A sense emerges when you set foot on the Manitou land. Four decades of mindful stewardship has brought not just conservation, but intention you can feel. The staggeringly complex web of life we take in from all around is a mirror to what we observe in ourselves. Our interactions with the land create a reciprocating flow that heals.

“When you wake up (to) see that the Earth is not just the environment,
​the Earth is us, you touch the nature of Interbeing…
and have real communication with the Earth. In that kind of relationship,
you will have the love, strength and awakening you need to change your life.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh 

What's Out There

Nine miles of trails connect sacred sites, two labyrinths, seasonal water flows, rock formations and ledges embraced by myriad tree species.

Sacred sites and places of energetic alignment

The Hogan, 4-season gathering place with benches & woodstove

The Gatehouse, indoor sanctuary with guest rooms, meeting space & library

Profusion of Spring Lady Slippers always delight

Forest Wisdom

Manitou has long embraced the complex interdependencies we share with healthy forests. Renowned forest ecologist Tom Wessels has revealed the forest-scape in its infinite expressions.  And forest science has opened up the world of mycelial threads—the underground network of life and communication used by trees to share information and nutrients. The metaphor of these vast root systems displays our own hidden connections to Nature, and to one another.

Finding the Mother Tree author Suzanne Simard offers lyrical insight to these inspiring beings and how we can best serve them. In its trailer, the book depicts a society in which trees stay in touch with neighbors, keep abreast of goings-on, and help each other out. Her experience includes how trees have helped her deal with personal problems, most notably a cancer diagnosis, and support her healing.

​Click on the arrow in the stream image to see a video taken on the land. 

"It's less about how to save the trees than how the trees can save us.” —Suzanne Simard

Finding Ourselves

With the land as host and teacher, an evolving range of learning and experiential opportunities brings stillness to our busy minds, and extends boundaries to increased awareness and connection to the things we find important. Mindfulness and forest presence are portals to opportunities for opening to transformation.

Ascending to new heights

“Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you are not lost. Wherever you are is called ‘here’. And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, and ask permission to know it and be known.” —David Wagoner