Retreats

This last year, the pandemic has forced us to focus more and more on URL's and less on IRL (in real life). As the world starts to open up again, we're all feeling a little depleted, emerging from our online lives with a longing to reawaken a connection with life and with each other.  Come join us for a vibrant weekend of nourishment, nature and community. Together we will explore the beauty of the wilderness, rekindle the art of human connection, and cultivate mindfulness through meditation and sensory awareness practice outdoors.

Following ancient spiritual traditions that value the transformative power of nature, this experiential workshop will be spent meditating entirely outdoors among the natural beauty and mystery of Esalen. Whether under a blazing sunset or in the stillness of cypress trees, we will open to the profound serenity and wisdom of nature. We will cultivate mindfulness — being present to ourselves while developing a contemplative relationship with nature. This leads to beautiful states of joy, peace, wonder, love and connection with oneself, one another and the larger web of life.

In these volatile and uncertain times, where so much of our lives are lived virtually, it is vital we stay connected to our own bodies and the body of the earth to access wisdom and perspective. Opening the senses, the heart, and the mind to the wonder of nature revitalizes and reconnects us to our aliveness. During our time together, we will use nature to cultivate a receptive, embodied quality of attention where states of joy, awe, and wonder will increase your capacity for well-being and inspired action.

In this contemplative half day in southern Marin, we will open to the joy, beauty and tranquility of the natural world. We will utilize various sensory awareness practices, and mindfulness based meditations to support us being present and awake to our direct experience and to the wonder and mystery of nature. This time will be one of deep nourishment, regeneration and connection.

Led by Mark Coleman and Lori Schwanbeck In this contemplative half day in southern Marin, we will open to the joy, beauty and tranquility of the natural world. We will utilize various sensory awareness practices, and mindfulness based meditations to support us being present and awake to our direct experience and to the wonder and mystery of nature. This time will be one of deep nourishment, regeneration and connection.

This silent retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to ourselves and our environment. Participants will learn to bring this receptive presence to develop a contemplative relationship with nature. By cultivating an inner quiet and curious spirit we can learn from nature as a perennial teacher. The natural world reveals timeless Dharma teachings that support a natural letting go and a wise relationship to all experience.

During our time together, we will use immersion-in-nature to cultivate a receptive, embodied quality of attention where states of joy, awe, wonder, and love are easily accessible. The integration of awareness in nature will increase your capacity for well-being and inspired action, and deepen your connection with the web of life.

This silent retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to ourselves and our environment. Participants will learn to bring this receptive presence to develop a contemplative relationship with nature. By cultivating an inner quiet and curious spirit we can learn from nature as a perennial teacher. The natural world reveals timeless Dharma teachings that support a natural letting go and a wise relationship to all experience.

This silent retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to ourselves and our environment. Participants will learn to bring this receptive presence to develop a contemplative relationship with nature. By cultivating an inner quiet and curious spirit we can learn from nature as a perennial teacher. The natural world reveals timeless Dharma teachings that support a natural letting go and a wise relationship to all experience.

Come get away from winter cold and attend a silent kayaking mindfulness retreat 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 swim, snorkel and enjoy this spectacular setting.

In this silent meditation retreat we explore the innate quality of awareness: what it is, how to recognize it, and how to cultivate and abide within it. We investigate how continuity of mindfulness practice supports a depth and stability of awareness, and inquire into what interferes with fully stabilizing in awareness both in meditation and in ordinary activity. As mindfulness grows, we see how this capacity for awareness is available in every moment. The retreat includes periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks, inquiry, and discussion.

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.