There’s a quiet truth that reveals itself when you live close to nature — that the Earth doesn’t belong to us; we belong to her. Each tide that rises along the Nanaimo coast, each cedar that sways in the wind, each raven call echoing through the forest reminds us of this sacred reciprocity. Sustainability, then, isn’t simply about recycling or eco-choices — it’s about a relationship. It’s how we listen to the land, walk upon it, and give back in gratitude for all that sustains us.
When I moved to Vancouver Island, I began to truly understand what it means to live in rhythm with the Earth. The island itself is a teacher — the ocean humbles you, the forest grounds you, and the mountains remind you of your small but precious place in the great web of life. The tides here have their own intelligence; they move with patience and precision, reminding us to slow down. The moss-covered trees are keepers of memory, showing how decay feeds new life. In this, I’ve learned that stewardship begins with awareness. We cannot protect what we don’t feel connected to.
The Spiritual Roots of Stewardship
In yogic and Buddhist philosophy, Ahimsa — the principle of non-harming — extends to all living beings. It asks us to live gently, to consume mindfully, and to honor the life that supports our own. When we practice Ahimsa, sustainability becomes more than an environmental act — it becomes a spiritual one.
Each mindful breath, each conscious purchase, each moment of gratitude becomes part of our stewardship.
Living on the island, this philosophy finds its daily practice. Whether it’s sourcing vegetables from the Nanaimo farmers’ market, buying handmade pottery from a local artisan in Ladysmith, or using wild-harvested botanicals in our spa treatments, these acts are small prayers for the Earth. Sustainability begins not in the mind, but in the heart — with the willingness to live in harmony.
Creating a Retreat that Breathes with the Land
When I envisioned the Vancouver Island Retreat, I wanted to create more than a getaway — I wanted to build a sanctuary that reflects the island’s natural intelligence. Every choice, from the materials to the experiences we offer, comes from a place of respect and reciprocity.
We’re exploring ways to make the retreat as self-sustaining as possible: using reclaimed wood, solar energy, and local craftsmanship. We’re planning gardens that will feed both body and soul — herbs for teas, lavender for healing, and pollinator plants for the bees and butterflies who share this land with us.
Wellness here is not just personal — it’s ecological. It’s the understanding that when we care for the Earth, she nourishes us in return. Guests might begin their mornings with yoga overlooking the ocean, followed by forest bathing in the nearby trails, or learning to make natural balms and apothecary blends from native plants. Evenings might end with journaling by candlelight, listening to the rhythm of crickets and waves. Every experience invites connection — to self, to others, and to the land itself.
Community and Connection
True stewardship blossoms through community. On Vancouver Island, I’ve met people who embody this so beautifully — farmers who nurture the soil with love, artists who repurpose driftwood into sculptures, and healers who blend ancient practices with modern sustainability.
These are the kinds of people I want to bring into our retreat programs — storytellers, gardeners, conservationists, and local knowledge keepers — each sharing their wisdom in ways that inspire guests to live more consciously when they return home.
When we gather in circle — sharing meals made from local produce, listening to the wind move through the arbutus trees — we remember that sustainability is not a burden, but a celebration. A way of living that honors both beauty and responsibility.
A Call to Reconnect
Sustainability and stewardship are not about perfection. They are about returning — to balance, to gratitude, to awareness. Every small action matters: collecting rainwater, composting, reusing materials, choosing handmade over mass-produced. These are quiet revolutions that ripple outward.
The more time I spend here, the more I feel that the island itself holds a message for all of us — that healing the planet and healing ourselves are one and the same. The ocean doesn’t judge, the forest doesn’t rush, the Earth keeps offering her gifts. It’s up to us to listen, to respond with care, and to live as though the next generation depends on it — because it does.
In the end, stewardship is love in action — a daily practice of remembering that we belong to something larger. To live sustainably is to live in devotion to life itself. And on this island, surrounded by sea, cedar, and sky, that devotion feels as natural as breathing.
We love the wilderness of BC and want to continue to share it’s magic with the world for years to come. We are committed to sustainable recreational practices and sharing local resources.
