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The Heart of

Relationship


A Retreat to Deepen in Love & Sacred Partnership

Facilitated by Karuna & Paul Erickson
and Darcy Kopas & Robin Flynn

September 12-15th, 2025 | Star River Sanctuary, British Columbia

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The Heart of Relationship is a soulful, immersive retreat for everyone longing to bring more loving kindness, compassion,  joy, and

balance to both intimate and all interpersonal relationships.

The insights and practices that will be shared in this retreat are inspired by

a combined experience of Karuna & Paul's 60 year partnership and Darcy & Robin's 20 year love adventure.

How do we navigate through all of the great joys and deep challenges of committed relationships, through the daily tending to life and living our unique authentic spiritual paths,

and continue to keep turning toward one another in love?

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In the Heart of Relationship, we will explore, remember, and experience the unity

that underlies all seeming dualities -

the place of loving awareness the mystics call the Sacred Marriage.

 You are welcome whether ​you’re in an ongoing relationship presently or not, in a thriving chapter or navigating tender terrain, or curious about exploring what fundamental qualities are important in relationship. This retreat is an invitation and opportunity to deepen your connection and return to love as a living, evolving practice in all your relationships.

In this retreat we will explore the foundational qualities of relationship that support and sustain us through the inevitable challenges and pain and open us to the deep joy of connection.

When our close relationships are strong and healthy, we are resourced to bring more of the inherent qualities of our heart forward. Our interpersonal

connections become a source of deep nourishment, strength, courage and

prosperity. But when they are strained or unwell, they can also become some of the most painful and disorienting parts of our lives.

This retreat is about remembering who and what we most deeply are.

It’s about finding and sustaining the goodness that draws us to relationship-

--the spark of love, the soul resonance, and the magic that connects us.

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What If Your Relationship Wasn’t Just Surviving, But Truly Thriving?

This retreat is rooted in the lived experience of two couples who have spent decades walking the path of sacred partnership:

  • Karuna and Paul Erickson, together for 60 years

  • Robin and Darcy Kopas, partners for nearly 20 years

Together, we will journey into the deep waters of what it truly takes to grow, sustain, and thrive in a conscious, loving relationship. This is not philosophy but the practical wisdom born of direct experience. 

During our time together, we will explore:

  •  What makes love last—and how to keep it vibrant and nourishing through the seasons of change

  • Tools for navigating the hard times—from conflict to miscommunication to long periods of disconnection

  • How to make your relationship a true sanctuary—a space where both hearts feel safe, seen, and inspired

  • What it practically takes to thrive in joyful partnership and marriage over the inevitable challenges and pain of relationship  -how to individually navigate beginning with one’s self and bringing those insights to relationship

  • How to keep the good flowing—whether you’re currently in an intimate relationship or calling it in

This retreat is for anyone in a partnership, or anyone who is preparing their heart for sacred relationship. No matter where you are on the journey, you are welcome here.

About Your Guide

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A Multi-Lineage, Heart-Led Journey

This retreat is deeply inspired by the perennial wisdom traditions of:

  • Mystical Yogic Wisdom

  • Embodied Buddhist teachings and practices

  • Andean & Cross Cultural Earth honoring ceremonial practice

Each lineage we work with offers a unique path to the Universal Heart—the timeless wisdom that lives within each one of us. This is not a philosophy, but a lived experience that awakens, heals, and evolves all that we truly are.

 

Together, we will explore and embody the great truth at the core of every mystical path:

  • Love is what unites us.

  • Loving awareness transcends all illusion of separateness.

  • Our unity is not a dream. It is reality. It is who we are.

  • Through movement, breath, ritual, honest dialogue, and sacred ceremony, we will co-create a field where love can be remembered, reclaimed, and renewed.

As Hafiz once asked,

“How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against its being…”

Let us be that light for each other.

What Awaits You in This Sacred Gathering

  • Enter the Great Mysteries through the profound teachings of Yoga, Buddhism, Earth Honouring Shamanism, Breathwork, and Somatic Integration.

  • Experience deep healing through a Heart Medicine Ceremony focused on bringing Love to all relationships.

  • Engage in powerful shamanic journey work to uncover the hidden wisdom stored within our DNA.

  • Focused support for your life, relationship, and path of awakened Heart.

  • Sacred Council: Share in deep, heart-centered dialogue with a circle of kindred spirits.

  • Restorative Movement & Embodiment: Experience breath work, yoga, dance, and shamanic energy practices to ground your transformation.

  • Radical Cooperation & Open-Source Innovation: Together, we will birth new systems of mutual support for ourselves, our families, and our communities during this Great Turning.

  • Self-Care & Renewal:There will be opportunities for body work, medicine baths, and long walks in the many hiking trails on Crystal Mountain.

  • Post-Retreat Integration: Receive support through a follow-up Zoom integration call to weave your experiences into daily life.

Retreat Schedule

Friday, September 12

  • 9:00–9:30 am · Arrival & Welcome

  • 10:00–12:00 pm · Opening Circle

  • 12:00–1:00 pm · Nourishing Lunch

  • 1:00–6:00 pm · Heart Yoga & Meditation with Karuna & Paul

  • 6:00 pm · Dinner

Evening · Rest & Relaxation

Saturday, September 13

Heart Medicine Ceremony
A sacred day of Earth-honoring ceremony facilitated by Darcy & Robin

  • All day · Immersion in Kamasqa Ceremony

  • Mid-Evening · Dinner

Sunday, September 14

Integration, Embodiment & Nourishment

  • 8:30–9:30 am · Smoothies & Tea

  • 9:30–11:30 am · Heart Yoga & Meditation

  • 11:30 am · Brunch

  • 12:30–5 pm · Ceremony Integration Circle closing circle (Guests who need to return home can or you are welcome to stay one more night for deeper rest and integration) 

  • 5-8pm Bodywork

  • 6 pm · Dinner (optional) 

Optional: Stay for an extra night of rest and integration onsite (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR PERSONAL INTEGRATION) 

 

Monday, September 15

Completion & Blessing

  • 8:00–9:00 am · Breakfast & Tea

9:00–10:30 am · Optional Karma Yoga Practice

What is included in this retreat:

  • Three Days of Earth-Honoring Ceremonial Work, Yoga, and Meditation

  •  Heart Medicine Ceremony

  • Guided Shamanic Journey Work 

  • Nourishing Organic, Vegetarian Meals

  • Cozy lodging

  • Highly Skilled, Experienced Facilitators

  • Optional Flower Baths & Bodywork Sessions

  • A Powerfully Held Container for Deep Transformation

  • This retreat will be held at Star River Sanctuary 

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This is your invitation to step into the HEART OF RELATIONSHIP.

To return home to the LOVE that lives within you.

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Join us in this sacred journey of remembrance, devotion,

and radical transformation.​ 

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Sacred Reciprocity:

$999-$1,888

 

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This price is all inclusive - accommodations, food and ceremonies.

More About Our Pricing Policy

At Visionary Hearts, we are devoted to creating transformative ceremonial retreats that honor the sacred balance of giving and receiving. In 2025, we are embracing a new model of sacred reciprocity—one rooted in generosity, sustainability, and accessibility—while ensuring that we meet the tangible needs required to sustain Star River Sanctuary as a thriving center of healing. For each Visionary Hearts retreat held @ Star River Sanctuary, we have established a sliding scale pricing structure that honors both the depth of our offerings and the diverse financial realities of our community. Upon registration, you will provide a non-refundable (but transferable) deposit, securing your space in the retreat. The remaining financial reciprocity will be exchanged in cash upon arrival, supporting the continued growth and daily operations of our sanctuary. This reciprocity is essential—not only for covering the costs of hosting these powerful experiences, but also for ensuring that we can: ✨ Generously compensate our stellar staff with wages that make it possible for them to prioritize working with us and continue sharing their invaluable gifts. ✨ Improve and enhance the retreat space, bringing greater comfort, beauty, and harmony to the land for you, our guests. ✨ Sustain the long-term viability of our sanctuary, covering our mortgages and the many operational demands required to hold this sacred space in British Columbia at this time. At the heart of all we do is devotion, excellence, and love. Every event we offer is infused with the highest level of care, refinement, and integrity, ensuring that you receive an experience of true beauty and transformation. We are deeply honored to hold space for your healing and awakening journey, and we believe that all who feel a sincere call to sacred ceremony should have access to this work. With this new model, we walk forward in reciprocity, ensuring that our sanctuary and this sacred path of service continue to flourish for all who seek it. In addition to each ceremonial retreat we include in this Sacred Reciprocal exchange: 🌿 Organic, Local, Delicious Food – Prepared by our amazing Star Team cooks, each meal is crafted with love and intention to nourish the body, heart, and soul. We highlight homegrown goodness from our 7 Generations Garden Project, and each retreat includes a tour and an Ayni Karma Yoga experience in the garden. 🍽 6 Handmade Meals of Pure YUM featuring: Local and organic plant-based meals (gluten-free and vegan options available) Hand- and heart-crafted dishes made with care Raw, gluten-free, and vegan desserts Delicious beverages from Virtue Tea and Oso Negro Organic Coffee 💫 Sacred Practices & Transformational Experiences 🎶 Sacred songs & ceremonial music 🌀 Restorative movement, dance, and shamanic energy practices 🧘‍♀️ Skilled, experienced, and kind facilitators 🌱 Private intake call with Robin, Darcy, or Star Team member & mentorship call to prepare for your retreat (if requested) 🔄 Integration support with one follow-up group Zoom calls and individual support as needed 🌳 Full access to the gardens, forest, and beautiful springs of Crystal Mountain & Star River Sanctuary 💆‍♀️ Additional bodywork add-ons available Lodging Options at Star River Sanctuary This spring we are updating all of our sleeping spaces!!! We are replacing our cozy bell tents for more comfortable and beautiful Bedroom Domes. Available for guests are triple dome sleeping rooms and two queen bed cabin rooms. We are building a bathhouse for retreat guests with 2 bathtub rooms and two outdoor shower stalls. While still a rustic eco-retreat, each year, your generous love and contributions, allow us to little by little upgrade our digs:) 🌿 Learn more & join us: 🔗 www.visionaryhearts.com 🔗 www.starriversanctuary.com

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