Shifting Fear into fascination

Mystery School of Living & Dying

Explore your relationship with life & death.A pilgrimmage through aversion into wonder.

Trauma-informed, somatic-based and led by professionals.Four days and three nights at a mountain villa in southern Spain.

November 1-4, 2024

The retreat.

Cultivating a New Culture of Dying

Deep inquiry into your relationship with death leads to a clearer vision and increased reverence for your life.The Mystery School of Living and Dying is a journey of self-discovery using practical and healing tools to explore our relationship with death. Together we will create a safe and dynamic space to express, explore and share.Traditionally all cultures knew the art of tending to their loved ones at the time of death. It is only in the modern era that we have become disconnected from this process. Our time together is an opportunity to transform any fear or discomfort of death into an honoring of the sacredness of the great transition, life’s ending.The philosophical, therapeutic and spiritual aspects of the program will be combined with a practical education regarding the death process. This includes advance directives, at-home palliative care, body preparation and best practices for supporting the self and others during these processes.Perhaps the most profound medicine offered in this retreat will come from within the amplified group field we create with our presence. Your stories, talents and unique wisdom will emerge as valuable transmissions for all.You'll leave with a heightened understanding of your personal journey & understanding of death culture, better integration of your heart, body and mind, new skills to tend the dying and with connections to a new community of friends and practitioners.--

You will experience:

  • Emergent circle work : sharing what is alive in you, witnessed with compassion

  • Inner tracking & somatic therapy : working with the body to uncover its blockages, release emotion and discover its wisdom.

  • Self-care for care givers : nervous system education

  • Exercises : exploring life review, amends work and grief

  • Breathwork : working with our nervous systems to release and heal

  • Guided meditation : inner exploration of the subconscious

  • Art therapy : creative expression on themes of life and death

  • Sound healing : surrender into vibration for deep relaxation healing

  • Education : advance directives, clarifying your final wishes, medical aid in dying (MAID), laws & regulations, disposition of remains

  • Fire ceremony : letting go of what no longer serves us

  • Practical demos & ritual role play : tending to the dying and deceased and home funerals

Mystery School is for you if:

  • you're eager to explore your philosophical and spiritual relationship to death

  • you want to develop skill in tending to the dying, personally or professionally

  • you're ready to release fear & live life with reverence

  • you are fascinated by the death doula field of work

  • you want to prepare for your own end-of-life care

  • you desire to co-create a new culture of dying in your family & community

The Facilitators.

Holding you in your story.

Michelle VesserMichelle brings her diverse life experiences into death’s sacred transition. She was raised in Southern California where she watched the farm land and open space be covered with pavement. Her deep connection with the wild and spiritual world motivated her to explore different life alternatives After graduating with a BS in Zoology she became a US Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. Living in an earth-based culture changed the direction of her life.Michelle completed her foundational training as an end-of-life doula and home funeral guide with Final Passages and Inspired Endings. She completed additional trainings with Sage Mountain Herbal Doula Studies and American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying. In addition, she has studied Tibetan Bon/Buddhist practice since 2005. She has received end-of-life teachings of Phowa (Transference of Consciousness) and Zhitro (Purification Mandala.)For the past 37 years Michelle has been a Farmer/Gardener dedicated to passing on the knowledge/art of hand-tilled, organic agriculture, and traditional herbal and foods ways in the US, Mexico and Nepal.She has also journeyed deep into her inner landscape to heal ancestral, early childhood, educational and death trauma through many somatic traditions and modalities. She now offers these unique emotional and spiritual tools, as a Spiritual Counselor to individuals, couples, groups and her end-of-life clients.In 2017 Michelle started 'Everything Sacred ~ Tending Your Inner and Outer Landscape' offering organic gardening coaching, spiritual counseling, herbals courses and end-of--life doula support. She lives in Sebastopol, California with her husband Barry.

Casya ChildersCasya’s worldview is rich and diverse. She was raised in small-town USA, spent most of her adult life in Tibetan refugee settlements in the Himalayas, and has traveled extensively all over the world studying spirituality and engaging in service work. She has collected an array of intense life lessons, authentic spiritual practices and real-world experience.A powerful community leader and facilitator, she curates life-altering therapeutic workshops that draw from both the academic and metaphysical worlds, focusing on the point where science and spirituality merge. Casya is a trauma-informed group facilitator and psychotherapist specializing in trauma, anxiety and shadow work.Casya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education & Indigenous Studies from Monmouth University and completed her regression certificate studies with the Past Life Awakening Institute, accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM). She is certified by the American Union of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. She is currently engaged with The Field Facilitator Training led by Rachel Rickards, Christian Pankhurst, David Cates & Catherine Hale.Casya lives in Andalucia, Spain with her five-year-old son.

A Shared PathA decade ago, Casya hit a bump in the road of life. Reaching out for support, a common friend pointed her towards Michelle, who helped her to alchemize a great deal of trauma and fear that was being held in her body. Shortly after they met in person at a Naka-Ima retreat in California, which Michelle was co-facilitating. A fruitful friendship was born.Years later, while encountering her own bumps, Michelle reached out to Casya, who became her therapist. They engaged in more deep, richly rewarding work together.Mystery School is the fruit born of this enduring, symbiotic friendship built on trust, love and authenticity. This is our heartfelt offering, combining our skills and experience to bring an amplified frequency of peace and healing to our world.

The setting.

Mountains of Andalucia.

The retreat is held in a charming traditional villa near the village of Competa, Spain. Located just one hour from Malaga Airport, the villa can host up to 15 participants in single and shared bedrooms. The property is surrounded by pine forest in deep nature, and offers both outdoor and indoor workshop space.During program breaks, you'll be able to walk along ancient pathways with views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mysterious mountains of Andalucia. Enjoy the many private areas tucked away in nature on the property, as well.Fresh, homecooked vegetarian meals, snacks and beverages will be provided. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated - just let us know.

The details.

Join us on the
Day of the Dead.

4 days / 3 nights
includes 10 meals, snacks & beveragesSingle Occupancy
1488 eurosShared Twin Bedroom (with your own bed)
888 eurosSleep Off-Site
688 euros

arrival time: 9-10am on Friday 1 Novemberdeparture time: 5pm on Monday 4 NovemberWe can assist in arranging ground transportation.

All ages, genders, sexual orientations, races & religious backgrounds are welcome.

Cancellation PolicyUpon acceptance of your application, full payment is due to reserve your spot.>60 day cancellation : full refund
>30 day cancellation : 50% refund
Cancellations made within 30 days will not be refunded.

Learn More.

Reach out.

Feel free to contact us to discuss the retreat in more detail.