Attendance at this Earth Awareness retreat is free, other than a deposit due at registration, which is refundable upon completion of the program. Travel and other costs are the responsibility of participants.
The spirit of our times is one of challenge and opportunity for our human communities as well as the larger Earth community and our non-human relatives. When our well-intended heart encounters the heartbreak of our times, we can swing between the extremes of overwhelm and collapse. How do we meet these times in a manner that allows for mutual flourishing in a world we cannot control?
This retreat offers an opportunity to gather in community with others who are grappling with the intersecting crises of our times and actively engaged in weaving a different story. Braiding meditation, community inquiry, the refuge of the Dharma, and communion with the land, we will seek to resource ourselves, finding inspiration and kinship as we navigate our way into an uncertain future. During the mornings of the retreat, we will engage in meditative practice held in silence. Afternoons will include both nature-based practices and relational practices through dialogue, exploring the principal themes of the retreat.
Acknowledging the inseparability of our own well-being with that of the wider Earth community, this retreat is also an invitation to deepen our love for life on this precious Earth and to recognise the significance of a single life of integrity woven into the tapestry of our collective story.
Participants from any contemplative tradition are welcome—like a diverse environment, this will enrich the ecology of our sangha and our time together. What all participants will share is a commitment to caring for the Earth as we explore the ways in which Earth-care and Dharma practice can be integrated.
This retreat is funded by the BESS Family Foundation.
Note: Although this is not a social justice retreat, we will occasionally explore how the dharma can support us in addressing the relationship between human and ecological suffering.
Additional Note: A significant portion of the time will be spent outdoors. Please note any access needs in the Comments section of the registration form, and bring a hat (w/ bug net if possible), sunscreen, layers, a watch, waterproof footwear, and protection from insects and weather.
Camping Option: If you would like to camp, please select the "Commuter" option and note in the Comments section that you will be camping. All meals are included, and campers have access to restrooms and showers. Please bring your own gear. Before choosing to camp, keep in mind that heat, rain, and ticks/mosquitoes are aspects of the camping experience. There are 5 camping spots available, so if the spots fill, we will reach out.
Program Format: This retreat will include guided meditations, relational practices, and dharma talks, reflections, and inquiry on the land and in the Dharma Hall.