — by selection. Email Steve if you feel called.
Read my recent article about Men's Work on Substack
- Mushrooms in NatureAlgonquin Park, Toronto, ONCA$777.00
Plant medicines are best experienced in their natural habitat. Join us for this three day camping adventure in Algonquin Park and connect deeply with the land and yourself in a small group, guided mushroom journey.
This is a remote wilderness setting but not too physically challenging. You’ll be in safe hands; Steve and Nici are experienced guides – may it be the actual wilderness or the wilderness of our own hearts, spirits and minds. The camping is fully supported: medicines, meals and snacks included. You only need your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing and personal items. A packing list will be provided. Check out our website for more info.
Don't have a car? No problem, our adventure van usually has some free seats! Contact steve@breathinginnature.com to arrange a call and see if this adventure is right for you.
Flow of the weekend:
Friday morning we leave the city to immerse ourselves back into nature, letting go of all the distractions of our busy lives. We have a few seats available in our adventure van for those who need a ride. We hike into Algonquin Park, a short 8 km, to our secluded, stunning camp site by the lake. With every step our mind clears and our intentions for this journey form. Hear the myths and legends of the travellers that went before you. As we gather around the campfire that evening, Steve and his drum will guide you into the liminal space of the spirits to meet your guides.Saturday is journey day. We spent most of the day deep in our psylocybin mushroom experience. You’ll be able to deeply connect to yourself and mother nature. The day is closed with the sacred fire ceremony.
On Sunday day we make our way back to ‘civilization’. Changed and ready to make changes.
- Hero's Journey Hike for Men - AlgonquinAlgonquin Park, Toronto, ONCA$1,111.00
This is a remote wilderness setting that will be physically and emotionally challenging. That is the point of a transformational journey. But you’ll be in safe hands; Steve is your experienced guide – may it be the actual wilderness or the wilderness of our own hearts, spirits and minds. The camping is fully supported: medicines, meals and snacks included. You only need your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing and personal items. A packing list will be provided. Check out our website for more info. We work with a powerful, heart-opening empathogen on day 3 of the hike. Don't have a car? No problem, our adventure van usually has some free seats! Please email steve@breathinginnature.com to schedule a call and see if this adventure is right for you.
Flow of the journey
## Day 1: The Call to Action
You’ve felt the call to action, the call has been answered and we are venturing out into the boreal forest of the Algonquin Highlands together.
We gather at the Mew Lake trailhead and begin our journey. The first day hike will be an easy 8 km, with our first campsite at aptly named Provoking Lake. On this first day we immerse ourselves back into nature, letting go of all the distractions of the city and our busy lives.
With every step our mind clears and our intentions for this journey form. Hear the myths and legends of the travellers that went before you. As we gather around the campfire that evening, Steve shares the first part of the story of the Half Child.
Camp locations may vary due to availability.## Day 2: The Burden
We all carry our unique burdens. These burdens that have weighed on your mind, body, heart, and spirit will speak loudly to you this day. Accordingly, day two will be a long and difficult hike (14 km), experiencing the weight of our burdens, and in this case the very real weight of our backpacks.
As exhaustion and fatigue take over towards the end of the track, perhaps memories, body pain, and unpleasant thoughts and feelings make themselves known. We support each other along the way and build the courage to heal.
We make camp at Harness Lake, a beautiful large campsite where we can be with the insights of the day, enjoy a delicious meal and rest up. Around our evening campfire, Steve continues the story of the Half Child.## Day 3: The Unburdening
On this shorter third day (8 km) we move with the guidance of medicine. This is a chance to dive deeper into what has come up during our burden hike, but this time without fears, judgments or hesitation. We transmute with the energy of the wild during this (mostly) silent hike. We might share difficult feelings and struggles and find opportunities to unburden.
Unburdening simply means releasing the trapped energies around our struggles, memories, relationships, traumas, pains, doubts, fears and emotions. The unburdening ceremony can look different every time and for each of us. Nici likes to unburden with the help of the cold water. Steve likes to use energies and light and darkness imagery to free his burdens. Other common ways are fire, the breath, using the rich soil of the earth, purging, speaking our truth or any other way that comes to you. There is no right or wrong. We keep an open mind and support each other in our creativity and individual needs in the moment.
We end this day with a sacred fire ceremony and the transformational story of the Three Dreams.## Day 4: The Return
We start our last morning together with sunrise breathwork and a closing ceremony.
We take on the short hike out and return to civilization. What comes after is up to you. As we return to civilization we can easily bury all of the insights and experiences made on this journey and immerse ourselves once again in the endless distractions provided. Or, we can continue on the never ending path of mindfulness, self-discovery and doing the work…the choice is yours.
One week after our journey we offer a group integration call to share how our path continues to unfold. - Hero's Journey Hike AlgonquinAlgonquin Park, Toronto, ONCA$1,111.00
This is a remote wilderness setting that will be physically and emotionally challenging. That is the point of a transformational journey. But you’ll be in safe hands; Steve and Nici are experienced guides – may it be the actual wilderness or the wilderness of our own hearts, spirits and minds. The camping is fully supported: medicines, meals and snacks included. You only need your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing and personal items. A packing list will be provided.
Check out our website for more info. We work with a powerful, heart-opening empathogen on day 3 of the hike. Don't have a car? No problem, our adventure van usually has some free seats! Please email steve@breathinginnature.com to schedule a call and see if this adventure is right for you.
Flow of the journey
## Day 1: The Call to Action
You’ve felt the call to action, the call has been answered and we are venturing out into the boreal forest of the Algonquin Highlands together.
We gather at the Mew Lake trailhead and begin our journey. The first day hike will be an easy 8 km, with our first campsite at aptly named Provoking Lake. On this first day we immerse ourselves back into nature, letting go of all the distractions of the city and our busy lives.
With every step our mind clears and our intentions for this journey form. Hear the myths and legends of the travellers that went before you. As we gather around the campfire that evening, Steve shares the first part of the story of the Half Child.
Camp locations may vary due to availability.## Day 2: The Burden
We all carry our unique burdens. These burdens that have weighed on your mind, body, heart, and spirit will speak loudly to you this day. Accordingly, day two will be a long and difficult hike (14 km), experiencing the weight of our burdens, and in this case the very real weight of our backpacks.
As exhaustion and fatigue take over towards the end of the track, perhaps memories, body pain, and unpleasant thoughts and feelings make themselves known. We support each other along the way and build the courage to heal.
We make camp at Harness Lake, a beautiful large campsite where we can be with the insights of the day, enjoy a delicious meal and rest up. Around our evening campfire, Steve continues the story of the Half Child.## Day 3: The Unburdening
On this shorter third day (8 km) we move with the guidance of medicine. This is a chance to dive deeper into what has come up during our burden hike, but this time without fears, judgments or hesitation. We transmute with the energy of the wild during this (mostly) silent hike. We might share difficult feelings and struggles and find opportunities to unburden.
Unburdening simply means releasing the trapped energies around our struggles, memories, relationships, traumas, pains, doubts, fears and emotions. The unburdening ceremony can look different every time and for each of us. Nici likes to unburden with the help of the cold water. Steve likes to use energies and light and darkness imagery to free his burdens. Other common ways are fire, the breath, using the rich soil of the earth, purging, speaking our truth or any other way that comes to you. There is no right or wrong. We keep an open mind and support each other in our creativity and individual needs in the moment.
We end this day with a sacred fire ceremony and the transformational story of the Three Dreams.## Day 4: The Return
We start our last morning together with sunrise breathwork and a closing ceremony.
We take on the short hike out and return to civilization. What comes after is up to you. As we return to civilization we can easily bury all of the insights and experiences made on this journey and immerse ourselves once again in the endless distractions provided. Or, we can continue on the never ending path of mindfulness, self-discovery and doing the work…the choice is yours.
One week after our journey we offer a group integration call to share how our path continues to unfold.