WHO ARE WE
Meaningful travel experiences that offer participants the opportunity to maximize their limited vacation time by combining vacations with growth activities, engaging adventures, and a nurturing supportive community.
Founded by former Buddhist monk Seth Monk and positive psychology coach Derek Wild, Spirit Monkeys brings a well rounded alternative to how we can use our free time and truly check off all of our boxes in a reasonably priced, one-shot, full human experience.
Spirit Monkeys is founded on the principles of true presence, the transformational power of authentic connection, laughing our asses off and the deep call to fully enjoy our time here on Earth. Spirit Monkeys is a caring and dynamic endeavor that meets multiple needs in a synergistic blend of fun, friends, and focus.
Through smiles and tears, laughs and cries, snowy mountains and tropical beaches, distant lands and inner journeys, Spirit Monkeys wants for you the same things you want for yourself... the chance to be fully alive.
AAAOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
SETH MONK
HEALER
We are all just walking each other home - Ram Dass
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Seth Monk was born and raised in Andover, Massachusetts. At the age of 18, he became a disciple of a Vietnamese Zen Master and began practicing meditation formally. After graduating from University, Seth travelled to Germany where, in 2005, he ordained as a Buddhist monk and lived for 8 years in a monastery.
During his ordained years, he worked in a Chinese Medicine clinic and began guiding students in their spiritual practice. Over the years, Seth started teaching prolifically, he founded various meditation groups, led retreats around the world, and was able to practice with some of the famous Buddhist masters of our time, including His Holiness XIV Dalai Lama, Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, Tenzin Palmo, and Ajahn Brahm.
After leaving the monastery in 2014, Seth travelled to India where he continued his training in various monasteries, mountains, caves, and holy sites, before retreating to a Forest monastery in Perth, Australia.
Circling back to India for another 8 months, Seth was initiated into ancient Indian Siddha Healing lineage while residing in the Tibetan community of Dharamsala.
Upon returning to America, Seth began responding to the social and emotional needs of students, treating stress and behavioral problems directly through dialogue and leading guided meditation in the classroom. He began teaching in various schools, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and leading Educators Retreat from the Andover Public School system.
Seth also holds weekly Siddha Healing events and leads trips to India.
"We remember who we are by releasing what we are not. We're all in this together, and the simple realization of our shared human is the key to compassion, communication and growth."
DEREK WILD
GUIDE
Tap into your wacky wild self, make an impact being who YOU love, and prepare to howl loudly.
Derek is a Positive Psychology Coach, founder of Flourishing Tribe positive psychology adventure retreats, and leader of Bold Badasses Men's Groups.
Derek's childhood comprised of running through the forest making forts and studying wildlife. His fascination for understanding nature and animals has expanded into his passion for studying the ways of the universe, and possibly the most fascinating animals, people.
Receiving his Applied Positive Psychology Certification through the Flourishing Center, Derek has studied the science behind human well-being. He is a certified Positive Psychology Coach and a personal development junkie studying under Tony Robbins, as a Mastery University graduate. Derek works as a crew member at Tony Robbins events volunteering his time to give back to the inspiring community that helped him grow so much. Derek also volunteers with local support groups for youths struggling with depression and addictions and has had a passionate for helping others throughout his life as special needs soccer coach for 8 years and volunteering with special needs high school graduates.
The former Director of The Adventure Program at a YMCA camp, where he ran a high ropes course, taught kayaking, canoeing, and wilderness survival, Derek brings his experience facilitating team building and pushing people past their limiting beliefs.
Derek is also a professional User Experience Designer with 10 years of experience solving puzzling of fundamental interconnectedness and designing optimal experiences for small start ups to fortune 500 companies such as Google, Apple, Nike, Target, Marriott, Home Depot, Universal Studios and various hospitals and universities such as Harvard Medical School.
"My goal is to create a magical experience for you to explore who your heart is calling you to be and for you to design a life experience congruent with your authentic values."
