What to Expect

The retreats are primarily in silence. The days are a blend of hiking, meditation, group check-in, setting up camp, free time to explore, swimming in nearby lakes and streams and guidance and talks on the themes of meditation and being in nature as a spiritual practice. Generally a day goes like this; We wake up close to sunrise, meditate, have breakfast and then if we are moving that day, pack up the camp. Every morning there is a guided meditation and a theme for the day is introduced. Before hiking there is a brief talking circle to give everyone a chance to check-in. The rest of the day goes like this: morning hike, lunch, hike, set up camp, free time to rest, explore, swim, then meditation, dinner, free time, meditation, a talk and led discussion around the camp-fire, then bed or more time under the stars. There are generally 2-3 days on most trips when we are not hiking. On those days, we have more time to meditate, explore the local terrain without backpacks, and have individual meetings with the teacher to check in and talk about your meditation or what is happening for you on the retreat. On some retreats there is an opportunity to do a 24 hour solo time. There will also be guidance about the local landscape, geology, flora, fauna, helping us to orient more fully to the geography we are walking in.

Buddhist Practice

The retreats are informed by twenty years of study with many forms of Asian meditation traditions, primarily within Insight Meditation Buddhist tradition. This tradition uses the practice of mindfulness as the basis for developing insight, wisdom and compassion, and transforming suffering into peace, ease and freedom. The emphasis on these retreats is not so much about learning about Buddhism per se, but to use those teachings to facilitate a deeper awareness of ourselves and our environment so that we can deepen our experience in the wilderness.

Mindfulness meditation is a training of mind and heart in how to be with the simplicity of our direct experience. Through this meditation, we learn how to develop a clear and subtle awareness, so we can be fully in the present, embodied and awake to the life around us. This awareness allows us to open more deeply to the truth, mystery and wonder of life. It can awaken a much deeper sensitivity to the natural world.

Preparation

You do not have to be a Buddhist or a meditator to join these retreats. An openness and willingness to engage in the practices offered is all that is required. Learning mindfulness meditation in a class or course prior to coming will make this journey richer, but is not a pre-requisite.

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.