The Sacred Lotus Retreat
The Sanctuary
An Ecosystem Designed for Transformation
The Sacred Lotus Retreat is an 8-acre sanctuary in Great Falls, Virginia. This isn’t just a beautiful setting—it’s a carefully curated ecosystem where every element supports your journey toward authentic alignment.
Meet our Animals
Horses: Gabriel and Phoenix
Gabriel is a Percheron draft cross who made his way to us from Amish country — apparently, he wasn't quite fast enough pulling the buggy. Their loss, and absolutely our gain. Gabriel is a gentle giant in every sense — playful, curious, and endlessly patient. He has a special affinity for children, meeting them with a quiet steadiness that instantly puts even the most hesitant little ones at ease. He will quietly follow you wherever you go, as if he simply wants to be near, and takes care of his riders with a tenderness that is unmistakably intentional. Off the trail, Gabriel has opinions — and he is not shy about expressing them. He occupies the prized stall with a view directly into the tack room, a position he takes full advantage of. When he decides it is time for attention, a treat, or a good scratch, he will bring one enormous hoof down with the kind of authority that suggests the request is not entirely optional. He is equally committed to playtime and will let you know, with considerable enthusiasm, when he feels you have been neglecting your duties. Gabriel is proof that the slow ones are often the most worth keeping.
Phoenix is our beloved round pony who lives life with one clear philosophy: more food, more treats, more head scratches. He is expressive, comedic, and completely unfiltered — always ready with a funny face or an unexpected noise just to make you laugh. He lets Stella, my daughter, hop on bareback and ride wherever the mood takes them. Phoenix reminds you not to take life too seriously. What not everyone sees right away is the depth beneath the comedy. Phoenix took his time settling in at Sacred Lotus — arriving with a quiet guardedness that asked to be respected rather than rushed. He didn't give his trust easily, and we didn't ask him to. We simply waited and let him lead. What emerged on the other side of that patience is something truly special. Once Phoenix loves and trusts you — and there is no shortcut to earning either — he becomes the surest, most devoted presence on the property. His bond with Stella says it all. Over 1,000 pounds of hard-won, wholehearted softness. He will make you laugh every single day. And when he decides you have earned his heart, he will also make you feel like the safest, luckiest person alive.
Dogs: Axel and Rose
Axel and Rose are the originals—the heartbeat of Sacred Lotus since the very beginning. As brother and sister, they move through the property as a team: watching over the flock, keeping the foxes at bay, and occasionally deciding that a good chase is exactly what everyone needs. They are protectors, playmates, and without question, two of the most affectionate souls on the land. Rose is the matriarch in every sense. When she isn't giving Axel his daily instructions, she is mothering every baby on the property with a devotion that is both fierce and tender. Axel, for his part, is deeply charming—particularly in the moments when there is no food nearby to distract him.
Cats: Ginger and Spice
Ginger and Spice are, yes, also brother and sister—a pattern that apparently defines Sacred Lotus. They arrived with the very noble job title of barn cats. What followed was a swift and complete career pivot. Between Spice's repeated tree-climbing emergencies that required actual rescue operations and their mutual decision to befriend the mice rather than catch them, it became clear that barn life was not their calling. They are now proudly full-time house cats with one primary occupation: irritating Axel.
Spice's love language is the strategic trip—he will walk directly across your path at any moment if it means receiving cuddles. Ginger, naturally, rules Spice with quiet authority and has absolutely no notes about any of this.
The Pod Squad
The Pod Squad was not assembled—it was chosen. Charlie, Dolly, and the goats found each other slowly, organically, and on their own terms. And what emerged is one of the most tender and entertaining dynamics on the entire property. When the world feels uncertain, they move as one. Together they form an instinctive safety triangle, with Charlie anchoring the helm—steady, watchful, and unwavering as always. No threat goes unnoticed. No member is left unprotected.
And when the world feels safe? Pure chaos in the best possible way. The baas, eee-awws, and meehhs layer into a symphony that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Play fighting breaks out without warning. Zoomies happen. Dignity is optional. They love each other hard. And they will absolutely make you laugh every single day.
Charlie is the sweetest mini donkey you will ever meet—and her eee-awws will make you laugh, then inexplicably tear up, because somehow they carry both joy and soul in equal measure. She is the matriarch and anchor of the pod squad—steady, watchful, and unwavering in her role as protector. No predator approaches on her watch. In the field, she will quietly saunter over and position herself right beside you like a shadow, asking for nothing more than a gentle face scratch. Her mouth is impossibly soft when she takes a treat—as if she wants you to know she receives kindness the same way she gives it. And then there is dinnertime. Charlie always lets everyone go ahead of her to the barn—not out of timidity, but because she is saving the best for last. What follows can only be described as the most joyful display on the property: a full-speed, short-legged donkey sprint, complete with bucks, kicks, and zoomies around the barn that will make you question everything you thought you knew about happiness. Charlie doesn't just belong to Sacred Lotus. She is Sacred Lotus.
Sheep
Dolly is second in command of the Pod Squad and takes that role very seriously. She will square up with any goat who needs a reminder of the social order—purely for fun—and will face down anyone who dares threaten her herd without a second thought. Her signature move is a stomp so precise and deliberate it somehow manages to be both adorable and completely intimidating. Dolly is also deeply convinced she is a dog. Axel agrees. The two share a special bond that we will simply describe as very close and leave it at that. What Dolly cannot seem to understand—no matter how many times it has been explained—is why she does not live in the house. She would be an excellent housemate. She has made her case repeatedly. The matter, in her opinion, remains unresolved.
Goats
Johnny Cash arrived with a “fro” and has been bringing the comedy ever since. He is exactly as wild and soulful as his namesake suggests. Brownie is the quiet one—shy, gentle, and impossibly sweet. The kind of presence that earns your trust slowly and then holds it completely. He has also mastered the art of the fence jump, slipping out with such calm nonchalance you almost miss it entirely. Sebastian is the most openly affectionate of the herd and also the most unabashedly dramatic. He will pour love onto you without hesitation—but if he feels you haven't given him adequate attention, he will turn and offer you the cold shoulder with the conviction of someone who has been genuinely wronged. He is also a dedicated fence jumper, though his escapes feel considerably less graceful and considerably more intentional than Brownie's.
Baby Billy held the title of youngest on the property—until Opal had other plans. Opal surprised us all with the birth of Nessa—and there are simply no words for what it means to witness a baby goat come into the world at Sacred Lotus. The entire herd gathered as Nessa arrived, as if they understood the significance of the moment. She has known nothing but love, abundance, and every possible privilege since her first breath. Don't tell Dolly, but Nessa has become a regular house visitor—after her morning sunning and cuddles, of course. Opal has proven to be the most devoted, natural mother—and her dedication has made one thing very clear: we cannot live without more baby goats at Sacred Lotus. She has earned every rule she breaks.
As for capturing any of this on camera — consider it an exercise in humility. What you'll find in our gallery is equal parts blur, backside, and pure unscripted magic. Some things, it turns out, simply refuse to be tamed — and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.
The Coup Crew
The Coup Crew is the affectionate name for the remarkable community that shares the sanctuary's most coveted quarters. Rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks have somehow negotiated—through means entirely their own—a living arrangement that works for everyone involved. They are a living demonstration of conflict resolution, boundaries, and the art of finding common ground. Each species has carved out their space, established their unspoken agreements, and settled into a rhythm of genuine coexistence. That said, the negotiations are ongoing. And the funny moments of "conflict resolution" are frequent, unscripted, and absolutely worth witnessing in person.
Rabbits
Bella is the original—a Holland Lop and the quiet founding member of what has become a very full rabbit family. Harley, Dottie, and Biscuit are Mini Rex's who arrived and wasted absolutely no time making themselves at home—or expanding the family. In true Sacred Lotus fashion, they surprised us with 13 babies, because apparently the land has a way of multiplying life in the most unexpected and wonderful ways. Watching baby rabbits from their very first moments—witnessing them grow, find their legs, and begin to hop through the world with complete and total abandon—is the kind of thing that touches something deep in you. It is equal parts soul-stirring and wildly entertaining. Depending on the season, some of the babies will become permanent Sacred Lotus residents while others will find their way to carefully chosen loving homes. One thing is certain—stuffed animals are entirely unnecessary around here. The real thing is better anyway.
Turkeys
Frankie and Winnie are both girls and without question the sweetest birds on the property—and also the second loudest opinion-holders about absolutely everything. Their commentary is constant, expressive, and almost always curiosity-driven. Something is always happening that requires their full vocal assessment. They are protectors, bosses, and surprisingly tender all at once. They keep a watchful eye over the rest of the Coup Crew and make sure everyone stays in line—while simultaneously ensuring their own safety with the same vigilance they extend to others. They also have a very specific and deeply appreciated role in the ecosystem: fly removal. Frankie and Winnie can regularly be found picking flies off Dolly's furry legs with remarkable precision and zero hesitation—a service Dolly accepts with the quiet dignity of someone who has simply come to expect excellent care.
Chickens
Albie, Tuck, Plum, Ruby, Cinnamon 1 & 2, and Pepper 1 & 2 — our girls are sweet, adventurous, and deeply committed to keeping us on our toes. Their favorite game is hiding their eggs in the most creative and unexpected locations, turning every morning into a small treasure hunt across the barn. Together with the turkeys and ducks, they are among the most generous contributors to the Sacred Lotus ecosystem—producing an egg supply that we lovingly share with our community, because abundance here was never meant to be kept to ourselves. Their relationship with the land goes even deeper. As they scratch and forage, they quietly support the decomposition process that keeps the soil rich, living, and endlessly giving—a small but essential act of reciprocity between creature and earth. We also have a few new arrivals—just days old and already full of wonder. Names will come when the time is right, when their personalities surface and tell us exactly who they are.
Ducks
Bash, Dream, and Perry are the entertainers of Sacred Lotus—and they know it. Their quacks, waddles, and daily swimming adventures bring a levity to the property that is completely their own. Every morning they compete with Charlie for the title of loudest greeting, announcing the start of the day with an enthusiasm that makes it impossible not to smile. They will absolutely pretend they want nothing to do with being held. Do not believe them. When the mood strikes, they waddle and fly their way down to the stream for their daily swimming ritual—splashing, gliding, and living their fullest duck lives beneath the open sky. As for what comes next—one boy, two girls, and a piece of land that has always had a way of welcoming new life exactly when it's meant to arrive. At Sacred Lotus, the story is always still unfolding. And there is always room for more love!
The Harmonious Ecosystem
Now that you know them—Gabriel and Phoenix, The Pod Squad, The Coup Crew, Axel and Rose, Ginger and Spice—you can see what we mean when we say this is not just a property. It is a living, breathing ecosystem where every being plays a purposeful role.
The garden feeds the animals a whole foods diet. The horses fertilize the fields that sustain them. The Pod Squad keeps watch over their corner of the land. Johnny Cash, Brownie, and Sebastian manage the weeds. Opal and Nessa rule our hearts. Frankie and Winnie watch over the chickens. Axel and Rose keep the foxes at bay. Bash, Dream, and Perry glide between the stream and the pond. Ginger and Spice—well, they keep everyone humble, particularly Axel.
What You'll Experience
Grounding in Nature
Walking trails, meditation spaces, and writing nooks where you can reconnect with presence and stillness.
Exclusive Access
During your coaching commitment, you have access to the property during specified hours throughout the week and on weekends. Come to sit in silence, journal, move through space with intention, observe the ecosystem, or simply rest.
Animal Wisdom
Interaction with animals who teach trust, authenticity, and what it means to simply be. Their presence reflects back your own patterns and possibilities.
A Living Mirror
Every element—the animals, the land, the rhythm of the seasons—becomes part of your transformation. This is where you practice coming home to yourself before returning to your daily life.
