Nature as Portal to Presence: Honoring Earth Day

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 honor Earth Day by unplugging and reconnecting with yourself, with others, and with the natural world. We’ll slow down and attune to nature’s rhythms as Spring unfolds. 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, 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 must be comfortable walking outside without support on uneven terrain. Our nature walk begins with a short but moderately steep descent.

Participants should wear layers appropriate for late April and waterproof walking shoes; a rain jacket is also recommended. 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.

IMCW refund policy

A cancellation fee of $35 of the base registration fee is non-refundable. If you contact the manager by clicking the Contact Us button below up to three weeks before the event, the balance of your registration will be refunded. It may take 5-7 days for the refund to show in your account. If you cancel less than three weeks before your event begins, your full payment is forfeited.

Scholarship Procedure

If you need financial assistance, apply for a scholarship by clicking the Contact Us button below before registering. You can also direct a donation to the scholarship fund on the registration form. Please apply early as funds are limited.

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.