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Are you ready to enter into the beauty and serenity of nature at Esalen? In this mindfulness in nature workshop, you will spend the entire time meditating and opening the senses in the stunning natural beauty of the Big Sur coast. Developing a sensory, embodied attention in the outdoors will open you to beautiful states of joy, delight and wonder.

In the storms of our lives we need refuge, nourishment, and support—a place to replenish our tired bodies and troubled hearts. When the Buddha offered his teachings, his first instruction was to go meditate under a tree. Throughout this retreat, we will practice together in the age-old tradition of being outside in the company of the natural world. We will explore tapping into the natural stillness and dynamism that surrounds us and teaches us. As we integrate stillness and movement, we move toward being active participants in the world while maintaining balance and ease in our hearts and minds.

This silent retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to ourselves and our environment. On the retreat there will be guided nature-based meditations, mindful walks, Dharma talks on meditation and nature and group meetings with the teacher. There will be time to relish in the silence outdoors and to explore the wilderness of Vallecitos Mountain Ranch both in solitude and as part of the group.

Led by Mark Coleman and based on his book, Awake in the Wild, this is a Vipassana meditation retreat and sea kayaking trip in the pristine wilderness of the Sea of Cortez. The retreat will be mostly in silence to support the meditative process, and there will be several periods of meditation daily as well as time for discussion, talks on the themes of meditation in nature, talking circles and opportunities for one to one work with the Mark Coleman. There will also be free time to paddle, swim, snorkel and enjoy this spectacular setting.