Community is a state of being, belonging, and reciprocity. It is the practice of living in spiritual friendship (kalyanna mitta in Buddhism) within ourselves, with one another, with the more-than-human world, and with the world at large. The quality of our life experience is determined by the focus of our attention. While we have little control over the externals in our lives as human beings, we have a choice every moment in how we show up and what we give our attention to. As we navigate the joys and responsibilities of being human, the beauty and complexity of relationships, and the gravity of the challenges we face collectively, this retreat is an opportunity to restore inter-being and let everyday life — from the easy moments to the difficulties — be our sacred laboratory.

This month-long retreat will deepen your embodiment of true nature and interconnection through engaged meditation, eco-dharma, and the nine principles of relational mindfulness from Eden’s Relational Mindfulness: A Handbook for Deepening Our Connection with Ourselves, Each Other, and Our Planet.

This work bridges personal and collective awakening. It invites us past the realm of concepts and ideas down into our alchemical bodies and our communion with the earth. It allows us to deepen our relational presence and the qualities of receptivity, attunement, co-creativity, collaboration, and Gaia consciousness. It takes us beyond duality into the balance of yin and yang,  being and doing, and light and dark to recognize the full spectrum of life as sacred. Most importantly, this work is about direct experience and embodiment. The more we get out of the way, the more life can guide us home.

Our exploration will include deep time in nature, relational mindfulness, somatic awareness, conscious movement/dance, conscious use of the imagination, and ritual — all held in kalyanna mitta. As part of our journey, we will engage in a powerful process of releasing limiting beliefs and setting conscious intentions for the new year — for ourselves and our world. All are welcome!