Why did I create The God Mode Retreat?

The real reason behind my upcoming 5-day retreat in Bali.

Author

James Xander
June 06, 2025

Hey cosmic soul,

Recently my friend Zhi asked me what led me to create my upcoming God Mode Retreat. Interestingly, this question had come up in a few other conversations I’ve had. It’s a powerful reminder that the ‘why’ is often more important than the ‘what’.

Let me give you two ‘obvious’ reasons, followed by a deeper reason.

First, the opportunity to bring together a group of dedicated souls and truth seekers and go deep into our personal growth for 5 days has been on my mind for awhile. In some ways, it’s a natural continuation of the online container I’ve built with my course, Unlock God Mode.

Inside the God Mode Portal, we’ve been having meditation calls, mastermind calls, workshops with guest speakers, and opportunities for members to dive deep into their truth and uplevel to the 2.0 version of themselves. Bringing that to an in-person container feels like a natural next step for me.

On top of that, including a psilocybin ceremony as part of this retreat, in a safe, intentional container, is something that’s deeply meaningful to me. I’ve been exploring psychedelics for many years, and the opportunity to bring the magic of these cosmic teachers to you is very exciting. I’ll be working together with my incredible friend Theo to facilitate this part of the retreat. It’s going to be epic.

Before the mushroom ceremony, we’ll have two full days to understand where you’re currently at, what might be blocking you, and what the next chapter of your life looks like for you. Then on day 3, you’ll experience a profound deep mushroom journey, guided by me and Theo. After our sacred ceremony, we’re going to have 2 days to truly integrate this experience – this is just as important as the ceremony itself, and it’s a part of the experience that can’t be overlooked.

Personal growth. Connection with beautiful souls. Mushrooms and cosmic explorations. The sacred land of Bali. Creating unforgettable experiences and memories. All of these intentions went into the creation of The God Mode Retreat.

But there was one more aspect… a crucial experience that the Universe led me to, so that I could put the final puzzle pieces of The God Mode Retreat together.

In October 2024, I decided to attend Danny Miranda’s “Be Light” retreat in Austin, TX. I had no idea what I had signed up for (Danny refused to reveal any of the itinerary), but something in me just told me I had to be there.

So against all of my ego’s protests, I packed up my bags and flew all the way from Bali to attend the retreat. I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that I felt a deep connection to Danny’s work and presence, and the values by which he lived. And a deep knowing that something powerful was going to happen at the retreat.

At some point before the retreat, Danny told me (and I’m paraphrasing here): “You’re going to go as deep as you decide to in this retreat.” Meaning, to the degree that I was going to be willing to be vulnerable and share my truth and face my truth… to that degree I would experience changes. I made a commitment to myself then & there to play full out.

At the retreat, Danny took away our phones. For the next 4 days, we were in a tech-free zone. He guided us through daily meditations, journaling prompts, and powerful exercises that connected us to our truth, to the core of our being, and to each other.

There were no fancy excursions as part of the retreat. No guest speakers. No superfluous extras. Simply presence. Connection. Opportunities to dive deep into one’s truth, fears, dreams. Deep conversation. A deep sense of being seen and being understood.

There were also no psychedelics involved. Yet the whole weekend felt psychedelic – in the sense that, like psychedelics, the retreat revealed layers of truth in all of the attendees.

I was blown away by what Danny had created in his container. You see, it wasn’t the itinerary that created the ‘magic’. It wasn’t a specific workshop or exercise. It was the experience as a whole – the depth and the safety and the intimacy that was created in the retreat – that allowed people to open up, feel seen, face their shadows, and connect with themselves.

It set the bar very very high for me for what I want to create in my own retreat. And it remains to this day a huge part of the inspiration behind The God Mode Retreat – to create, in my own unique way, with my own psychedelic twist, an experience of truth, connection, love, safety, and understanding.

I’m immensely grateful to Danny. Without him, there might not be a God Mode Retreat – or at least, not to the standard & the frequency that I’m aiming for.

If you want to hear a podcast we recorded directly after his retreat, listen to episode #40.

And if you are ready to embark on a journey to the depths of your soul… if you are feeling the nudge to explore your edges, your shadows, your beauty, your truth… if you are ready to experience a God Mode trip into the cosmos… then come to my retreat. You already know if it’s for you. 😉 

Sending you lots of love,

James

✨ The God Mode Retreat

5 days, 4 nights in Manggis, Bali, surrounded by beautiful jungle, ocean, and mountains.

If you've been feeling the pull to shed old layers, meet your next level, and step into your highest alignment—this retreat was created for you.

The God Mode Retreat is a 5-day, 4-night transformational immersion held in the lush, sacred land of Bali. Designed for soul-driven creators, truth seekers, and leaders, this retreat is a space for radical honesty, deep energetic work, sacred ceremony, and meaningful connection.

You’ll leave with a clearer connection to your truth, your purpose, and your power.

✨ About James Xander

James Xander is a psychedelic explorer and spiritual creator helping people unlock higher consciousness, master their mindset, and create their dream reality. He’s the host of The James Xander Trip podcast, creator of Unlock God Mode, and the voice behind Good Morning, Legend — a daily podcast ritual to start your day in alignment.

💠 1:1 Coaching with James

James offers a powerful 3-month private coaching journey for those ready to go all-in on their inner work, embodiment, and evolution. Through deep 1:1 sessions and ongoing support, he helps clients break through resistance, reconnect with their truth, and align their life with their highest vision.

If you’re feeling the pull to work together, reach out.

🔗 Connect with James: