Guiding the Descent to Soul Since 1980
The nature-based journey of soul initiation is the way
to personal revelation, visionary leadership, and cultural regeneration.
Animas Valley Institute
Mythologies from around the world tell of seekers whose arduous journeys into the underworld bestow boons to be brought back to the people. But the myths don’t tell us how contemporary people might undertake this journey…
Founded by Bill Plotkin in 1980, Animas Valley Institute offers a rich assortment of guided immersions into the mysteries of nature and psyche, including Soulcraft intensives, contemporary vision fasts, and training programs for nature-based soul guides.
What’s New
Brian Swimme and Bill Plotkin in Dialogue on Cosmogenesis and the Journey of Soul Initiation: Bill interviewed Brian on his fascinating memoir (an “auto-cosmology”), Cosmogenesis, from the perspective of his book being an account of Brian’s journey of soul initiation. This conversation took place at a celebration called The New Cosmic Story, on July 6, 2024, in the Thomas Berry Hall at The Whidbey Institute, on Whidbey Island, WA, USA, sponsored by The Center for Knowing Home. Click Here for the video
A recent podcast: Bill Plotkin in conversation with Nate Hagens of The Great Simplification podcast: “Where have all the elders gone? As the world grapples with its unfolding economic and energy crises, it can often feel like we lack capable guides to help our societies navigate these transitions. How can we cultivate ourselves as individuals to become balanced, true adults who are fully equipped to contribute to our communities, the planet, and the massive changes ahead? In this episode, Nate is joined by eco-depth psychologist Bill Plotkin to explore the profound themes of human development, the urgent need for ecological awakening, and the importance of art and nature in navigating the crises of modern society. Plotkin also outlines his eight stages of eco-centric human development to foster a healthier future for humanity and the planet.”
A second recent podcast: Bill Plotkin in conversation with Brian Pearson of The Mystic Cave podcast: “Out here, on the far side of conventional religion, no path is more compelling than the one that leads us to know our natural place within the larger earth community. And there may be no better modern guide than Bill Plotkin, the author of four books on the subject and the founder of the Animas Valley Institute. The way is called “soul initiation,” which is devastating to the ego but life-giving to the soul. And it just might help save the planet.”
We’ve added to the website a set of Experiential Activities for Addressing the Tasks of the Eight Developmental Stages of the Soulcentric Wheel of Life. Check it out here
Our cancellation policies & procedures have changed – Click here to review the updates
Council in the Commons – join us for a free weekly 90-minute Soulcraft conversation
Animas COVID-19 Response
Explore Our Offerings
Immersions
A great place to begin with Animas, our immersions offer experiential explorations into Soulcraft and Wild Mind practices, preparing wanderers for soul initiation and discovery of one’s unique mythopoetic identity.
Trainings
Animas trainings offer deeper dives into Soulcraft practices for trainees in our Wild Mind Training Program and Soulcraft Initiation and Apprenticeship Program (SAIP), as well as for cultural change agents and guides working in human development fields.
A SAIP Application is generally the beginning step in a conversation that takes some months to complete.
Not Sure? Here are a few great places to start.
Two Streams within Animas Valley Institute
THERE ARE TWO DISTINCT STREAMS within Animas Valley Institute, one flowing above ground through the sunlit mountains and fertile fields of our daily lives, the other coursing underground through dark vaults and the hidden passageways of soul. The waters of both streams are precious elixirs for those longing to embody and express their full magnificence and human possibility.
The Wild Mind Stream
THE WILD MIND STREAM assists you in cultivating all four facets of your innate human wholeness, especially those most neglected. All facets must be awakened and embodied in order to do anything in life to full capacity.
The Underworld Stream
THE UNDERWORLD STREAM carries you through fruitful darkness to the brink of your current life plateau and then hurls you over the falls, dismantling the story you’ve been living as you plummet toward the alluring but dangerous mysteries of your mythopoetic identity, your one true place — not in human culture but in the greater Earth community.
Join our community of wanderers, visionaries, tricksters, and culture-change agents.
Animas Founder Bill Plotkin
Our founder Bill Plotkin, Ph.D., is a depth psychologist, cultural visionary and wilderness guide who has been blazing trails to nature and soul for many moons. His ecocentric re-visioning of psychology invites us into a conscious embodied relationship with our original wholeness so we may commit ourselves to the largest, soul-infused story we’re capable of living to serve the greater Earth community. He dwells in the wilds of southwestern Colorado.
Bill Plotkin’s Books
