Awake in the Wild: Opening to Beauty, Joy, and Wisdom in Nature
With Mark Coleman and bruni dávila
September 23 - 30, 2024
This retreat will be spent meditating entirely outdoors in the natural beauty and mystery here at Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center. Whether it is during sunset meditations, listening to the soothing sounds of the river, or sitting graced in the stillness of the aspen trees, we will open to the profound serenity and wisdom of nature.
This silent retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to our inner and outer landscapes. 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.
Participants will also discover how meditative time outdoors leads to beautiful states of joy, peace, wonder, love, and connection with oneself, each other, and the larger web of life. Also revealed are timeless insights into essential truths of life.
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 both in solitude and as part of the group.
To support a depth of meditative awareness, complete silence is maintained throughout the retreat except during meetings with your teachers and group discussion.
This retreat is appropriate for those early in their retreat practice and experienced meditators who are curious about meditation outdoors, and how to deepen your insight practice and open your connection to the mystery of the natural world. Be prepared for unexpected delight, mystery, silence, and illumination.
COVID Safety Measures: Please review our current COVID Safety Measures, which are subject to change.
Teachers
Mark is a life-long nature lover and is passionate about guiding people into the beauty of meditation and nature. He has led wilderness nature retreats for over 20 years worldwide. Through his organization Awake in the Wild Mark leads yearlong nature meditation teacher trainings in the US and Europe. Mark has trained extensively in the Buddhist tradition, both in the Insight Meditation and in the Dzogchen traditions. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught insight meditation retreats since 1997. Co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute, Mark also leads yearlong professional mindfulness teacher trainings in Europe…
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bruni dávila has practiced Insight Meditation and Zen since 1995. She/they has been guided and supported by many wonderful teachers and sanghas, her ancestors of Puerto Rican heritage, the natural world and all her relations. bruni teaches metta and vipassana retreats in English and Spanish. Through the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies, bruni completed the Chaplaincy, the Eco-Chaplaincy, the Dharma Mentoring, and the Local Dharma Leaders Training Programs. She was trained and authorized to teach by the Insight Meditation Society (IMS). bruni is drawn to and inspired by long retreat practice and Dharma in daily life.
Learn more about bruni dávila