Arriving in Place
A Day of Mindful Ecology
Saturday, October 21, 2023
10am – 4:45pm
Weather Permitting
Register By: October 11, 2023 (Those registering after the 11th will be accepted as room permits)
The Buddhist path is about unhooking our habitual ways of being in the world. One of these habitual patterns is the experience of being disconnected from the environment, which cultivates a sense of not belonging. We will be exploring ways of reconnecting with the natural world through the lenses of ecology and dharma.
There will be sitting, walking and standing meditation, and ecological explorations. We will also be describing and exploring the relationship with the present moment, relationship with place, and larger connections to environment and planet.
The retreat is designed for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Fitness level for this exploration: It is necessary to be physically fit enough to hike on rocky uneven ground at high elevation for 1 hour to join. The hiking will be on relatively flat ground. In addition to sitting meditation, it will include 30 – 45 minutes of trail walking, an hour of walking and exploring the local flora, and self-paced walking meditations.
Participants should be prepared for inclement weather such as wind, rain, or cold temperatures as well as for sunny hot weather. You will need to pack water, lunch, sunscreen, rain jacket, and a ground cloth or small packable camp chair.
There is NO FEE for this retreat. The teachings of the Buddha have been sustained by the 2,500 year old tradition of dana, a Pali word meaning “generosity.” Our teachers receive no compensation for their services. Participants are encouraged to support them by offering donations to them at the retreat’s end. In the act of giving, we develop our ability to let go, cultivate a spirit of caring, and honor our inter-connectedness.
Registration is Required by October 11th.
Any applications received after registration closes will be admitted as room permits.
Retreat Registration Form
If the number of registrations exceeds the available slots, we will hold a lottery one week before this retreat. Those not selected will be placed on the Waiting List. If an applicant is not selected in the lottery after applying for a retreat, the probability of getting accepted increases with each subsequent retreat they apply for.
Details & Location:
Additional information about this retreat, including the location, carpooling and what to bring, will be provided to all participants who are accepted.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:
In the spirit of supporting our practice together and our care for everyone in our community, including extended contacts, we want to avoid transmission of any disease and minimize risk to more vulnerable persons as much as possible. We ask community members not to join if they have cold symptoms, or have had possible exposure to Covid-19 in the 2 weeks prior to the hike.
Face coverings will not be required, in accordance with guidelines for groups of people meeting outside. Anyone who still wishes to wear a mask will be welcome to do so.
We will maintain an appropriate distance amongst individuals while outside.
We will continue to monitor the local situation and guidelines. We will update our policies if needed upon review.
For More Information:
Email registrar@flagstaffinsight.org
Teachers for this retreat:
Robin Craig is a Certified Meditation Teacher in The Mind Illuminated tradition, which is rooted in Theravadan and Tibetan Karma Kagyu traditions with lineage to the Venerable Ananda Bodhi. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and on the Faculty of Organic Intelligence®. Robin brings her understanding of the physiology of resilience to her meditation and counseling practices, and supports a joyful exploration of the deep spirituality and interconnection that is ours by nature.
Molly McCormick is a botanist and restoration ecologist. She has 20 years of experience working with people and the land, facilitating reciprocal and meaningful relationships. Some of her job titles have included naturalist guide, adventurer, native plant farmer, restoration story-teller, citizen science coordinator, herbalist, permaculture designer, rainwater harvester, and finally botanist and ecologist. She is currently the program manager for the Southwest Fire Science Consortium, supporting land management, communities, fire managers, and the more than human world in an increasingly unpredictable world.