WILD MIND SHADOW TRAINING
WILD MIND SHADOW TRAINING
June 14 – 18, 2026
With Laura Gunion and Brian Stafford, MD, MPH
This program is designed specifically for participants in Wild Mind Training Program (WMTP). Participation in this program requires a thorough knowledge of the Nature Based Map of Human Psyche model. As a prerequisite (if you are not registered in WMTP) you are expected to have completed one or more core programs offered by Animas Valley Institute. Such programs are Wild Mind Intensive, Soulcraft Intensive, Dream Intensive or the online versions of any of these.
No application is required for participants in the Wild Mind Training Program, who have taken Fishing for Shadow or Sweet Darkness. They are free to register by contacting Ognian Gadoularov – ogi@learningforchange.net.
We welcome others who are interested in the program to apply.
APPLY NOW
Please read the detailed INFOPACK (find the download link below) for information related to Policies and Procedures, Health, Cancellation etc.
The Shadow is the hidden side of our psyches, with both its “positive” and “negative” aspects. The Shadow helps ensure our survival by keeping the lid on elements of our psyche – both negative and positive – that feel dangerous or unacceptable to our ego. But it can also impede our blossoming by keeping that lid on too tight or too long. Many of the psychological resources we need in order to co-create more fulfilling relationships are impounded in the dungeon of our psyche.
The Shadow is not what we know about ourselves and don’t like (and perhaps keep hidden) but, rather, what is true about us but know absolutely nothing about … and would vehemently deny if “accused.”
Wild Mind Shadow Work is the intentional process of consciously reclaiming and creatively embodying the essential qualities and powers of those parts of our psyche that we previously kept hidden – even from ourselves.
During this training, we’ll learn and practice shadow work techniques for supporting others in developing their full human potential through cultivating their innate wholeness. The following areas will be explored:
- The Shadow: learning strategies for spotting, unmasking, and assimilating the dark shapes of Shadow
- Projections and transferences: recognizing and withdrawing projections while reclaiming disowned qualities and parts of ourselves.
- Loyal soldiers: working with the subpersonalities that have been keeping us “safe” since early childhood by keeping us small
- Wounding and vulnerability: exploring the patterns that keep us stuck in the Old Story, considering the myths through which we have been living, and inviting a different myth or world view to emerge.
- Overpowering emotional charges triggered by other people and by encounters in the natural world
Working in dyads, triads, and full group, we will practice guiding by working with Shadow elements that emerge between us in the training group, in our dreams, in our lives more generally, and while wandering on the land and interacting with the Others. We’ll hone our skills by serving as guides for each other, and through discussion, feedback, and suggestions.
This training is designed primarily for participants in the Animas Valley Institute Wild Mind Training Program, but is also open (by application) to professional human development guides or advanced students working in fields such as psychotherapy, rites of passage, education, coaching, ecotherapy, counseling, and outdoor or wilderness education. We strongly recommend participation in Fishing for Shadow or similar personal shadow work experience prior to this training.
Dates
June 14 – 18, 2026 – Start Time 1pm End Time 1pm
Who can participate
This program is designed specifically for participants in Wild Mind Training Program (WMTP). Participation in this program requires a thorough knowledge of the Nature Based Map of Human Psyche model. As a prerequisite (if you are not registered in WMTP) you are expected to have completed one or more core programs offered by Animas Valley Institute. Such programs are Wild Mind Intensive, Soulcraft Intensive, Dream Intensive or the online versions of any of these.
The training aims at people who work — or plan to work — as facilitators, therapists, psychologists, educators, facilitators and other forms of human development guides. The program is open for one who are over 18 years old.
Number of participants
Minimum number for confirming the program – 12 ppl
Maximum number of participants – 18 ppl
Price an payment
A maximum price – 900 euro
The price will vary depending on the number of participants. Upon registration you will be invited to pay a deposit of 300 euro to secure your place. At the moment of confirmation of the program the final price will be calculated and you will be able to pay the rest by bank transfer or in cash upon arrival in Gudevitsa.
The price for the program includes:
- Accommodation and food (3 meals per day);
- Program fee;
- Organized transfer by bus from Sofia to the venue and back to Sofia.
There will be limited financial aid available for this program for those who are unable to pay the full fee. Please contact ogi@learningforchange.net to express interest for a scholarship and learn more about how to apply.
Guides
Laura Gunion
Laura believes that humans have tremendous potential, much of it hidden from our strategic and logical inquiries. As a mentor, guide, coach, and naturalist, it is both her privilege and responsibility to accompany others as they summon the courage to participate in these times from their true nature. She sees and notices thresholds, inviting people to consider the importance and beauty of things falling away and dying before something else comes into life. This is important, not only for ourselves, but also to create conditions that will benefit future generations. She insists on bringing the soulful and sacred into daily living. Her curiosity, acute listening, and precise questioning call people towards living boldly and courageously. Laura was profoundly shaped by relationships formed over 20 years at Wilderness Awareness School as a full-time instructor/mentor. Laura attended her first Animas program in 2006 where she was fascinated and perplexed by what she was experiencing, stoking the flames of curiosity that still burn brightly. She lives in the woods above Duvall, WA where she shares land with Bewick’s Wren, black bear, honey bees, raven, her husband, their cat, amazing neighbors, and many other wild ones.
Brian Stafford, MD, MPH
Brian Stafford is a guide to the wilderness of nature, wildness, and soul. Called out of academic medicine to serve as a guide to the depths and to serve as an agent of cultural awakening and transformation, he guides with humor, playfulness, fierceness, compassion, discernment, and a deep remembering of the fullness of what each human life can, should, and was meant to be. A native of Colorado and the former holder of an endowed chair and professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, he is currently a guide, Board Member, and Training Director of the Wild Mind Training Program at Animas. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Pacifica Graduate Institute, as well as an expert in psychedelic preparation and integration. He is an avid outdoorsman, teacher, writer, mentor, partner, and parent. He delights in helping individuals rewild and ensoul their lives by assisting in the dissolution of their current life so that they may discover and live from their deeper life, their soul-life. Brian currently makes his home in Ojai, California.
Location
Gudevitsa village, Bulgaria, “School in Nature” educational center
Pictures from the venue – HERE
Food and Accommodation
The program is fully catered, providing healthy vegetarian food. We will pass on any dietary restrictions advised by you at registration.
Accommodation is indoors in a shared rooms with up to 12 beds and outdoors in big festival tents with up to 4 beds. There is also an option to camp in individual tents. In the center we have a limited amount of individual tents and big number of mats and sleeping bags. We will gladly offer you this equipment for free.
Detailed Infopack – Infopack Wild Mind Shadow Training
Contacts
For any questions and more information please contact:
Ognian Gadoularov – +359 896756267; ogi@learningforchange.net
Application
If you are interested to participate in this program fill in the Application form – HERE