FISHING FOR SHADOW
Artwork by Doug Van Houten
FISHING FOR SHADOW
June 09 – 13, 2026
With Brian Stafford, MD, MPH and Laura Gunion
Participation in this program requires a thorough knowledge of the Nature Based Map of Human Psyche model. As a prerequisite 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.
REGISTER NOW
Please read the detailed INFOPACK for information related to Policies and Procedures, Health, Cancellation etc.
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught…….??????
Fishing for Shadow’s Dangerous Gifts is a newer offering that is preparatory, in some ways, for the Sweet Darkness intensive.
We will explore Shadow — the hidden, deep, and dangerous realm of our psyches. The Shadow has sinister or negative aspects as well as positive or golden qualities. And it also has golden characters who wear some very sinister masks. It is dark and slippery terrain.
The Shadow is NOT what we know about ourselves and don’t like (and perhaps keep hidden or suppressed) but, rather, what is true about us but know absolutely nothing about — and would sincerely deny if accused.
During this intensive, we’ll discuss and explore personal shadow, the difficult and immensely rewarding dynamics that come up so often in life, like those overpowering emotional charges triggered by other people and by our encounters in the other-than-human world. We will also explore our Outcasts, who we might incorrectly believe to be elements of our shadow. Outcasts are often casualties of our childhood survival strategies, elements of our psyches we rejected in order to be accepted by others.
In addition, we might also dip our feet into other shadows, those that might be personal and also familial/ancestral, racial, organizational, national, and of specific collectives.
We might ask several questions:
“What gift comes to me when I begin to befriend the dark of my psyche?”
“What lies at the bottom of a stagnant well, a deep river, or a deep crack in the floor of the ocean of my psyche?”
“What being or quality is desiring to come out of the shadow and be brought to the surface of my psyche so that I might begin to discover and embody its gifts?”
We will also discuss how to respond when we project upon humans, those seen as “other” and the more than human others. And, we will discuss what we might do when other humans project upon us.
It might be that since early in our lives, we – our protector parts of our ego — have been tossing aspects of our Self into the deeper waters of our psyche so as to not risk abandonment or shame from our conformist-requiring uncivil civilization. We will work with how our Subpersonalities want to block our work of exploring our shadow, and will go fishing exactly where they wish us not to approach.
We won’t intentionally be exploring our core wounds and vulnerabilities, but who knows what we might catch during our exploration within the dark depths of our psyche? Might we catch the salmon of wisdom, or a fishy beloved as Yeats did in his dream poem referenced above, or an angler-fish that knows how to lure those waiting to die to its mouth, or an erotic moray eel, or…..?
Dates
June 09 – 13, 2026 – Start Time 1pm End Time 1pm
Who can participate
Participation in this program requires a thorough knowledge of the Nature Based Map of Human Psyche model. As a prerequisite 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 program is open for everyone who is over 18 years old and longs to take a step toward the journey of soul initiation, exploring individual depth and mystery of Nature and Psyche.
Number of participants
- Minimum number for confirming the program – 12 ppl
- Maximum number of participants – 20 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
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.
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.
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 – FISHING FOR SHADOW
Contacts
For any questions and more information please contact:
Ognian Gadoularov – +359 896756267; ogi@learningforchange.net
Registration
If you are interested to participate in this program fill in the Registration form – HERE