Connection, Community, and Magic
Nestled in the Heart of the Earth
Event Overview
A Gathering of Kindred Souls.
In November 2024, The Laughing Orchard opened to a unique group of magical beings who answered the experimental call to gather, share, and create. This was not a typical retreat with a carefully curated schedule aiming for some sort of a metaphysical experience. Instead, it was a space for curious, self-resourced beings — each with their distinct gifts and perspectives — to come together, explore freely, and bring about the mysterious unfolding of what wanted to emerge.
Hosted by Alex (LO founder) and Arian (resident artist), this gathering became a celebration of freedom, connection, exploration, transformation, and the spirit of this valley of volcanic nature. Each day brought spontaneous workshops, conversations from the heart, and sacred, inspired moments.
Retreat Highlights
Together, we experienced:
Participant Reflections
What It Means to Be Here
Join us for the next Collision:
April 2025!
Hosts’ Reviews
Alex
Laughing Orchard showed me that it doesn't want to be a plain old retreat center. The fiery nature of the land and the manifestation energy it brings were calling for something similar-but-different, a sense of openness, a welcoming of creative chaos.
In the two and a half years since I landed here, one thing always worked the best and created the most unforgettable experiences: a gathering of a varied group of people with little or no agenda. So I decided to give this a spin more intentionally, and couldn't be more grateful for what took place in the end.
The Collision Residency was an experiment, it was a question: will this place support a group with a loosely held agenda? Will it provide meaningful synchronicity and wonder for a group of people not beholden to a specific plan? The answer was a resounding "yes!".
As we embodied the fluidity of Water and the freedom of Air, we felt strongly held by the Earth and pushed to explore our personal edges by the Fire. And while it's possible to describe things we did, it's not possible to put into words the essence of the experience: the blessing of connection, friendship and magic. So, more to come...
Arian
While we shared remarkable experiences, it wasn't them that made the experience unforgettable.
The true essence of the retreat was the natural flow that unfolded between us. In this space, without expectation or agenda, we found ourselves relaxing into something deeper. Our nervous systems were allowed to relax, and with that authenticity, curiosity, and some unique flavour of invisible magic began to ease out and enjoy each others’ company. Deep (and sometimes mundane :) ) questions we were carrying surfaced gently, and moments of clarity, connection, and understanding emerged as if by their own design.
What made the experience extraordinary was the way we came together as a group, the unique harmony created by the choir of individuals — each person bringing their unique presence, allowing the group to become something greater than the sum of its parts. It was as though the energy of the land, the decision to surrender structure to the rhythm of each day, and the harmony of the group created a container where each of us could simply be and flow.
In that simplicity, we found something profound — insights, support, unexpected answers, and quiet moments of transformation (and plenty of work time, too) that will stay with us far beyond the retreat. It was a reminder of the beauty that can arise when we trust in what wants to unfold.
The team
Our team consisted of…
Aleksandr Bulkin
LO Founder & Retreat Co-Host
Marta Anula Diniz Fragoso
Ecology & Earth-Care Specialist
Dalit Todtfeld
Chef / Nourishment Specialist
Jonathan Joyfool
Content Magician
Join us for the next Collision:
April 2025!
Photo and Video Gallery
Practices
Nature Adventures
Community
Be a Co-Creator at the Next Collision Retreat:
If these stories and moments resonate with you, we invite you to join us for the next Laughing Orchard Collision Event. Come to experience the beauty of this land, the joy of connection, and the magic that unfolds when we gather