The Power of Ritual: Nature Vigil — A Three-day, Two-night Immersive Experience

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) invites you to The Power of Ritual: Nature Vigil – a transformative retreat exploring the art of ritual as a path to reconnection. Guided by international teachers and elders from diverse indigenous traditions, this immersive experience is part of a series of two weekend retreats offered in service of restoring connectedness.

At the heart of this work is the invitation to experience porosity: a gentle dissolving of our boundaries so that connectedness can move freely between ourselves, one another and the natural world. Through the practice of nature vigil, we bring down the walls of separation and reawaken our shared aliveness with the more-than-human world.

This gathering – intimate and limited in size – is a rare chance to learn from Colin Campbell, from South Africa, whose life’s work focuses on rekindling the sacred relationship between people, place and the more-than-human world. He is joined by Jhon Kwano from New Guinea, and Andrew McAulay from KFBG. With their support, Colin guides participants through deeply experiential practices that integrate ancestral wisdom with contemporary ritual, helping to repair the fractured threads between human culture and the living cosmos.

Held within the serene surroundings of KFBG, this weekend offers space to connect with like-minded individuals, and to share insights and experiences through shared meals, nurturing silence and facilitated reflection. Participants will be guided to cultivate a deep connection – with themselves, with others and with the Earth itself.

Nature Vigil

The ultimate aim of vigil is to take people into a restored and reconnected relationship with a natural place. In essence this practice aims to help repair lost parts of ourselves that hold crucial knowledge with regard to our 'place' in relation to the rest of the universe.

To vigil is essentially to offer; and in offering, connection is achieved. In vigil we sacrifice our sleep, our meal, our time and our comfort in order to make ourselves vulnerable to the place and thus establish the mutuality of relationship. In addition to this, our vigil may include various practices to facilitate reciprocal connection during our time at the site.

For a process like this we will need preparation that keys us into the specific place. Vigil will happen overnight and preparation includes introductory talks by Colin Campbell and a traditional African Phahla (thanksgiving ceremony).

About the Teachers

Colin Campbell 

As a descendant of Scottish aristocracy, born in Zimbabwe (1963) and trained by some of the most renowned African healers of Southern Africa, Colin Campbell has become known for being a knowledge-bridge between rare pre-industrial African culture and contemporary Western culture.  

As a child, Colin travelled through Africa with his father, Alec Campbell, a celebrated cultural historian and archaeologist. From the age of seven, he was introduced to some of the most powerful African healers and magicians in Botswana, who instantly recognised the boy’s calling as a healer and accepted him as a student. Colin experienced and integrated ancient aspects of traditional African knowledge through the rigorous rituals and training from his teachers. This resulted in a deep understanding of animism and its inextricable connection to the natural world. 

Through his in-depth knowledge of African culture, Jungian psychology and contemporary artistic practice, Colin has cultivated a uniquely authentic personal philosophy that he has developed into wilderness-based practices. His practices aim to take people of all nations into a restored and reconnected relationship with the wider natural world.

Jhon Kwano

As an elder from the Lani tribe in the highlands of New Guinea, Jhon Kwano is from the last generation of his people to receive traditional initiation. He was identified from an early age for the role of Messenger, sharing the message of his tribe with outsiders and reporting back what he has seen in the outside world. He is the only one known to be playing this role outside of Melanesia. As such, he is authorised to represent not only the Lani, but also other cultures in both New Guinea and the rest of Melanesia.

New Guinea is one of the most bio-culturally diverse places on Earth and Jhon’s people still live as their ancestors have for thousands of years, in harmony with nature.

Andrew McAulay

Andrew was born in Hong Kong and educated in England. After spending some time in a meditation centre in his early 20s, he returned to Hong Kong to help transform KFBG’s mission from agricultural aid to nature conservation and holistic education. He has chaired the KFBG Board since 1999 and also chairs the Board of KFBG's sister organisation, Partnerships for Community Development (PCD). Andrew loves to spend time in nature and continues to practice and teach meditation, as well as breathwork. He has also published two books of poetry and most recently, the ‘Little Fish’ storybook.

Event Details

Date: 11 - 13 March 2026 (Wednesday to Friday)

Time: starts at 17:00 on the first day and ends at 17:30 on the last day.

* Participants are expected to be in residence and participate in the entire programme.

Venue: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden & Kadoorie Centre (most sessions and experiential activities)

The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association - Jockey Club Beas River Lodge (Accommodation)

•⁠ ⁠KFBG will arrange a shuttle bus to transport participants between the accommodation site and activity venues at KFBG or Kadoorie Centre during the residential retreat.

Language: English

Target Group: Aged 18 and above

Total Fee

• Course Fee: HK$3,400

  The course fee includes: activities, vegetarian meals, logistic arrangements during the retreat.

• Accommodation (2 nights): from HK$800 (varies by room type)

  *For more information about the rooms, please click HERE

Application: CLICK HERE

• To apply for this residential retreat, please complete the enrolment form and pay the course fee as a deposit.

• The retreat team will carefully review and consider all applications to ensure a diverse and cohesive experience for all participants. We will notify you of your enrolment result within 10 days. 

• The deposit fee is non-refundable unless your application is declined.

Enquiry

Please email to Ms Jamie Ngai at jamie.ngai@kfbg.org, or Ms Natalie Ng at natalie.ng@kfbg.org 

Terms & Conditions

Upon submission of your application and payment, you are deemed to have accepted all Terms and Regulations of this retreat, and the guidelines below:

Kadoorie Centre Rules and Regulations 

KFBG Visitor Guidelines

In case of any dispute, the organiser has the right to the final decision.