Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:28/02/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I attended a weekend retreat hosted by this business this past weekend (Feb. 23 - 25). I paid a total of 1400.00 for my daughter and I to attend. The advertised information on ********** (report filed with them as well) and material I received from the business described a very thoughtful, intentional, ceremonial weekend workshop (please see attached material). I have several concerns around the skillset of the facilitator and owner of the business (Kasia).
  
  Kasia did not facilitate the event as she advertised, many of the offerings described in the advertisement did not happen or were offered at a substandard level. The schedule was not followed. The food preparation/service was substandard in terms of ** **** **** standards. The business provided and encouraged participants to consume *********** (premade chocolate mushroom truffles - **********************) with little to no concern regarding safety/***** considerations. We did not partake and I was concerned for the well-being of the participants who did as the organizers seemed very unclear about the strength and dosage of the truffles.
  
  Kasia’s partner, *****, did all the cooking and provided the premade mushroom truffles which he makes himself. The focus of the weekend was to celebrate and honour the full moon, not consume recreational mushrooms. I have contacted the ****** as well as I am not certain if they are aware of what was happening on their property.
  
  At the end of the weekend, Kasia invited all the participants to reach out to her if they wanted to have a conversation about what had happened over the weekend. I reached out to her when I arrived home. My intention was to offer her feedback and let her know that I would be requesting a partial refund as I did not feel that she delivered on her advertised information on what the weekend would be. She escalated the conversation very quickly and was not willing to talk with me in a timely manner or in good faith. She immediately became defensive and claimed I had gotten my money’s worth and that she would involve her ***** team. I encouraged her to have her “***** team” contact me as I felt that would be more effective than dealing with her. To date, I have not heard from said team.
  
  I have a record of the detailed text exchange and am happy to share that (in full) if required. At several points throughout the weekend Kasia admitted that this was her “first retreat and she did not really know what she was doing”.
  
  My daughter is eight months pregnant and this retreat was intended to be very special for us as a family. This is my daughter’s first child and my first grandchild. My focus was on my daughter and making sure she enjoyed her time. My daughter and I did stay for the entire weekend. We did consume food and we did enjoy the crystal bowl sound sessions Kasia performed. The location was quite lovely and we enjoyed the setting. On Saturday we were left alone in the house for over four hours while the group left for a “forest bathing”. We enjoyed our one-on-one time. We did everything we could do make the best of a very awkward and uncomfortable situation, including making our own lunch on Saturday. This particuar ****** rents (entire house) for about $500.00 per night. Kasia added minimal value to the weekend, certainly no where near to what she advertised.
  
  I originally requested a portion ($400.00) of what I paid as I thought this was fair. I was not trying to be unreasonable, and I wanted her to acknowledge that she can not advertise things she is not able to provide. At this point in the journey, I would like to receive a FULL refund as she has made this so difficult for me.
  
  Here is a small portion of the text message exchange in which I address a good number (not all) of my concerns to no avail/response/acknowledgement:
  
  …And, please take note that I am acutely aware that I am not the only person who feels this way.
  And, I am more than happy to escalate this situation, if that’s what needs to happen.
  I strongly suggest that you take a pause, a deep breath and work with me and be realistic about what actually happened over the weekend.
  You admitted that this was your first retreat and that you had no idea what you were doing.
  This was very clear from the moment we arrived on the property.
  My daughter and I enjoyed many aspects of our weekend.
  The location, the sound baths, some of the food, the ocean and some of the other guests were delightful.
  However, let’s be crystal clear, this was NOT an intentional, ceremonial retreat as you advertised.
  This was a casual weekend gathering for you and a few folks who know you and your work as a sound bath facilitator in Vancouver.
  That’s it.
  Your partner provided the food and was nurturing. I believe he did his best to support in the ways he could.
  You did NOT facilitate any of the experiences you promised would occur nor did you guide the group in any type of *********** way.
  I paid for that experience and I did not receive it.
  You will compensate me for the lack of *********** facilitation as was advertised and promised.
  I suggest you give this deep consideration before we have our conversation tomorrow.
  I am trying to be fair and you need to acknowledge your limitations and failure to deliver what you advertised and I paid for.
  You need to be realistic about what you are promising people and get really clear about what your skill set is before you present yourself as a workshop facilitator.
  At this point in your journey, with all due respect, you are absolutely not a workshop facilitator.
  You are a sound bath facilitator, you are absolutely not able to hold space for a group of people who came together for the type of experience you advertised.
  What happened over the weekend was not facilitated, intentional, ceremonial or organized.
  You cannot simply sit by a fire and read a script off your phone and call it a full moon ceremony.
  Nor does speaking about tarot for less than 20 minutes in a very superficial way constitute any kind of a tarot “workshop” or divination conversation of any kind.
  The food was not plant-based as was advertised.
  There was no Forest bathing, it was simply a hike up to the falls.
  We were left alone on the property for 4 1/2 half hours while the agenda promised lunch, quiet time and an acupuncturist.
  The agenda was completely meaningless.
  There was no lunch served on Saturday.
  We had to make our own coffee on two separate occasions and rummage for food on Saturday while you went shopping for more food.
  Upon our arrival you were actually trying to store your personal items in the room that I paid for which was completely outrageous/inappropriate.
  The first impression was not a good one Kasia, not a good one at all.
  You did not even properly welcome us or anyone.
  There was no intention setting or even a proper introduction circle ceremony for the participants to meet each other.
  And it only continued to disintegrate over the weekend.
  And if you think my daughter and I did not notice that you didn’t even make eye contact with us as you went around the room thanking everybody you’re sadly mistaken.
  Like I said in the beginning, I was open to navigating this with you in a respectful way but your attitude with me trying to set up a face-to-face call and you bringing up the cost of the weekend and how you were trying to work with “my budget” has really not landed well with me - at all.
  Honestly, you have a lot to learn in regards to what it means to host a conversation and/or facilitate a workshop and provide respectful customer service to people who pay good money for what you promised/advertised.
  As a consumer, I trusted your advertisement and our phone conversations.
  I believed your advertisement and at the end of the day it was *****.
  Even your agenda served to be nothing but words on paper.
  You did not attempt to follow the agenda, you did not guide the group in terms of timing or inform us what was happening.
  **** **** *** *********** ****** **** ** **** **** **** **** **** ******** *** *** ******* ** ****** *** ******** 
  Saturday night at the dinner table was extraordinarily awkward.
  People were literally sitting with their plates full of food waiting for you to join us and/or at the very least say something about starting the meal together.
  You were consistently more concerned about setting/clearing the table than you were about your participants.
  I have facilitated hundreds of workshops throughout my life and I have attended hundreds of workshops throughout my life and I have never, ever, experienced anything like what happened on the weekend.
  At every turn, I chose to make the best of it because it was a very special time for my daughter and I.
  I will always hold that part of the weekend in my heart.
  We had a fabulous time with one another because we made a conscious and *********** decision to make the best of a very weird and uncomfortable situation.
  The sound baths were lovely but two sessions of that would have been more than enough.
  I would not have attended had I known that it was going to simply be a sound bathing weekend - which is all that it was.
  At the end of the day, it is not a question of whether or not you will be reimbursing me, it is a question of how we will get to a number that i can live with….
  
  Here is a collection of links to her various advertisements:
  Retreats with KASIA (*****************)
  Full Moon Weekend Retreat in Ladysmith, BC, Ladysmith, February 23 to February 25 | ************
  
  Mystic Arts
  
  And the intake form:
  
  Full Moon Weekend Retreat Intake Form (**********)

  Business Response

  Date: 13/03/2024

  We are so sorry to hear that ******** ******** (********, **** (****)) had such a negative experience during the Full Moon Retreat February 23-25th, 2024.

  While we did read through the complaints, we were a shocked by the accusations and would like to respond.

  The weekend went as advertised. As mentioned in the email, times are subject to change. However, all of the activities listed in the event description were covered. ******** ******** agreed to all of these terms before she purchased her ticket (see attached email correspondence). ******** ******** asked if there was going to be any ***** or alcohol and she was told that chocolate with a very small amount of psilocybin solely for relaxation/meditation use was going to be there as an option, to which she replied "Love that!!! And I just confirmed that we will definitely be attending," (see attached email correspondence). ******** ******** took more than one of the chocolate truffles.

  ******** ******** let me know before purchasing her ticket that she had a very loud machine that she slept with so she needed her own room but could not afford the cost of the large room. I really felt for her situation, so I offered her the largest/nicest room in the house at a sizeable discount. Later, I came to learn after that there was no machine and that she was just trying to get a discount and the nicest accommodations. 

  During the weekend, ******** ******** proceeded to make things very uncomfortable for everyone. ******** ******** would laugh and scoff when I spoke and went out of her way to belittle me and the other organizer. There was a point when I was washing dishes at the sink and she came by and pushed me out of the way.

  Another very uncomfortable example is during one of the sound meditations. ******** ******** sat across from me while I facilitated the sound journey and glared at me the entire time. I was confused and saddened by how ********** I felt by her the entire weekend. I know now that she wanted me to feel ********** and *******.

  There was another point where I was explaining that we were going to leave the moon water bottles out overnight and ******** ******** jumped quickly into my face and said, "What! We're going to leave them out!?". At which point, other participants told her to calm down and that I said we were going to leave them outside overnight and that she should listen to everything I was saying.

  Another complaint was that she was asking when the tarot session was going to take place and complaining that it hadn't happened to other participants. All of the other participants let her know that she was in the room and actually participated herself in the tarot session.

  It is incredibly disheartening that many of the other attendees came to me and said how much she was belittling and insulting me when I was not in the room. I felt very ******* and ******** by ******** ******** all weekend. It was incredibly upsetting as she received the best accommodations out of anyone. Yet she choose to ****** and ***** us all weekend. Now it continues with her sending *********** emails, text messages, writing into BBB, among other ******* (see email attached with other *******). ******** ******** has been *********** to report my small business and write negative reviews wherever she can. I have already had to take down comments she has made on my social posts.

  Some other points to address:

  ******** ******** choose not to go Forest Bathing - I read her complaint but found this confusing as she chose to stay back at the retreat space. We had a great time Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku). I am sorry that she was not sure what Forest Bathing entails. For clarification, this Japanese practice is a process of relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way.

  ******** ******** ordered myself and the other organizers around throughout the weekend, demanding doors to be opened for her. We are confused why one of her complaints was that she needed to make her own coffee. We let everyone know that they had full access to the stocked kitchen and to help themselves at any point. In no way did we advertise or promote room service or that we had a 24 hour kitchen staff. 

  ******** ******** left on Sunday afternoon without saying goodbye to anyone or mentioning any complaints. Soon after, we started receiving *********** text messages and emails stating that, "She was going to get her money back one way or another". Of course, this was incredibly shocking and upsetting. 

  The retreat space did not cost $500 a night. ******** ******** has no access to the spreadsheets of costs or any receipts with taxes and additional fees. The total cost was over $3000 for the weekend.

  ** In response to these *******, a ****** report for ********** has been filed against ******** ******** on March 13, 2024. ****** File Number: **********
  

  Finally, we have a refund policy on our website as follows (***********************************):

  Return Policy for Mystic Arts Meditation
  
  Refunds:
  We offer refunds for purchases made up to 24 hours before retreats and workshops and two hours before any class. To request a refund, please contact us via email or the message form within this timeframe, and our team will process your refund promptly.
  
  No Refunds After Participation:
  Once you have participated in a class, retreat, or any other service provided by Mystic Arts Meditation, refunds will not be issued. We believe that experiencing our services firsthand is essential for understanding their value and effectiveness.
  
  Agreement to Terms:
  By purchasing a ticket or participating in any event or service offered by Mystic Arts Meditation, you agree to abide by the terms of our return policy. This includes the understanding that refunds are only available up to one day before the scheduled event, and no refunds will be issued after participation.
  
  ********** Policy:
  We take the safety and well-being of our clients and staff seriously. Any form of ********** towards our practitioners, staff, or other clients will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, *******, intimidation, or any other behavior deemed harassing or inappropriate. If any such behavior is observed, our team reserves the right to take appropriate action, including but not limited to removing the individual from the premises and pursuing ***** action if necessary.
  
  Governing Law:
  This Return/Refund Policy is governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and any ***** disputes arising from this policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of British Columbia.
  
  Contact Us:
  If you have any questions or concerns about our return policy, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us via email at ******************* or on the website form. We are here to assist you and ensure your experience with Mystic Arts Meditation is positive and fulfilling.
  
  Note:
  This return policy is subject to change at the discretion of Mystic Arts Meditation. Any updates or modifications will be communicated to our clients promptly.
  
  Thank you for choosing Mystic Arts Meditation. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to serving you.
  
  Sincerely,
  The Mystic Arts Meditation Team

  Customer Answer

  Date: 13/03/2024

  
  Please see my comments embedded into the text (highlighed with quotation marks) of the buisness reply below. I would like to request the BBB take this claim to the next available step in the process. I disagree completely with the business's response as it is completely ***** and filled with outright ****. 
  
  MESSAGE FROM BUSINESS:
  
  We
  are so sorry to hear that ******** ******** (********, **** (****)) had
  such a negative experience during the Full Moon Retreat February 23-25th, 2024.
  While
  we did read through the complaints, we were a shocked by the accusations and
  would like to respond.
  The
  weekend went as advertised.

  "It did not go as advertised."
  
  As mentioned in the email, times are subject to change. However, all of the
  activities listed in the event description were covered.
  
  "I have clearly outlined
  the lack of depth, engagement and professionalism on all levels in my original
  file."
  
  ******** ******** agreed to all of these terms before she purchased her ticket
  (see attached email correspondence). 
  
  "I agreed to what was
  advertised and how Kasia presented herself as an experienced group facilitator
  which she is not."
  
  ******** ******** asked if there was going to be any ***** or alcohol and she
  was told that chocolate with a very small amount of psilocybin solely for
  relaxation/meditation use was going to be there as an option, to which she
  replied "Love that!!!
  
  "I was referring to the fact
  that there would be no ***** or alcohol on site."
  
  And I just confirmed that we will definitely be attending," (see attached
  email correspondence). ******** ******** took more than one of the
  chocolate truffles.
  
  "I did not participate in
  or take any of the mushroom products. In reality, it was the exact opposite, I
  was very concerned as there was no proper therapeutic/safety protocols in place
  whatsoever. I was concerned for the safety of those who did take the mushrooms."
  
  ********
  ******** let me know before purchasing her ticket that she had a very loud
  machine that she slept with so she needed her own room but could not afford the
  cost of the large room.
  
  "I did not say my medical device was
  “loud” – I said I wanted a private space because I use a CPAP machine."
  
  I really felt for her situation, so I offered her the largest/nicest room in
  the house at a sizeable discount. Later, I came to learn after that there was
  no machine and that she was just trying to get a discount and the nicest
  accommodations. 
  
  "This is outrageous. I use
  my machine every night and never travel anywhere without it. It is a medical
  device. We negotiated this room for my daughter and I as we also wanted a
  private bath and a bit more room as it was two of us and my daughter is expecting
  her first child."
  
  During
  the weekend, ******** ******** proceeded to make things very uncomfortable
  for everyone. 
  
  "This is another outrageous
  claim. I interacted with everyone respectfully. I enjoyed the other
  participants and was primarily focused on maintaining a positive outlook for my
  daughter and I as this was planned to be a very special time for us."
  
  ********
  ******** would laugh and scoff when I spoke and went out of her way to belittle
  me and the other organizer. There was a point when I was washing dishes at the
  sink and she came by and pushed me out of the way.
  
  "This is absolutely not
  true."
  
  Another
  very uncomfortable example is during one of the sound meditations. ********
  ******** sat across from me while I facilitated the sound journey and glared at
  me the entire time. I was confused and saddened by how ********** I felt by her
  the entire weekend. I know now that she wanted me to feel ********** and
  *******.

  "Another ***, I did not
  glare at Kasia at any time and in no way did I do anything to make her feel
  threatened."
  
  There
  was another point where I was explaining that we were going to leave the moon
  water bottles out overnight and ******** ******** jumped quickly into my
  face and said, "What! We're going to leave them out!?". At which
  point, other participants told her to calm down and that I said we were going
  to leave them outside overnight and that she should listen to everything I was
  saying.
  
  "Another blatant ***. I am
  shocked that Kasia is ****** ** these ***** accusations. At no time did I have
  a negative encounter with any of the other participants. If anything the other
  participants were in agreement with my views on the weekend and one participant
  in particular initiated a conversation regarding this with me. *** **** ** *** ********* ** ***** *** ******** **** ***** ** ***** ** * ****** ********** *** *** ******** ****** ** **** ******
  
  "I made no comments about the water bottles being left out, this is a bold face
  ***. I have facilitated/attended numerous moon water ceremonies; I am very
  familiar with the protocol."
  
  Another
  complaint was that she was asking when the tarot session was going to take
  place and complaining that it hadn't happened to other participants. All of the
  other participants let her know that she was in the room and actually
  participated herself in the tarot session.
  
  "Again NOT true. There was no
  tarot session. I described what happened regarding the tarot in my original
  complaint."
  
  It
  is incredibly disheartening that many of the other attendees came to me and
  said how much she was belittling and insulting me when I was not in the room. I
  felt very ******* and ******** by ******** ******** all weekend. It was
  incredibly upsetting as she received the best accommodations out of anyone. Yet
  she choose to ****** and ***** us all weekend. Now it continues with her
  sending *********** emails, text messages, writing into BBB, among other
  ******* (see email attached with other *******). ******** ******** has
  been *********** to report my small business and write negative reviews
  wherever she can. I have already had to take down comments she has made on my
  social posts.
  
  "Not true, more *****
  accusations. I did not threaten anyone during the weekend or in any related correspondence
  not did I speak ill of Kasia in anyway to anyone. Again, my focus was on staying
  positive and making the best of a horrible situation. Kasia refused to speak with me and solve this issue amicably so I took the next steps and filed a complaint with the BBB which is perfectly within my right to do so."
  
  "I made one brief, honest
  and respectful comment on her ********* account which she immediately removed. I
  spoke the truth and I stand behind it. I have only spoken the
  truth about what happened during the weekend. Kasia’s response to my claim is proposterous, ********** and filled with ****."
  
  Some
  other points to address:
  ********
  ******** choose not to go Forest Bathing - I read her complaint but found this
  confusing as she chose to stay back at the retreat space. We had a great time
  Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku). I am sorry that she was not sure what Forest
  Bathing entails. For clarification, this Japanese practice is a process of
  relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and
  quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing
  deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and
  wellbeing in a natural way.
  
  "I did not participate in
  this event and was told by another participant who did that it was a hike and a
  challenging one at that. The other participant told me that she felt it was
  inappropriate and that they got a bit lost on the hike. She stated that the
  intake form we filled out was not considered at all as she had medical concerns
  that were not taken into consideration and the hike was beyond her capacity.
  She was upset about it and I felt concern for her. "
  
  ********
  ******** ordered myself and the other organizers around throughout the weekend,
  demanding doors to be opened for her.
  
  "What doors? I have no idea
  what she is talking about. I did not order anyone around at any time. I am not
  sure who Kasia is referring to when she speaks of “other organizers” as there
  was only her and her boyfriend (*****) that were identified as organizers."
  
  We are confused why one of her complaints was that she needed to make her own
  coffee. We let everyone know that they had full access to the stocked kitchen
  and to help themselves at any point. In no way did we advertise or promote room
  service or that we had a 24 hour kitchen staff. 
  
  "Again, not true. We made
  the coffee because we and others wanted it."
  
  ********
  ******** left on Sunday afternoon without saying goodbye to anyone or
  mentioning any complaints. Soon after, we started receiving *********** text
  messages and emails stating that, "She was going to get her money back one
  way or another". Of course, this was incredibly shocking and
  upsetting. 
  
  "We left the space with the
  understanding that Kasia would be open to a respectful conversation. She
  actually encouraged us to reach out and offer feedback. She made no attempt to
  say good-bye to us and as participants we all left with no formal closing of
  the weekend."
  
  The
  retreat space did not cost $500 a night. ******** ******** has no access
  to the spreadsheets of costs or any receipts with taxes and additional fees.
  The total cost was over $3000 for the weekend.
  
  "This is irrelevant to me
  as a participant. And that is the rate the ****** is advertised for."
  
   **
  In response to these *******, a ****** report for ********** has been filed
  against ******** ******** on March 13, 2024. ****** File Number: **********
  
  "I look very forward to
  chatting with the ****** and I hope I hear from them soon. There are so many
  things wrong with this situation…To be honest ,I am shocked at the level of *****hoods and **** being spewed
  back at me which only further affirms my position that this person has ZERO
  accountability or skills in dealing with the public and should never host a
  public gathering of any kind."
  
  Finally,
  we have a refund policy on our website as follows
  (***********************************):