The Joy of Natural Mindfulness ~ Half-Day Nature Retreat

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: (everything should fit on your body or in a backpack)

Small backpack for all your things
A nourishing snack
A full water bottle
Clothes for sitting, movement, and weather (raingear!)

*Meditation cushion (ideally strapped to your backpack, although we have some extra inflatable ones, too)
Hiking boots/shoes
Journal and pen
Sunhat/Sunblock/Sunglasses (we’re hopeful!)
Bug Repellant, if you need

and anything else that will help you feel comfortable! Let us know if we can help!

*We have a few inflatable meditation cushions and yoga straps, if you’d like to borrow – let us know. (To purchase your own, search online for “Mobile Meditator” inflatable cushions or “Padma Seat” yoga straps for even lighter-weight options)

***Please refrain from bringing your pets to the event. Thank you.

______________________________________________________

THE CULTURE OF NATURE-MEDITATION IN COMMUNITY:

To support this important work, we design our time together in particular conscious ways. We weave together a variety of complementary activities, including seated meditations, interactive nature-meditations, movement meditations, and community discussions and conversations. We alternate between periods of silence, periods of guidance, periods of conversation, and periods of reflection. And most importantly, we do all this together as a community.
Please arrive with the intention to honor the structure of the day and the community of like-minded people that gather to learn and grow together. Thank you.
______________________________________________________

HISTORY OF THE LAND & PEOPLES:

For thousands of years, indigenous peoples of Oregon have tended to the lands within and around what is now Buford Park. The peoples of the Willamette Valley were called the “Kalapuya”, and since their removal are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde. By original treaty rights, this is still their land. As we step upon it, we honor their footsteps and the legacy of mindful human-nature relationship they left behind.
In 1973, then-Oregon Governor Tom McCall and the Oregon Legislature approved the purchase of over 3,500 acres to create Mt. Pisgah State Park, and subsequently Buford Park. City resources and volunteer help continue to help restore the now-endangered ecosystem of Oak Savanna and Oak Woodland habitat.
______________________________________________________

ABOUT THE TEACHER:

Justin Michelson is a Eugene-area meditation and mindfulness teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition. He teaches regularly at 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.
______________________________________________________

LOCATION DETAILS: (to the site from Eugene, OR.)

Directions to the main Buford Park Parking Lot, starting from 30th avenue and I-5.
Follow Franklin Blvd (on the east side of I-5) north, briefly. Then take a right after the Shell gas station onto Franklin Blvd East. Follow for a 1/4 mile, and take a left onto Seavey Loop Rd. Follow Seavey Loop for 2 miles until a bridge spanning the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. Stay left, and proceed a 1/4 mile to a gravel parking area on your left. We will meet there!
____________________________________________________

HOSTS:
This event is hosted by Nature’s Heart and Eugene Insight Meditation Center (EIMC), located in Eugene, OR at 1645 Oak St. Eugene Insight meets every Sunday evening (now online on Zoom) to practice and share the Dharma from 6:30-8:00pm. Join us!

less details..