To commemorate Earth Day, you are invited to join a retreat focused on mindfulness in nature – to take care of ourselves, and learn to better inhabit our bodies and take care of this planet (by learning from the wisdom of nature). This weekend, semi-silent retreat will focus on deepening your connection with nature and with yourself. You will experience immersive and guided nature-based mindfulness practices, including nature meditations, walking meditation, forest therapy (“shinrin yonku”) and relational mindfulness practices, to support restoration, healing and connection – all in the beautiful and supportive environment of the Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre.
Mindfulness is a practice that helps us to pay attention and “wake up” to life, as it is happening, and be able to respond to our experiences (including suffering) with insight and compassion. Jon Kabat-Zinn (developer of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction/MBSR program) has defined mindfulness as, “the awareness that arises from paying attention to our life, with purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh has said, “Bring the earth your love and happiness. The earth will be safe when we feel safe in ourselves.” By cultivating mindfulness in nature and trauma-sensitive mindfulness skills, we can learn from the wisdom of nature (and our direct experiences), to support our ability to live with peace, compassion and gratitude. It’s also a way of showing reciprocity and gratitude to Earth as our teacher.
As this is a mindfulness in nature retreat, most activities will be held outdoors during this retreat (weather permitting). Please bring layers and appropriate clothing and footwear for being outdoors in all conditions. However, all needs will be respected and accommodated. There is no expectation or requirement to participate in all components of the retreat- all activities are invitational – honour and take care of yourneeds this weekend and you will be supported to do so. In addition, no prior knowledge or experience in mindfulness, meditation, or yoga is required for this retreat; the yoga and meditation practices will be beginner-friendly and accessible to all levels. If you are an experienced practitioner, this retreat will help you to deepen your practice.
Enjoy this time to relax, unwind, and reconnect body, mind and spirit as you become mindful of all that surrounds you and is within you. Listen to the sounds of nature, the breeze. Feel your heartbeat, the rise and fall of your breath.
This retreat will teach you key tools to better cope with the stresses of daily life and more fully experience life in the present, rather than getting caught up in worries about the future. Explore all aspects of yourself: what you eat, how you eat, how you feed your mind, and how you feel in your body.
Throughout the retreat you are invited to explore various forms of mindfulness meditations including sitting, walking and eating, as well as mindful movement through yoga and hiking.
Our Accomodation Types
