Being Nature: Insight Meditation and the Four Elements
With Pamela Weiss and Amana Brembry Johnson
July 14 - 19, 2025
“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.”
—Pema Chodron
Nature moves within us, as us, and speaks through the body. In these times of ecological crisis and deep division we have become disconnected from our innate, living wholeness. This silent meditation retreat will be rooted in teachings on the Four Elements—earth, air, fire and water. Together we will cultivate a wise, tender awareness that listens to and practices with these elemental energies. Reclaiming an intimate connection with our own bodies and the body of the earth, we will reawaken our belonging to the wide, wild world.
Our time together will include silent, stationary meditation, guided instructions, embodied movement, dharma reflections, meetings with teachers and ample time to practice within the land of Vallecitos.
All are welcome.
Cancellation Policy:
- 45 days prior to retreat: Full refund, minus a $150 nonrefundable fee
- 44-22 days prior to retreat: 50% refund
- 0-21 days prior to retreat: No refund
Teachers
Pamela Weiss is a Buddhist teacher in two traditions—Zen and Theravada. After living as a monastic at Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery for five years, she completed comprehensive training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center to become an Insight meditation teacher. She teaches at Spirit Rock, San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara, and is a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight. Pamela is a pioneer in bringing Buddhist principles and practices into the workplace, and is the author of “A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism”. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, Eugene, and little dog, Grover.
Learn more about Pamela Weiss
Amana Brembry Johnson is a dedicated meditation teacher and community leader with over four decades of contemplative practice across multiple spiritual traditions. She serves as a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland, California, and is a coordinating teacher for residential retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Amana is one of the founding teachers of EBMC’s Spiritual Teacher and Leadership (STL) Training and a former mentor for emerging mindfulness teachers through the Mindfulness Meditation Training Certification Program (MMTCP). Her work integrates spirituality, social justice, body awareness, and intuitive creativity, offering a holistic approach to individual and…
Learn more about Amana Brembry Johnson