Medicine Retreats with Michael

Experience a private weekend or Daylong Spiritual ceremony in the redwood forest at the home of Dr. Michael Smith

APPLY BELOW

Welcome home.....
to a weekend of private ceremony & Spirit connection

Get ready for a transformative weekend (or a daylong experience, should you choose) of private spiritual ceremony (One on One) while staying in a tranquil redwood forest at the home and land of Michael Smith just 30 minutes from the pacific ocean - one hour north of San Francisco, CA.

We will work closely with each other, and with Spirit, to release that which holds you back, and open up your channel so that you can more clearly receive Spirit communication -and manifest the things you want to create in your life.  

All done in a relaxed atmosphere of pure joy and laughter

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BELOW

Medicine Retreats with Michael

Transformation & Joy in one of the most beautiful places on Earth....

(pictured below is the mountainous land at Michael's home where you will be having your Vision Quest Ceremony & Experience).

I am so eager to welcome you home to the sacred redwood forest & land for an amazing weekend of ceremony and spiritual connection! (Pictured above is the view from my home....where you will be anchored into the tranquility of a beautiful mountainous energy vortex). If you are committed to deepening your relationship with Spirit, and ready to be initiated into spiritual ceremony, including an authentic traditional vision quest experience, then read on......

Many of you know that I have devoted my life to serving Spirit - and that has included 20+ years of shamanic experience and ceremonial preparation to practice the medicine ways of our ancestors.  And now the time has come to share that wisdom with you in a 1:1 ceremonial experience which will prepare you for a life of deeper meaning, connection, Service to Spirit, and Joy.

This summer and fall, on chosen dates that are convenient for you, I will welcome you into my home, on multiple acres of tranquil land for a weekend of magic and connection.   In addition to the magic that comes from deep personal connection, conversation, and ceremony - you will experience ONE, TWO, or 2.5 days of deep union and communion with the Spirit realm (see exchange rates near the bottom of this page).  The intention of the weekend is to engage you in practices and activities that will amplify your intuition, spiritual connection, and your ability to deeply TRUST it.

After you submit your application in which you share with me your intentions, we will work together, prior to your arrival, to prepare you both energetically and logistically.   There will be a  practices that I, and Spirit, will ask you to engage in prior to your arrival, so that the Spirit realm can 'reach' you more easily once you arrive on the land.

‍On the Saturday morning of your arrival at my home in Woodacre, CA, one hour north of San Francisco, we will explore the beautiful, sacred, and ancient redwood forests for a full day of spiritual ceremony.  The redwoods offer an amplifying effect on your ability to receive strong and clear messages from your intuition, and from Spirit.   I will tailor our sites to your ability to walk and hike.  If you prefer shorter routes, we can arrange that!  :) 

With a little bit of mystical morning fog and mid-day sunshine,  I will be taking you through valleys, forests, and beaches that are not only spectacularly beautiful, but carry the energetic echoes and imprints from our indigenous ancestors. You will literally FEEL their presence as we call them into our ceremony.

Then, on day 2 (Sunday), we will spend the whole day in a vision quest experience on the land at my home that will be the capstone experience of your time here, and perhaps even one of the capstone experiences of your life. During vision quest experiences, the energy, time, and money that you spend in preparation comes back to you tenfold.  

You can expect to have experiences of deep synchronicity, waking visions, enhanced psychic perception, and very likely outright Spirit contact from loved ones, guides, and ancestors.   That's the intention, and of course, how the experience actually unfolds is dependent upon what you NEED, not what you want.  

We humble ourselves deeply to the Spirit world during experiences like this, and that humility is a transcendent experience in and of itself.  After the weekend, you will come away relaxed, refreshed, and more connected to the Source of your existence, with less worry and monkey-mind.  

Because of your preparation and your commitment, you will experience unconditional love and acceptance for yourself.  A warm blanket of comfort and love is what we will co-create together, and I look forward to receiving your application, and potentially welcoming you into my home so that you can FEEL at home in your human body and existence.

With love, devotion, prayer and gratitude for you,

Michael
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" I would do it again in a heartbeat. Michael is an angel, and the embodiment of a Lightworker and listened deeply with all 6 senses whilst simultaneously channeling from the Divine. There was no doubt that you can comfortably share "anything" about yourself and have him hold space for you with unconditional love and acceptance. His mission is clear and abundant; to help heal the world, one person at a time ." - Judy Johnson, speaking on her 2023 retreat.

Join us near San Francisco - Apply now
"Michael, as I am sitting here this morning ready to depart, I have so much gratitude and emotion overcoming me, I need to let you know how much I am thankful. What we accomplished this weekend was so magical. I never had such a truly spiritual experience."
- Janine
"I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Michael is the embodiment of a Lightworker and an "Angel" in a human body! He is so obviously tuned in to the Divine at all times. He listened deeply with all 6 senses whilst simultaneously channeling from the Divine. That was a wonder to behold for me! There was no doubt that you can comfortably share "anything" about yourself and have him hold space for you with unconditional love and acceptance." - JUDY JOHNSON
"This retreat was a Godsent and a breath of fresh air. I am so thankful for my ability to listen to my higher self and obey what my soul needed. I walked into this retreat confused seeking answers and walked out reborn and excited OWNING all the parts of me to attract love, peace, abundance, and live a life of flow and happiness. Take the leap you will not regret it!"  
- Warren Augustin, Texas
"The retreat was transformative and unlike anything I have ever experienced before. It was a culmination of true human interaction, time and space with my higher self. Exposure to traditional practices that I would've never had the opportunity to witness or participate in; they were full circle moments where I felt connected to ancestors and generations before me. A peace with what was, a removal of expectation and fear for what may be, and an openness and space to just be right now.  I would do it all over again in a heartbeat."  
- T. G.
"Michael has created a safe space for sensitive people to gather and learn to work with their gifts in a non-overwhelming, hands-on way that is unique in my experience. Learning to be vulnerable and to connect with other people in that vulnerability is a powerful thing and difficult when one is so sensitive to energy from others. In my opinion, unravelling established patterns of distrust and overwhelm is the first, very important step to learning to work with the empath gifts and this retreat really went a long way to that end."
- B. R.
"I am still in awe and gratitude for the incredible weekend and the energy you poured into it. Love and transformation was abound. It continues to ripple. You have taught and reminded me to take pause. I am grateful for you and thank you for the blessings you bestowed." 
- Jennifer
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Connect to your Divine Self in Nature with a personal vision quest....

Learn advanced practices,, ceremonies, and tools to purify your energy field - & transform your relationship with the Divine. Learn how to interpret Spirit communication - all by communing with magical Nature Spirits at Michael's home  in an enchanted forest.


"Life changing doesn't even begin to describe it. What an unbelievable time!
- Kevin Friel,
speaking about his retreat experience.


"Amazing doesn't even come close!  
I'm still thrumming!" - Linda Phillips

Your Medicine Retreat includes:

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  • Your choice of One, Two, or 2.5 days of ceremony in the unforgettable energy of pristine redwood forests and majestic ocean hideouts.
  • Personal transformation, support & nurturing. Come ready to release what holds you back and receive incredible, palpable NEW high-vibe SOURCE energy to fuel you.
  • Refresh your energy with daily gentle stretching, breathwork, and meditationFor all body types and all abilities. I'll lead you in these activites each morning, only if you choose.
  • Learn how to communicate with Spirit and open your own channel to higher dimensional Spiritual/Source energy to strengthen your Intuition and Spiritual connection
  • Practices to strengthen your energy field so that you are not taking on other people's energies.
  • Private Bedroom & Shared Bath during your stay at my home.
  • Deeply immerse yourself in nature and Spirit, away from the distractions of modern life. We will be visiting sacred Native lands, mostly untouched, and have the opportunity to see whales and seals.
  • Experience several Native American ceremonies (no plant medicine).
  • Receive energy healing from Michael, should you choose.  I'll be holding space for you the whole experience, and we can give your body and emotions and spirit a lift as a part of the experience.

Your Ceremony Facilitator:

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Michael R. Smith, Ph.D.


For nearly 20 years, Dr. Michael R. Smith's pioneering work to connect empaths and sensitives with their Divine potential has helped millions. Michael has been a practitioner of shamanic and indigenous (Lakota based) ceremonial arts for the last 20 years. He lives at the top of a Mountain in a redwood forest in Woodacre, CA -  where he will introduce you to the elemental and nature spirits that inhabit the land where he lives and caretakes. Michael wil facilitate a vision quest experience for you on his land as a part of this experience.

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Your Private Retreat Ceremony Awaits....

Medicine Retreat Daily Outline



You may be interested in arriving a day early
to explore the area on your own, or perhaps visit the city of San Francisco, CA - one hour from my home.

Meals are included
, and you may want to bring your own snacks. I will do my best to accomodate special needs diets.  

Arrive on any Friday or Saturday, stay through Sunday or Monday.  
Please list weekends or days that you prefer from May through October, 2025 in your application. Unless you are local, you will likely need to arrive a day prior to our start if you choose the 2 or 2.5 day experience.  We can work out a detailed itinerary that works for you.


SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY
8 am - Breakfast  
9 am - Morning Meditation & gentle stretching (for all bodies)
11 am - 5 pm - Explore sacred lands, forests & oceans with authentic Native American & indigenous Spirit Ceremony throughout the day (there will be relatively short hikes to reach our destinations, about 60-75 mins of walking each day).  A boxed lunch will be provided - you will take your lunch in your backpack.
6 pm (approx) - Dinner
7 pm - Personal time,

DAY 1: Visiting Sacred & ancient Ceremonial Land & Sites
We will likely visit 2-3 different sacred sites, one in the morning, break for lunch (included), and then one in the afternoon.   The sacred and ancient land has an amplifying effect on your energy and opens a portal to Spirit.  I will lead you through a full day of activities and exercises deisigned to strengthen your intuition and connection to Spirit.


DAY  2Your Vision Quest Experience:
After morning yoga and meditation, we will spend the morning in spirit activities preparing for your vision quest experience, which will be facilitated on land on my property in the afternoon (and potentially outdoors overnight, if you desire, weather dependent).

The vision quest will be facilitated in a manner that is inspired by traditional indigenous culture and practices. You will be using your inuition to locate your power place on the land, and then I will facilitate and shepard you into a deep sacred ceremony in which you commune with nature and with Spirit. The vision quest experience will involve your commitment and preparation in advance of your arrival.  We will explore, well in advance, everything you need to do to energetically and logistically prepare yourself for this capstone experience.

Day 3 (optional) -  (half day ending around Noon to 2 pm)
I'll lead you in yoga, meditation if you choose, have a leisurely breakfast, and we will take a walk at some other sacred sites close to my home, before you depart.  We will end with a beautiful ceremony & some energy work around 11 am to 2 pm, depending on your travel plans. If you are flying in for the weekend, arrange your flight for after 5-6 pm to give yourself plenty of travel time.  I can take you back to the San Rafael Transit Center, where you can shuttle back to the airport or take an Uber.  Or, for an additional nominal fee, I can take you directly to the aiport from my home. If you prefer to get a hotel to integrate or have other plans to explore the area on your own, I am happy to work with you and/or drive you to where you need to be.



please email Michael here with any questions

The view from your private balcony where you will stay at my home in Woodacre,CA
I will design a personal itinerary with you that can include rivers as well as beaches, should you desire. If you prefer to avoid going up ladders, not a problem!  Plenty of rivers without stairs.
One of the beautiful spots in Woodacre that we can visit, should you desire.  I will design an itinerary with you that can include your preference for forests, lakes, rivers, or ocean sites.

APPLY NOW - 2025 Summer & Fall

Your choice of the following days or weekends: (choose your own combo of days on the application).


1) July 12, 13,14
2) July 18,19,20,21
3) Aug 8,9,10,11
4) Aug 29,30,31, Sept 1
5) Sept 12,13,14,15
6) Sept 19,20,21,22


I will consider weekends in October as well, please list your interest on the application.

Your day(s) will begin at 10 am and go until around 5-6 pm.  I'll cook you two meals a day.



  1. 1. NO REFUNDS . The only exception to this would be if you became ill and needed to cancel for that reason.
  2. 2. HOTELS & TRANSPORT:  You are responsible for your own transportation to and from Woodacre, CA.  Guidelines and suggestions for travel will be emailed.  An Uber from the airport is the most convenient. Otherwise, it is recommended to take The Marin Airporter shuttle ($29 is the cheapest shuttle) from SFO airport to San Rafael Transit Center (about 40 min), where you will then  UBER directly to Spirit House (110 Fire Road, Woodacre, CA 94973) for about $30-60, depending on time of day.   That is the easiest arrangement, or you can take the local bus from San Rafael transit center using the Inverness route.  If choosing the bus, make sure to stop at Park St & Central Ave in Woodacre.  You will arrange with Michael who can pick you up from this spot, which is about 4-5 minute drive. Cut and paste this link into your browser to find out exact tims of departure and arrival. https://marintransit.org/routes/68

    3. PAYMENT - Once your application is approved, if you are chosen by Spirit to attend, Michael will send you an invoice for the amount due. Your first installment is due to secure your spot, and will allow me to begin ceremonial preparations on your behalf. You may split your payment into three monthly payments if desired.

    4. PREPARATION:  You agree that by applying that you will commit to following specific instructions to prepare prior to your arrival.  I, Michael, will share certain behaviors to avoid and practices to prepare yourself so that you can energetically be ready to receive the gifts of Spirit.

    5. .All registrants will become automatic 6-month members of the Empath Sanctuary community.
  3. Got questions? Email Michael Smith

APPLY  HERE -  

2 days of Lodging & Meals included.

1 day: $800

2 days/1 night: $1800

2.5 days/2 nights: $2200