Across diverse spiritual paths, from ancient shamans to Buddhist masters, nature is seen as a profound teacher, offering lessons in interconnectedness, peace, and the awakening of our true selves. Please join us as we explore our deep connection with the elements, trees, animals, and the flows of streams and rivers. This annual wilderness retreat includes daily hikes of 3-4 miles over moderate territory infused with meditations to access our innate belonging through the elements within the grand tapestry of existence—a way of being that acknowledges and supports the flow of love that unites all beings in oneness, gratitude, and profound joy..

On this retreat, participants will explore and develop a repertoire of practices and contemplative approaches that allow us to take nature as a teacher. We will discover how communing with the elemental forces of fire, water, earth, air, and space can heal the body, transform the heart and liberate the mind. During this retreat, our “meditation hall” will migrate from the forest to the shores of mountain lakes, from verdant valleys to rocky summits.

Mornings and evenings, we will ground in practice and teaching in Wonderwell’s historic Meditation Hall. Weather permitting, our days will be spent meditating in the temple of the brilliant autumn landscape of rural New Hampshire. We will take the principles of meditation into walking, hiking, and other forms of mindful movement.

Through rekindling our innate interconnectedness with the natural world, we simultaneously discover the spacious, luminous, and awake qualities of our own being. Within this web of interconnectedness, we discover that liberation from suffering and the freedom to realize our aspirations are not about transcending the human condition, but about finding the inherent freedom within it.

REQUIREMENTS:
All levels of meditation practice are welcome. Vigorous  activity is a key practice in this retreat.  Participants must be capable of hiking four to five miles per day over moderate mountainous terrain to join in all activities.  Please intend to participate in the daily hike.  Alternative activities at Wonderwell will not be available.