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.

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.

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.