The Higher Haven Retreat Center

15/07/2025

When the world (the greater or your own) feels like it’s spinning out, sometimes you need to take a beat — or several. Bathing oneself in a forest along with mindful observation of nature’s sights, sounds and scents create profoundly peaceful experiences. A simple, ordinary walk coupled with a new awareness practice can lead to extraordinary discoveries — as when we crossed paths with Crown Tipped Coral of the Woods (identified, collected and cooked!) If you’re ready to drop in and experience ancient, mindful practices that draw upon nature’s restorative power, claim your spot this Friday at our Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat (NSMR)Weekend. But if, for now, you’re caught in that summer spin, watch for our upcoming Fall schedule, along with Retreats all the way into 2026 to help plan your therapeutic retreat from the racket of the modern world. Aho Matakuye O'yasin! Toksha https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/spring-noble-silence-meditation-retreat-2024-r8c5y-93r23

27/06/2025

Higher Haven is a magical place. For me, it was so life affirming, having spun off-path a few times, I’m certainly back on the correct path now. I did some research, and was utterly shocked when I realized the retreat would cover all lodging and meals, in addition to the amazing guidance and meditation sessions. Since this was my first retreat, I had some uncertainty, so I reached out, and the message back was so sincere, I knew that I had chosen well.

Life hit the proverbial fan prior, and I thought I might not make it, at least for the start, but Paul was so accommodating and reassuring. I finally arrived, and when I did, my fellow retreatants welcomed me, showing me around the amazing house that would be our home for the night. It was breathtaking, set in the deep woods. Within minutes, we set out on deep wooded trails with springs and rivers. I was immersed in nature, and it was an amazing chance to feel so at home, far away from home. The food was beyond words, but if I had to choose one, it’d be sensational. You could taste the love & care.

Since I arrived late, Paul even rearranged the schedule! I wasn't sure what to expect, but the teaching surpassed any expectation of any previous meditation/yoga instructor I’ve ever had. It was an amazing mix of learning, meditating, sharing stories, giving examples, walking and chanting. I've never been able to connect with myself so deeply and now have such a stronger, deeper understanding of spirituality and meditation. It was honestly life affirming. If you're looking into The Higher Haven, do yourself and everyone around you a favor: just book it. You won’t regret it. In fact, you will walk away refreshed and renewed. Paul and The Higher Haven are a blessing. This is the real deal. Go! (To our upcoming Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat Weekend).
https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/spring-noble-silence-meditation-retreat-2024-r8c5y-93r23

10/06/2025

“… In the face of all of life’s immense challenges, I was actively searching for a Reset Button. I've practiced and taught yoga for many years, so my initial instinct was to search for yoga retreats since those were familiar to me. However, I stumbled upon The Way of the Contrary at the Higher Haven and felt a strange calling to attend it instead. I will forever thank my intuition because this retreat experience was unlike anything I had ever encountered, and it was exactly what my body, mind, and soul needed. To be honest, I wish it had lasted much longer.

I had some realizations prior, and throughout the Ceremony the feelings of forgiveness, relief, compassion, and closure washed over me. "Renewal" is the best word I can use to describe it. One added bonus that I was completely taken aback by was that the chronic pain in my neck and shoulder was completely gone after the Ceremony. I am writing this nearly two weeks later, and I'm elated to report that the pain has not returned.

Logistically, Paul and his team were amazing at making us all feel at home on the grounds and in the retreat center. The place was clean, comfortable, and the trails were lovely and very well marked. Getting to spend quiet time alone in nature is always a bonus, and it was especially sweet for spending time introspecting after the ceremony. All-in-all, if you are even slightly on the fence or feel any apprehension about attending this retreat, please take it from me: GO. You won’t regret it."-KL Spend a few days Doing Nothing on retreat & you too, will discover the resilience, reflection & renewal of touching your own True Nature. https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/spring-noble-silence-meditation-retreat-2024-r8c5y-93r23-pthlk

01/05/2025

Happy May! Having kicked off the 2025 Spring Retreat Season, we’re looking forward to our next gathering, a very special Mindfulness + Meditation 10 afternoon class the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weeekend, a two-for-one offering in which registered participants can bring their Moms, and registered Moms can bring a daughter or son. We’re offering a similar special for Father’s Day weekend, along with monthly Ceremony, our quarterly Noble Silence Retreats and other summer offerings up for registration soon. If the outside world appears chaotic and crazy, perhaps it's time to look deeper within. Hope to see you! https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/meditation-and-mindfulness-august-2022-pzx5a-tgspw

31/03/2025

Spring (Xuân) has returned as have we from a long, cold, not-so-lonely Winter, and here comes the Sun — our 2025 Retreat Season — kicking off w/late April’s Spring Noble Silence Meditation Retreat (NSMR) Weekend, monthly Ceremonies, Dark Sky Events, Nature Walks, classes and more. Happy Year of the Snake 2025 & see you soon! Hẹn gặp lại + Toksha! https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/spring-noble-silence-meditation-retreat-2024-r8c5yToksha

16/12/2024

30/09/2024

“The Noble Silence Fall Meditation Retreat at Higher Haven is truly life changing. I haven't felt so at peace in literally decades…if ever! The lessons, walks, meditations, teacher, Fire Ceremony, & gorgeous environment all create a unique and loving experience. I'll be returning no doubt for other events & am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity”-RS. This very same opportunity is yours for the non-grasping, a life-altering weekend away coming up in just a few weeks, with just a few seats left. If it's high time to heal, transform and fly away free... Please join us! https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/fall-noble-silence-2024

17/09/2024

We enjoyed a sold-out Workshop Saturday with The Mushroom Maestro, Anthony Michael Blowers (appropriately rhymes with wildflowers) the guy who puts fun back into fungus finding. Tonight, we’re taking in the partial lunar eclipse with our first Dark Sky Event, looking forward to our Yoga + Meditation weekend, and will be headed back into Noble Silence October 11th-13th. It’s all happening on our Retreats/Calendar page – https://www.higherhaven.com/retreatscalendar - have a look & we’ll see you soon! Toksha

08/09/2024

We kicked off the Fall '24 season with a sublime Meditation + Mindfulness 101 class, our singular sweep over and tranquil taste of the benefits of becoming a true practitioner. We’ll do it again next month, but now look forward to the upcoming visit of our Mushroom Maestro, the mighty Anthony Michael Blowers — appropriately rhymes with Flowers — who'll share his adept knowledge of both the natural and culinary worlds, leading a joyous Sat. 9/14 walk + talk exploring the edible wonders of the woods. All our expanding classes, workshops & retreats are easily found & open for registration on our Retreats/Calendar page https://www.higherhaven.com/retreatscalendar Have a Look-See you soon! ❤️‍🩹🙏💖

23/08/2024

We're loving the last of Summer but psyched for our upcoming Fall Retreats + Workshops, esp. with Anthony Michael Blowers, the guy who puts fun into fungus foraging, back in the House and out on the Trails on Saturday, September 14th from 1 - 6 p.m. Hope to see you soon! 🍄 https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/fall-foraging-workshop-2024

25/07/2024

Our Stoke is incredibly high that our mighty Mycologist and local Naturalist Anthony Michael Blowers emerged from his wooded abode to take us on a Private Walk on our Sacred Land. Like an Awareness Practice, we discovered things previously unknown, right in our front yard! We're planning a great Fall Forage Event with details to come, but in the meantime, there's still room left at our Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat Wkend (NSMR). Hope to see you, and if not, later this Fall at Tony's gig or our Fall NMSR, from Friday, October 11th to Sunday October 13th. Hope everyone is enjoying a Happy, Freedom-filled Summer!!! Toksha https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/summer-noble-silence-24

12/07/2024

Testimonial: 5 Gold Stars for The Higher Haven Retreat Center ***** "I highly recommend The Higher Haven to any one or any group seeking a stunningly beautiful, deeply relaxing getaway. Paul Sarkes Tootalian is an amazing healer who's created a magical space, all within a beautiful, nature-filled landscape, where even the accommodations were simple yet perfect. This retreat center is 'The Real Deal,' as we worked with Paul, who lead our clan of thirteen men in an indigenous, spiritual purification Ceremony, teaching us traditional songs, sacred gestures and language; it was quite the Experience, and one that I'm very much looking forward to enjoying again this Fall!" -John from Ann Arbor Re: Fall, we'll have the rest of our 2024 schedule up forthwith, with spots still available at our upcoming, life-changing Summer Noble Silence Meditation Retreat. We look forward to being in Ceremony and Sitting with You!
https://www.higherhaven.com/retreats-calendar/summer-noble-silence-24