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Event
Bloom of the Heart ~ a 1 or 2 day wildflower meditation retreat
Spend one (or two) days in full bloom, immersed within pristine wildflower meadows, practicing the art of natural mindfulness.
Breathe in the fresh air, restore your body and mind, savor the peak spring wildflowers, and awaken space for your true heart to bloom!
Join a genuine group of mindful nature-lovers for a day of gentle hiking, guided meditations, restful yoga, and nature reflection on private wildlands near Fern Ridge Reservoir.
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RETREAT DATES:
May 4th and/or 5th, 2019 - 8:45am to 6:00pm.
***Rain make-up day: May 11th.
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RETREAT OVERVIEW:
Our unique nature retreats are held in secluded areas, yet only require a 1/4 mile walk to access our retreat-camp. Our camp includes a large open-air meditation tent with canvas floor, clean/private outdoor pit toilets, and beautiful areas for nature exploration.
The days will include silent sitting and walking meditations, gentle yoga, nature reflections/explorations, and group sharing - as well as time to rest and soak it all in. Parts of the day will be held in silence; other parts will encourage sharing and connection.
The meditation instruction is inspired by the teachings of the Insight Meditation tradition (based in Theravada Buddhism), Awake in the Wild practices (Mark Coleman), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MSBR), the inspiration of Western scientific insight (evolutionary biology, ecology, psychology), and most importantly, the pervading presence of Nature itself.
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TESTIMONIALS:
What a soul enriching combination to be walking/hiking and meditating in nature, especially with a teacher/leader/guide like Justin, who so embodies his Love for both!! I am extremely grateful he is offering these day long/weekend retreats. Such a wonderful gift to give yourself! The ripple effect of deep peace I felt continued way beyond the experience itself! - 2018 Participant
"The whole experience was really beautiful. Justin led us through various mindfulness exercises while also encouraging each of us to forge our own unique path of internal reflection and outward curiosity. I felt my energy take a huge leap forward during the retreat. Overall the experience was wonderful; I am definitely interested in a return experience this year!" - 2018 Participant
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RETREAT SCHEDULE: (approximate)
8:45am: Meet near Fern Ridge, OR.
9:00am: Begin a short mindful walk to the reflection site.
9:30am -12:30pm: Guided meditations, nature reflections, and group sharing.
12:30pm - 2:00pm: Eat lunch and rest. (pack your own lunch)
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Guided mindful walk through wet meadows OR restorative yoga under the shade tent.
3:00pm - 5:30pm: Guided meditation, nature reflections, and final reflections and group sharing.
5:30pm - Mindful hike back together.
6:00pm - Depart from the site.
***Camping on-site overnight to enjoy both days is an option. No food provided. Inquire with justin.michelson@gmail.com for details.
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EXCHANGE: (see registration options below)
1) Suggested Donation: $25 - $75 per day
$25 - Subsidized donation
$50 - Sustaining donation
$75 - Supporting donation
***These retreats are offered on a low sliding scale (as well as offering work-trade/scholarship) to make these practices and nature accessible to all. However, there are many costs even prior to supporting the teacher/guide, including administration, insurance, tent rental, outreach, fuel/supplies, movement teachers, and set-up/clean-up. Please donate at a generous level while staying within your means. If you feel moved to further support our work, send additional donations to naturesheartretreats@gmail.com (there will also be an opportunity at the end of the retreat).
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WORK-TRADE POSITIONS: These positions require firm commitment and follow-through and hard work. Inquire with your interest and experience at naturesheartretreats@gmail.com.
1) Group Camp Set-up (Thursday prior)
3) Group Camp Take-down (Tuesday after)
5) Outreach & Registration Assistant (1 month prior)
***If you are unable to work-trade or meet the suggested donation amounts, we are still open to working with you! Please contact naturesheartretreats@gmail.com for special scholarship opportunities.
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REGISTRATION: There are limited spaces on the retreat. Reserve your spot through one of the following avenues:
1) PAYPAL (preferred - no fees).
Please send donation via PAYPAL to naturesheartretreats@gmail.com. (send using "friends and family" option to avoid fees. Make note "Bloom of the Heart - Sat or Sun")
ALSO - please fill out the following Google Registration Form (https://goo.gl/forms/GVBpnp2Cp0oRDq8E2).
2) CREDIT/DEBIT CARD: If you need to use a card, you can use our Brown Paper Tickets online ticketing site, but there is a 2% fee.
https://_________________.bpt.me (link coming soon)
3) Send check to Nature's Heart Retreats at 81868 Lost Valley Ln, Dexter, OR 97431. ______________________________________________________
TEACHERS:
Wild Nature
Wild nature is a powerful teacher. In its authenticity, its simplicity, and its wholeness, nature imparts to us an easeful, connected way of living and being. It shows us all (beginners and experienced alike) that meditation can be easy, natural, and full of joy and creativity.
Nature also is a powerful support to our hearts and minds, reminding us to come home to the larger web of life we exist within. Held in this way, we find that challenging experiences flow with greater ease, acceptance, and understanding. We find that transformative insight and perspective on ourselves and our lives arises effortlessly in the reflection of Nature's profound presence of being.
Justin Michelson - Meditation and Mindfulness
Justin is a Eugene-area meditation and mindfulness teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition, as well as owner of Native Foods Nursery, a native plant nursery in Dexter, OR. Growing up north of Seattle, Justin's love for Nature dovetailed with mindfulness practice from an early age, evolving into a strong care for the environment and people of the Northwest.
Since 2000, he has practiced with his root teacher, Rodney Smith, who authorizes him to share the teachings of mindfulness & Insight Meditation. He has also completed Spirit Rock Meditation Center's Community Dharma Leadership program, Mark Coleman's Awake in the Wild nature-meditation training, and is in process to become certified through UC San Diego in MBSR.
He lives in an earthen cabin at a retreat center in Dexter, OR, from where he leads retreats, runs his nursery, and teaches at the nearby Eugene Insight Meditation Center, including bi-annual intro courses, day-long retreats, and weekly talks. His teachings weave together the essential teachings of the Dharma with a deep love for the natural world and the Northwest Bioregion.
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WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
Bring your own hearty lunch (and snacks)
Waterproof Hiking boots/bogs
Warm Clothes and Raingear
Small backpack for your gear
Yoga mat (meditation cushion/camping chair optional)
Sunhat/Sunblock/Sunglasses (we're hopeful!)
Bug Repellant
Water Bottle
Journal and pen
Binoculars (for wildlife)
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DIRECTIONS: to the site from Eugene, OR.
Directions will be sent upon registration...
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THE POWER OF NATURE MEDITATION:
On their own, mindfulness practices have been medically proven to have a plethora of beneficial effects. Mindfulness can provide relief of anxiety, depression, phobias, ADD and other mental ailments; they encourage greater relaxation, joy, peace, and other positive attitudes/emotions; they have shown to increase physical healing, immune system function, and reduce chronic pain. Mindfulness practices even have been shown to increase generous, compassionate, and kind actions in the world!
Likewise, on its own, spending time in Nature - in the presence of living things (plants/animals) or the elements (being outside) - has shown amazingly similar positive effects from a growing body of international research studies. Nature immersion can provide relief of distressful states such as depression, and anxiety and encourage wholesome states such as relaxation and joy. It can increase mental focus, improve our immune strength, heal lifelong traumas, and work through intense life changes. Nature immersion can even catalyze transformative insights and spiritual experiences that we can carry through the rest of our lives!
Mindfulness and nature-immersion are showing themselves as unmatched medicines that produce well-documented positive effects on our overall well-being and happiness. When both of these medicines are consciously combined they become an incredibly potent tonic for our body, mind, and soul. Combining the intentional activity of mindfulness with the healing presence and transmission of Nature itself amplifies the positive potentials of both.
Whether we are looking for physical, emotional/mental, or spiritual help, or all of the above, practicing mindfulness in nature is a very promising solution that may help us on our journey!
For more information, see the "About Us" tab on our FB home page.
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EUGENE INSIGHT:
This event is hosted by Nature's Heart Retreats and Eugene Insight Meditation Center (EIMC), located in Eugene, OR at 1645 Oak St. EIMC meets every Sunday evening to practice and share the Dharma from 6:30-8:00pm. Join us!
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LocationAddress Provided with Purchase
Eugene, OR 97486
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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