Awake in the Wild
Meditation in Nature Intensive Training
With Mark Coleman
August,September,October 2007

What is this course?
Based on the new book Awake in the Wild, author and Meditation teacher Mark Coleman will be the principal teacher on this 3 month course. He will draw on this important new work that take us back into the natural world with a contemplative awareness allowing us to settle into a more profound harmony and deepening relationship to it. Mark ulitizes traditional and contemporary Buddhist meditation practices, as well as the power of silence and community to deepen our intimacy with the nature.

Why a course in nature?
Most people live increasingly removed from the natural world. In our Blackberry-esque culture, addiction to technology leaves our attention dissipated and our hearts longing for something deeper. This course re-emphasizes the importance of simply going out into the woods, hills, meadows and ocean to re-connect, rejuvenate, re-inspire and touch dimensions of peace and joy and the sacred that come so readily in nature.

The Retreats
Based on the silent model of Mindfulness based Vipassana retreats – we will spend the day in silence, quietly contemplating inner and outer nature. There will be guided meditations, silent walks, solo time, talks, and discussion as well as interactive exercises and learning about the local ecology.

What will this course do for you?
Participants will learn how to refine their relationship to nature by developing and deepening their meditation and mindfulness skills outdoors. They will also experience a greater confidence and fluency being in the natural world, develop an increased capacity to dwell meditatively in nature, and refine the ability to absorb invaluable teachings the earth offers.

There will be an emphasis of how to bring back the lessons and transformative power of nature into the midst of our daily life. Participants will also learn how to draw upon and access the natural elements that are ever present in our lives as a key to maintaining balance, perspective and joy.

Similarly you do not have to have had a lot of wilderness experience, it can help but it is not essential. The retreats are led by experienced guides who are very familiar with the local terrain, and in leading outdoor retreats. Getting in shape will help with the physical aspect of the course. Hiking, especially with a backpack in the months leading up to the course will be the most effective physical preparation.

See the schedule of nature retreats for details about specific retreats.

Course outline
The course will build on itself, with successively longer immersions in the natural world.

August 19 Mt Tamalpais Daylong in Nature Retreat
Theme of Listening / Receiving / Opening to Nature We will begin with a daylong - orienting you to the course and how to begin and deepen your meditation practice in the outdoors.

September 21-22 Tomales Bay Weekend Retreat
The next immersion will be weekend on beautiful Tomales Bay at a remote campsite. We will kayak into the camp and undertake practices and meditations that refine our intimacy and connection with the natural world.

October 19-21 3 Day Retreat Pt Reyes National Seashore
The third and last immersion will be a 3 day retreat in Pt Reyes National Seashore. Here we will take the principles and practices we have already learned and develop ways both with solo time and within the context of community to continue to refine our nature-based Dharma practice and explore an ever deepening intimacy with the natural world. We will also explore ways to integrate this practice into your daily life. There will be an opportunity for a half day of solo meditation practice

Cost $975 Early registration - $900

Meditations and practices will include:
Nature Loving Kindness
Spacious Awareness
Sky-like Mind
Cultivating intimacy with a favorite place over time
Non-conceptual awareness
The Art of Meandering
Finding the infinite in the finite
Contemplating the 4 elements
Listening meditation
Working with fear
Understanding impermanence
Transforming aversion
Big Mind
Turning toward death
Contemplating mystery
Practicing Equanimity amid adversity
Opening our hearts to the world
Inviting rapture
Fostering acceptance

To register
Send $200 deposit to
Mark Coleman, 865 Upper Autumn Lane, Mill Valley CA 94941
Full payment by July 31st receives a $75 discount.