We are all one…we are Daishizen

buda statue from retreat center

We are a retreat center nestled in the lush rainforest of Costa Rica

Dedicated to preserving ancient wisdom and cultivating a profound reconnection with oneself and nature. Our retreat center offers a serene and nourishing space for individuals seeking personal growth, healing, and inner transformation.

  • =Facilitate the discovery

    Of unexplored qualities and potentials in individuals’ lives.

  • =Support individuals

    Of all ages and backgrounds in their personal growth and fulfillment.

  • =A transformative experience

    Offer activities, practices, and techniques for reconnecting individuals with themselves and their primal origins.

  • =Promote physical and energetic work

    To release blockages at various levels, physical, (emotional, mental, spiritual).

  • =Guide the evolution

    Of human consciousness and culture towards solidarity, responsibility, creativity, freedom, joy, and transcendence.

What unique experiences does Daishizen Retreat Center offer?

At Daishizen Retreat Center, we offer holistic and immersive experiences that nurture the mind, body, and spirit, promoting personal growth, self-care, and inner transformation.
Immerse yourself in a transformative journey and uncover the wonders that await you at Daishizen Retreat Center.
meditating woman

reconnect-essence

Reconnect with your essence

Through a diverse approach encompassing aikido, meditation, yoga, red road ceremonies, and other holistic practices, we provide transformative experiences that foster the nourishment of the soul and the awakening of the spirit. Experience a retreat in Costa Rica

sacred elements

rituals-ceremonies

Rituals and Ceremonies

Explore rituals and ceremonies from different cultures. By honoring and integrating ancient wisdom into our lives, we can tap into a rich source of knowledge and guidance that can help us reconnect with our true selves and forge a harmonious relationship with nature.

costa rica jungle at retreat center

nature-immersion

Nature Immersion

A 118-acre tropical forest sanctuary located in one of the world’s most biodiverse areas, boasting majestic mountains, untouched primary forests, winding rivers, breathtaking waterfalls, and captivating ocean views. Immerse yourself in true nature.

wise elders

📸: @blancaestelarodriguez

Learn from Wisdom Keepers

Throughout our journey, we have been blessed to encounter numerous mentors and wisdom keepers who have placed their trust in us and stand behind our work. It is our prayer to honor their traditions and share them with you. Learn from their experiences and wisdom !

"EVERYONE HAS A SPIRIT THAT CAN BE REFINED, A BODY THAT CAN BE TRAINED IN SOME MANNER, A SUITABLE PATH TO FOLLOW. YOU ARE HERE TO REALIZE YOUR INNER DIVINITY AND MANIFEST YOUR INNATE ENLIGHTENMENT"

Morihei Ueshiba

Couple practicing aikido

OUR STORY

It all began with Aikido, a practice that not only brought us together but also ignited a dream within us.

Inspired by Aikido, we envisioned creating a space where we could share our knowledge and experiences with others. Little did we know that this would open the door to an entirely new world—the world of energetic and physical work that resonated deeply within us and became our passion and devotion.

This marked the beginning

Shortly after we met on the tatami, we left on a trip to Japan to our sensei’s dojo. This experience marked our lives. Upon our return, it motivated the idea of sharing this discipline and being able to give back all that aikido had brought to our lives.

After years of dedication and discipline in Aikido, it all began with the establishment of Daishizen Dojo in Chile. We gradually expanded our organization to include other activities such as Chinese medicine and various therapies. However, it was the encounter with Mexican grandfather Raúl Gutiérrez and Chief Jeremy Gordon that brought another dimension to our work—the Native American spiritual teachings of “The Red Road”.

This marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, where we delved into a multitude of arts and medicines from diverse cultures across the globe. From traditional Chinese medicine to the wisdom of Yoga, from the transformative power of Meditation to the profound teachings of Zen, and from the healing practices of Mapuche and Lakota medicine, each path enriched our understanding and expanded our horizons.

second vision quest france

Through this profound journey, we discovered the beauty and wisdom that lie in the diverse traditions and practices we encountered. Our commitment to personal growth, well-being, and inner transformation became the driving force behind our endeavor to create a nurturing and transformative space for all who seek a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.

our trip to japan

This exploration was not just about acquiring knowledge but also about embracing a holistic approach to life. We recognized the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and we sought to integrate these dimensions in our own lives and share them with others.

Experience the power of holistic practices, embrace the beauty of nature, and awaken your true potential at Daishizen retreat center

From humble beginnings in Chili to a transformative journey through France, we have finally found our home in Costa Rica.

Now, after 15 years, our dream has become a reality with the acquisition of 48 hectares of tropical forest in Costa Rica.

We invite you to join us at Daishizen Retreat Center, where you can embark on a transformative journey, embracing holistic practices and finding your inner peace. Through yoga, Aikido, meditation, ancient ceremonies, healing therapies, and diverse workshops, we strive to create a nurturing and transformative space for all who seek a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.

Daishizen retreat center is the perfect place to disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with yourself

We are all one… we are Daishizen. Welcome to our hidden gem nestled in the lush rainforest of Costa Rica.

Our Dream and Purpose

sky with stars

VISION

We are all one.

Remembering that we are interconnected, different manifestations of the same essence, we move from the illusion of separation to unity, from individualism and competition to sharing and collaboration, from fear to love.

MISSION

To preserve ancestral wisdom and provide spaces and tools for the integral development of each individual, facilitating the discovery of their qualities and potentials. We work towards achieving internal harmony and balance in relation to the world around us.

Daishizen Retreat Center invites you to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind, intimate, and transformative experience, fostering a profound rediscovery of your inner essence through the harmonious embrace of nature and ancient wisdom.

balance on a pile of stones

The essential beliefs of our retreat center

While our philosophy encompasses more than just Eastern culture, we have chosen some Japanese concepts that reflect our spirit, values and everything we do.

shodo by takeda shihan
kanji illustration of daishizen

Daishizen (大自然, grand nature)

It refers to nature in its purest and wildest state. It can be related to the concept of mother nature, Pachamama. It is often used in Japan to refer to breathtaking natural landscapes and ecosystems that have not been significantly disturbed by human activity.

It also represents a philosophy that values harmony between humans and nature, and promotes the conservation and protection of the environment, an expression of respect and reverence towards nature and the natural processes that sustain life on Earth.

For us, Daishizen represents the cosmic energy that governs everything, maintaining harmony and manifesting in various forms in this universe. It is a return to our nature, to the respect for the environment and the wisdom of the Earth.

We are all different manifestations of this same energy. We are all divine essence and presence. Our proposal is to change our perspective, shifting from a vision of dominating and exploiting the Earth and its resources to one of collaboration, interconnectedness, and symbiosis to co-evolve, ensuring the well-being of all on this planet. We are all one, we are Daishizen.

kanji illustration of gassho

Gasshō (合掌, palms together, united)

Is a gesture (mudra) of joining the palms of the hands used to express gratitude, greet, acknowledge, or reverence the sacred.

Symbolically, it represents the union between the divine (left hand) and the ego (right hand).

When we recognize ourselves as spiritual beings, our life becomes a constant dialogue with the divine, a continuous prayer.

This shift in perspective changes our priorities: we no longer focus our attention on material things, but on the spirit; we no longer value what we possess, but who we truly are.

When we unite heaven and earth, spirit and matter, conflict disappears and grace manifests in our lives.

Finding that inner space is our daily mantra at Daishizen Retreat Center.

kanji illustration of kenkou

Kenkou (健康, mental and physical health)

It is used to describe the physical and mental state of a person or to refer to the practice of taking care of and maintaining health. It is of utmost importance for personal development, and within our proposal, we can offer activities for growth and a healthy lifestyle. This involves various aspects of our lives such as nutrition, physical activity, mental and emotional health, social life, and economic stability.

For our essential and spiritual being to emerge and manifest, it is necessary to take care of our body. Our body is our temple and our means of relating in this human experience. Taking care of our body means achieving a balance in our three planes: physical, emotional, and mental. This means working on ourselves, recognizing where we can improve and working on it.

It is pointless to spend 1000 hours in practice if, on the other hand, we do not take care of our being. In order for the fruits to manifest, we must receive the teachings with the least amount of distractions possible. At Daishizen Retreat Center, we have designed the best programs to find physical, mental, and emotional balance to enhance your experience and reveal your true potential.

kanji illustration of shizen

Shizen (自然, nature, wild nature)

It is associated with the idea of wild, spontaneous nature in harmony with human beings. We live in a fast-paced world, bombarded by information. We boast about being in an interconnected era, but we have forgotten the connection with ourselves and nature.

Spending time in nature improves physical and mental health and offers numerous benefits such as stress reduction, mood enhancement, lower blood pressure, and improved immune system function. We cannot return to nature because we have never been separated from it; we just need a space to remember.

To remember that we are children of this earth, that we are part of it, and that we can connect with the four elements and the sacredness of nature. Experience a deep understanding of nature as you immerse yourself in our 48-hectare tropical forest sanctuary.

kanji illustration of do

Do (道, path, way)

It is related to the idea of a path or a process of personal growth, which involves not only mastering physical and technical skills, but also practicing ethical and spiritual values such as discipline, humility, honesty, and self-improvement.

In Japanese culture, the word “Do” is used to describe the practice of a specific path or discipline, such as “Judo,” “Aikido,” or “Shodo.” In these cases, the suffix “Do” is added to the name of the discipline to indicate that it is not just a sport or technical practice, but also a practice for personal and spiritual development.

These practices, arts, or disciplines allow us to free ourselves, detach from the limitations of the ego, work on our personality, and everything we have built under our identity. They enable us to access a path of deep knowledge and universal understanding.

These disciplines allow us to observe, recognize, embrace, and embody the infinity that we are and to bring it into action in our practice and everyday life. Daishizen offers different paths, what the elders called “sacred disciplines,” essential paths to walk again as spiritual men and women.

Photo of Zoe from France

Zoe, 26 years old, France

“I discovered an inner strength I never knew I had during the yoga retreat in Costa Rica. The expert guidance, supportive community, and natural beauty showed me a path to inner peace and self-confidence. This experience was a gift I will always cherish! I can’t wait to see you all again next year!”

illustration of a native american tipi

Our community awaits you on social media. Join us and become a part of a tribe dedicated to the adventure of self-discovery

community, brotherhood