Dear Friends of Animas

Become a conscious contributor to the organization that has said YES to soul since 1980...

We are now finding that without the assistance of the invisible world we become confused and even frightened in times of crisis. We do not know how to call for assistance in these moments of difficulty or how to ask for healing beyond the ordinary medical procedures. We are lacking in people who are sufficiently skilled in guiding us through our individual or community crisis. We have never spent days and nights fasting on a mountaintop crying for a vision to guide, strengthen and protect us throughout our lives.  -- Thomas Berry -- Foreword to Soulcraft: Crossing Into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche (2003, Plotkin)

The highest priorities at Animas Valley Institute are to train nature-based soul guides (underworld escorts) and to engender artisans of cultural transformation who lead with vision, world-changing creativity, and finely tuned skill.

Our 35 programs support the descent to soul for people ready to mature rather than simply age, women and men who envision a life-enhancing alternative to our fragmented society and who have resolved to help build it. Animas programs provide the psychospiritual assistance to "carry what is hidden," as poet David Whyte writes, "as a gift to others" -- guided by the mysteries of nature -- as contribution to the Great Work of the twenty-first century that Thomas Berry eloquently described and inspired.

This past year brought record-breaking participation at Animas despite dire economic indicators. We see this as confirming a pervasive hunger for the kind of change that could literally alter the evolution of our species and further evidence that we Western people have never been more ready to retrieve our soul gifts, to awaken to the beauty and terror that awaits us all, to cry for a vision, to unearth and express our unique contributions, and live the life intended by soul.

Will you join us as we embark on another year of ushering in a new world story?

We know we cannot do this work alone!  It takes a large community to envision and create a healthy, lasting, sustainable organization. It requires substantial time and energy (volunteers and advocates); cash or in-kind donations; endowments and grants; expertise and generative creativity; and, not least, brimming enrollment in our programs!

We hope you'll sign up for a program, gift a registration to someone you love, and/or generously contribute to the Animas Scholarship Fund and seed the future for those who do not yet have the means to reclaim and embody their wholeness and destiny. Last year, through generous donor contributions, Animas was able to provide nearly $10,000 in scholarships to 23 participants, the majority being those new to Animas programming.
Beyond our scholarship fund, we also welcome your gift to support our operational capacity. It can cost us significantly more to produce Animas programs than we are able to raise through our modest program fees. Please let us know if you prefer your donation to go to our scholarship fund, operations fund, or our choice.

Contributing now makes a difference immediately, or you might prefer to make a gift through your estate. Whatever your choice, all amounts are appreciated, as each dollar helps assure that Animas thrives and continues to give soul first place.

Donate

To donate, please click here. If you prefer, call with your credit card information (800-451-6327) or mail a check to Animas Valley Institute, P.O. Box 1020, Durango, CO 81302.

In deep gratitude,  

The Animas Team

P.S.  Your tax-deductible donation of any amount makes a significant difference by supporting the cultural transformation made possible by the human encounter with the mysteries of nature and soul. Please give as generously as you can.