Our country and world is in a precarious place, divided and polarized, with many people unable to even talk to those who hold a different opinion. Now, more than ever, we need to make a shift in consciousness, resolving our own personal and ancestral trauma and broadening our understanding of each other, so as to better serve our communities, and the world at large.

Groups of 20-40 people gather at our center in Taos, New Mexico to explore the connection between the inner world and how this shapes our relationship to the planet, community, and personal relationships. We work from the truth that “as it is within, so it is without.” All of our actions and the quality of our relationships are rooted in, and are colored by, our own consciousness.

We hold the idea that no one needs to be fixed because no one is broken, and that every person has within them the wisdom to heal. We teach people how to access and listen to their inner knowing or intuition, and to the profound wisdom of the physical body. We bear witness to each other without offering advice, spontaneously giving rise to compassion. We teach meditation, chant, and other forms of spiritual practice. We address both personal and collective trauma and the impact it has on our lives––individually, communally, and nationally. This includes working with the ancestors.

It is a core value to make retreats accessible to all. Towards this end, we currently offer a four-tiered pricing structure that includes scholarships at every level. This allows people from all walks of life and socioeconomic levels to participate in retreats: students, teachers, farmers, nurses, social workers, young people, elderly people on a fixed income, and the unemployed. Over half of the people in any given retreat have received some level of scholarship.

As a family-run organization, and to sustainably continue our offerings, we are launching the Antara Community Fund. Donations allow us to increase our circle of support and grant access to the profound Antara Retreat experience for those who, otherwise, would not be able to attend. We are grateful to offer this work.

If you are interested in supporting the Antara Community Fund, please reach out to Jan Birchfield at jan@antarataos.com

Project Director Bio:

Jan Birchfield, PH.D.
Jan is the founder of Antara Retreat. She weaves together psychology, spirituality, shamanic and contemplative practice. She enjoys exploring the unlimited nature of consciousness, and then linking that exploration to our work in the world.

Jan has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a Ph.D. in psychology. From 2004 until 2009, she had the honor of working under the tutelage of the late David LaChapelle, drawing on his broad and deep knowledge of spiritual traditions and practices from around the world. In 2007, David initiated Jan into a shamanic practice. She then attended the Four Winds Residential Energy Training Program to augment her practice.

In 1995 Jan co-founded the Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence, a leadership development company. In 2011, she founded Contemplative Leadership Development and opened Antara Retreat in Taos, New Mexico. Jan has blogged for the Huffington Post, Huffington Post/Brazil, Medium, and Thrive Global. She has written several articles for Forbes and has published two books - Silent Leaders and Wing of Effort, Wing of Grace.