Deeper Still ~ An Extended Wilderness Practice Period

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PREREQUISITES:
– Min. 3-day silent meditation retreat.
– Min. 1 yr. of meditation practice.
– Ease of taking care of oneself in nature.

***This practice period requires more experience because it offers a more spacious schedule with more solo time, less guidance, and less overall structure. In addition, the community of practitioners will be bringing/cooking their own meals and collectively caring for camp chores.
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PRACTICE PERIOD OVERVIEW:

Morning sessions (9:30am-12:00pm) and evening sessions (7:30-9:00pm) will consist of group sitting and walking meditations in the meditation tent. (One meditation will be guided by the teacher during each session). Afternoons will be reserved for solo nature meditation on the landscape. (One or two optional group hikes will be offered over the six days.) Every other day, each participant will have the option for an extended individual practice discussion with the teacher. Every evening, a Dharma talk will be offered before dinner. The evenings will close with intentional group sharing around the fire, if desired.

No food will be provided. Meals will be prepared by participants themselves through the use of our wilderness kitchen. Please bring your own bowls/plates/silverware. Community camp chores will be assigned to keep the practice period running smoothly. See more details below.

We hold the majority of the retreat in “noble silence”, honoring the spirit of inward contemplation and presence. We ask that each person help uphold this practice.

The meditation instruction is inspired by the teachings of the Insight Meditation tradition (based in Theravada Buddhism), the practices of 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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COVID-19 AWARENESS and POLICIES:

Even though the severity has lessened, we understand that Covid-19 remains an ongoing concern in our communities, especially for those who are immunocompromised. As a matter of course, we will continue to require that anyone experiencing SARS-CoV-2-like symptoms (that started less than 10 days prior to the immersion) refrain from attending and will be refunded in full. This can be overcome with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test or a positive T-cell antibody test.

Please let us know if you have special requests or needs to be able to feel safer and more comfortable at these events. Thank you for caring for yourself and others. Deep gratitude 🙏
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RETREAT CAMPING ACCOMMODATIONS:

Our unique wilderness retreats are held in secluded nature areas, yet only require a 1/4 mile walk to access our elegant camp. Our camp includes a large open-air meditation tent with canvas floor and central fire/altar, a medium-sized open-air kitchen (for personal cooking), and beautiful areas for personal camping, swimming, and solo/group exploration. Participants are encouraged to sleep in the main tent, or are welcome to bring a personal tent.
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FEES and DONATIONS: (work trade and scholarships available below)

Six days Dharma teachings, solo nature contemplation, guided meditation, group reflection & camping accommodations.

***EARLY-BIRD through April 15th, 2024: (will go up $50 after)
***A percentage of donations are paid forward to organizations working toward Environmental Justice.

1) ORGANIZATION FEE: $200 – $400 ***Please pay the highest amount you can afford

$200 – SUBSIDIZED (Low income and BIPOC only. This price is subsidized by other participants or the organization)

$300 – SUSTAINING (This amount sustains the basic operations of the organization. If this was the only price and you could still pay it, please do.)

$400 – SUPPORTING (This amount supports the attendance of BIPOC, low-income, and scholarship participants. Without people paying this amount that can, we can’t make these offerings accessible.)

***The organization fee is designed to meet the costs of administration, insurance, rent, outreach, supplies, movement-teachers, and set-up/clean-up. It’s NOT designed to pay the main teacher, Justin, a living wage for preparing teachings, holding the retreat container, meeting with participants, or continuing his writing and personal training. Nor is it designed to help support our 501c3 non-profit in sustaining or expanding its reach and services. Hence, there is an additional practice opportunity of donating to those ends.

***Payment plans available (inquire within)

2) TEACHER DONATION (“Dana”): (90% goes to the teacher and 10% to the 501c3)

Offering mindfulness teachings on a donation basis comes from the tradition of Insight Meditation. It keeps these powerful mindfulness practices accessible, honest, and communal. However, it only works if attendees incline their hearts to understand and participate in it. We invite you to consider this as a spiritual practice of generosity and loving-kindness. This offering supports the livelihood of the teacher, the work of the 501c3 non profit, and keeps the “wheel of the dharma” turning for all beings.

***People often ask how much is appropriate. The guideline is to offer the teacher what feels generous to you while also within your financial means. However, when pressed for an amount, we often suggest $150-250 for a retreat of this type/length. Any amount is welcomed.

***This donation is offered via cash or check at the end of their retreat. Please come prepared! Thank you. And let us know if you have any questions.
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REGISTRATION: There are limited spaces on the retreat. Reserve your spot at the bottom of the page.
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WORK TRADE: The positions below full trade for the period. They require firm commitment and follow-through and hard physical work. Inquire with your interest and experience at [email protected].

1) Group Camp Take-down (after the practice period)
This position requires a total of up to 15 hrs of group camp take-down after the retreat. Please fill the following form:
(coming soon)

2) Group Camp Caretaker (during the practice period)
This position requires up to 12hrs of focused work during the retreat, and requires a person to be there for the entire time. The position will entail general camp care, including cleaning/closing the group kitchen, gathering firewood, organizing camp items, and other random tasks throughout. Please fill the following form: (coming soon)
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SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available for low-income peoples and marginalized groups, including People of Color, Transgender, Elderly, and Disabled folks. Please contact [email protected] to share more about yourself. No on will be turned away for lack of funds.
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PAYMENT PLANS:
We offer the option of payment plans for special circumstances. Inquire at [email protected] for more details.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Note, there is a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

The remainder of your payment is:

100% refundable if more than 90 days prior to the event;
50% if more than 60 days;
25% if more than 30 days;
No refund within 30 days of the event.
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GUIDELINES:
We will follow the guidelines of the “5 Precepts” during the retreat, mindfully refraining from harming living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxication. On retreat, this includes refraining from sexual activity and mind-altering substances of any kind.

In addition, we will honor noble silence during the practice period, with the exception of individual check-ins with the teacher, practical speech during volunteer jobs, and nightly sharing circles (and of course, any emergencies). We may also open up optional conversation during some dinner periods. Throughout, gentle eye-contact, heartfelt smiles, and simple favors are welcome, being sensitive to the experience of others.

These guidelines helps us all sink deeper into our own experience, sustain a safe space for everyone, and open up to the natural world. Thank you!

COMMUNAL SPIRIT:
This is a communal event (“sangha”). All participants will be required to join in taking care of the collective camp for 1hr/day. These jobs will include meal prep and dishes, bell-ringing, water filtration, fire-tending, maintaining the “bathroom”, etc.

SELF CARE/GROUP CARE:
Please see the gear list below and provide for your own backcountry needs – let us know if we can help! Please arrive promptly on the Sunday evening of the retreat. Have all your gear ready to go, and be prepared to leave your car until Sunday at 2:00pm. For practical and safety reasons, any late arrivals or early departures from the retreat must be pre-planned and approved by the facilitators. Parking space is limited – please do your best to carpool! Thank you!
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FOOD/WATER:
Food is not provided for this extended retreat. The wilderness kitchen will be available for your use during meal breaks.
We will be providing cooking and cleaning gear (3-burner stove, propane, wash basins, water filters, sanitizer). You will be responsible for all your personal food, food cooler, ice, etc. Please bring water bottle, dishware, and utensils.

If you are staying on from the 5-day immersion, we are happy to provide Monday dinner from leftovers. However, please have the rest of your food and your cooler for the 6-day extension in your car, ready to grab. On Monday afternoon, we will ask for a list of any additional food or medicine or ice needs that you may have. We will be returning on Monday evening or Tuesday morning with people’s additional supplies.

If you are coming just for the 6-day, please plan to bring all the food you need, as well as a cooler and ice. We will be trying to not make any trips into the closest town, so please bring more than enough (you can store it in your car).

Of course, filtered water will be pumped and provided for the camp. Please bring your water bottle!

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RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST:
Food for the entire duration
Hard Cooler with wheels, or carried separately.
Dry ice and block ice

Backpack and small day-pack
Backpacking tent (optional – participants are welcomed to store personal items and roll out sleeping gear under the common meditation tent)
Clothes for cool and warm weather (IMPORTANT)
Hiking Boots
Socks
Rain jacket, and light rain-pants
Sleeping Bag (warm) and Sleeping Pad

Personal dishware & utensils (IMPORTANT) – plate, bowl, fork, spoon, knife.
Special foods/medications (IMPORTANT – storage available in kitchen)

Sunscreen, Sunhat, Lip balm, and Sunglasses
Bugspray
Personal toilitery items needed to feel comfortable in wilderness
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Headlamp or flashlight + extra batteries
Biodegradable Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, etc.)
Water Bottle

Meditation/Yoga props. (one cushion/backjack may be sufficient. Yoga mats are optional, as yoga can be done direct on the canvas drop cloth) ***IF you need a cushion, mat, or backjack, let us know – we can likely loan you one!
Meditation Blanket

Towel (optional – if you want to swim/bathe)
Journal (optional – if you want to write!)
Pocket Knife (optional, but handy)
Wrist watch w/ alarm (optional – there will be bells if you are within ear-shot)
Special objects for altar (optional)

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