Awakening with the Land: A Day of Contemplative Practice in the Mountains

The Whole Earth is the True human body.

– Dōgen Zenji

Elders within both indigenous societies and contemplative traditions have long sought out the refuge of the wider natural world in order to become more intimate with a larger ground of belonging. These sages and elders of old deeply understood that the nature of their own minds was not separate from mountains and rivers and the great wide Earth.

In this daylong retreat we join this long tradition of exploring the gifts of nature-based practice and contemplative practice, coming closer to the inner landscape of our own minds whilst deepening our intimacy with the wider natural world. In particular we will explore the mutuality of these ways of deepening presence to life. Such an apprenticeship to Mind and Nature is by necessity a life-long journey, and yet on this long road it can be useful to make the time where one’s day is given over fully to this endeavor.

We live in a time where the marriage of outer engagement and inner understanding is an essential feature of the movement toward a mutually beneficial human presence on this earth, as well as the ground for individual flourishing. This retreat is an opportunity to explore this through slowing down and settling into a rhythm and quality of presence that supports us in remembering what is most important, what we most deeply belong to and how we may rest more deeply into intimacy with this life.

There will be periods of silence, guided practice, and some shared dialogue on the themes of the day. This event is most suitable for people with some previous meditation experience or mindfulness practice. The hike itself is moderate with some rocky terrain and involves some stream crossings (4 miles total). We will take it slowly as the intention is full presence to our beautiful surroundings.

Sorry, we cannot accommodate dogs on this program. Rain will cancel and participants will receive a full refund. In all cases, teacher dana is grateful accepted.