Nature As Portal To Presence – Daylong Retreat [EVENT FULL]

Please note this retreat is now full

Register HERE

“We depend on nature not only for our physical survival, we also need nature to show us the way home, the way out of the prison of our own minds.” – Eckhart Tolle

This daylong retreat invites you to unplug and reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with the natural world. We’ll slow down and attune to nature’s rhythms. Participants will be invited to cultivate an embodied presence and open to kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity. Nature will serve as both refuge and teacher, offering wisdom for daily life and a grounded response to the world’s challenges.

Our time together will include sitting meditation, walking meditation practice, guided and solitary practice and talks explaining the teachings, some of which will occur outdoors. A unique component of this retreat includes a nature-based, hands-on activity with locally sourced, seasonal foliage and flowers.

Our day-long retreat will be based at 7505 Democracy Blvd but will include time outside in a beautiful nearby oasis, Cabin John Regional Park. Rain or shine, nature will be our steady companion.

Accessibility:

As we will be walking on nature trails, this event is not wheelchair accessible. Participants should be comfortable walking without supports on uneven surfaces.

Participants should bring waterproof walking shoes, a rain jacket and clothing appropriate for early November weather. Chairs and blankets will be provided; other meditation supports such as zafus, should be brought individually. All materials for nature-based, hands-on activity will be provided.

Food:

We suggest bringing a bagged lunch. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and sink available for your use. If you don’t bring lunch, there are several food options within a 5 minute drive.

Join us in person:

We meet at Lakeside Terrace Condo, Community Room, in Bethesda, MD. Here’s a map.

In-person events are offered as fragrance-free as possible, so please do not bring or use any products with “parfum” or “fragrance” in the ingredients.

Parking:

You can either park in front of the building (facing the park) or drive down the hill past the building and park in the uncovered/outdoor parking lot by the tennis courts.
Building and community room access: Press 415 on the callbox in front of the building to be let in. The community room is past the lobby and in the hallway to your right.