This event is limited to 22 people. 

Welcome to the first Sweat Lodge Retreat for Gay Men 2021: Vision Quest

Go deeperi into Conscious Sexuality in a Sweat Lodge Retreat for gay men exploring profound tantric teachings on meditation and sexuality alongside the powerful Shamanic ritual of the Sweat Lodge.

The passage of time and demands of daily life can result in a sense of loss… loss of the sense of wonder experienced as a child… loss of dreams once so important… lapsing of a commitment to a path, purpose, or practice. In a vision quest, the rules, roles, and routines of normal life are left behind, and — in both simple and profound ways — we experience a resetting of our compass, a renewal of the core truths and commitments that serve to guide us through life.

This retreat combines shamanic rituals to support your vision quest, combined with a powerful sweat lodge and tantric teachings to explore the mysteries of resetting one’s self. Each Sweat Lodge Retreat is unique and open to both newcomers and returning retreat participants. The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is a traditional Native American purification ceremony. A ceremony of renewal that brings deep spiritual and physical purification, it is known by the Native American Lakota people as the Inipi ceremony. This sacred ceremony brings healing and new beginnings into our lives. Our ceremonial facilitators for the sweat lodge are TeRangimarie and Rob Carter, who spent many years participating and leading purification ceremonies under the guidance of respected elders and teachers from North America, Canada, Alaska, and here in New Zealand. TeRangimarie and Rob have a personal commitment to honouring their elders and teachers. They received blessings from their elders and teachers to continue taking on the responsibility of offering these ceremonies in a nurturing and safe place, Manu Wairua retreat. This ceremony is a very enriching and powerful experience that has touched many people in very deep, meaningful ways. TeRangimarie and Rob will skilfully guide us on each step of the sweat lodge journey.

Grant Shepherd and Tony Thorn join TeRangimarie and Rob as co-creators of this event. Grant and Tony offer a specific focus and intention for this sweat lodge: Vision quest for Gay Men: Over the course of the weekend we will explore the experience of your vision and what this means to us as gay men. Grant and Tony have much experience in the field of shamanic and tantra and will teach time-honoured techniques to deepen our connection to your vision quest. The entire event will be safe space. The exercises will be clothed, consent based, and respectful.

Ceremony and Etiquette: Please try to arrive on time – if you can’t make the 6 pm registrations please let us know – You are welcome to come earlier. This will allow us time to make introductions and offer preparatory teachings before we go into the sweat lodge. Ceremonial medicines: Tobacco is one of the traditional plant medicines used in the purification sweat lodge. Tobacco is the plant medicine traditionally offered to the Elder running the ceremony. It is used by the Elder as an offering to the Creator and the Spirit Helpers asking for healing and protection for themselves and those attending the ceremony. Tobacco holds a spiritual energy and is known by some Native Elders as “The Grandmother who brings ‘the honouring to the ceremony’”. It is customary to gift a pouch of tobacco to the Lodge Elder as an honouring for hosting the ceremony. If coming as a group one pouch is acceptable, handed to the Elder before the ceremony on behalf of those attending. This will be taken care of by Grant and Tony.

About Manu Wairua : TeRangimarie and Rob created their property as a spiritual retreat 22 years ago. The accommodation space is a renovated and comfortable woolshed with fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, outdoor outhouse toilets, and a large outdoor deck with BBQ. It sleeps up to 15 with a combination of beds, couches, and air mattresses on the floor, or you are welcome to bring a tent and camp on the land—please note if camping you will still be charged the accommodation fee. Things to know: · The property is alcohol and drug free. Please refrain from drugs or alcohol at least 48hrs before and after the ceremony. · What to wear into the lodge. Our teachings are from traditional ways. Men wear shorts or sarong, a t-shirt is optional; please refrain from nudity. If staying over: · Please bring your own bedding (we supply bottom sheet, pillow with pillowcase.) · Bring a towel for a shower after the lodge. ·Bring shared snacks for the time you are here.

We invite you to join us on this sacred Vision Quest.

Financial contribution: Total: $250:00 per person – this includes all rituals and teachings, the sweat lodge, accommodation, and food. Please note accommodation includes tents and lodge beds – first in first served for the lodge.

Please contact Grant for registration information or register online.