The Return to Wholeness ~ a 5 day wilderness meditation immersion

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IMMERSION DATES:
June 13th – 17th, 2024
Thursday 1:00pm – Monday 5:00pm

***Group size will be limited to 25 people – reserve your spot soon!
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EQUITY AND SAFETY:

We are aware that this group is led and often attended primarily by people who occupy identities of privilege; often predominantly white, settler (people who are not indigenous to the lands they live upon) and cisgender (people whose gender corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth). We want to invite shared responsibility for cultivating and maintaining a safe(r), inclusive, and equitable space for all and ask each of you (especially white and cisgender folk) to engage in any preparation needed for you to do to show up in practice with people occupying other identities.

(Courtesy of Darcy Otto and Youth Passageways.)
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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 tent for our cooks and participant-dining, and beautiful areas for personal camping, river 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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RETREAT OVERVIEW: (see below for detailed retreat schedule)

Each day offers guided sitting and walking meditations, gentle yoga, dharma talks with Q&A, and nature explorations – as well as personal time for rest and rejuvenation. In addition, each participant will meet one-one with the teacher to discuss their 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.

We hold the majority of the retreat in “noble silence”, honoring the spirit of inward contemplation and presence.
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TESTIMONIALS:

“The space you heartfully chose for the retreat was and is beyond magical, and exactly what my being was in need of. Every aspect of the Nature’s Heart Retreat felt like meditation, from walking, to seeing, and eating, and of course, breathing, and has followed me back into the society that I am a part of. Brushing my teeth is an experience now, and I am just beyond grateful for the opportunity to slow down enough to notice the details of it all, and the hilarious thread of thought that I am now able to appreciate and recognize in the midst of it all.”
– Rivka Abrahmson, Nature’s Heart 5 day .

“We walked in silence through ancient groves and high mountains to a spacious camp set along the edges of a wide sedge grass meadow. The meals were unbelievable. Fresh, organic, and sourced from local farms. Tastefully prepared with love. Yet, among this incredible natural bounty Justin delivered Dharma talks that were grounded and accessible. He has found ways to express the ancient wisdoms of the Buddha that are applicable to our own lives here and now, in this different time and culture. To drink in the nature of oneself day after day in community with others of like mind is a transformative experience.”
– Zachary Dolan, Nature’s Heart 5 day

“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. Jackie supported us with some of the tastiest vegan meals I’ve eaten in a long time; 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! Thank you Nature’s Heart Retreat!
– Jason-sai Gamble, Nature’s Heart 5 day
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FEES and DONATIONS: (work trade and scholarships available below)

Five days of Dharma (teachings, solo nature contemplation, guided meditation, group reflection), Organic Meals, and Camping accommodations.

***EARLY-BIRD ends April 15th (price raises $50 after).
***A percentage of donations are paid forward to organizations working toward Environmental Justice.

1) ORGANIZATION FEE: $300 – $500 ***Please pay the highest amount you can afford

$300 – SUBSIDIZED (Low income and BIPOC only. This price is subsidized by other participants or the organization)

$400 – SUSTAINING (This amount sustains the basic operations of the organization. If this was the only price and you could still pay it, please do.)

$500 – 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, food, 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 (see below)

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 length. However, sincerely, ANY amount is accepted.

***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 in the checkout at the bottom of the page! If you need a special arrangement, please email [email protected].

Deposit of half the organization fee is due to reserve your spot. Full payment due 1 month prior to the event. Payment plans accepted. See cancellation policy below.
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WORK TRADE: These positions require firm commitment and follow-through. Please fill out the application forms underneath the appropriate position. Each position is a different trade. Direct any questions to [email protected].

1) Skilled Kitchen Assistant
This position requires a total of approximately 15hrs of focused work during the retreat. This equates to meal-prep for 3 lunches or dinner PLUS clean-shift oversight for 3 meals. This means that you will miss most of the session during which you’re doing meal-prep. Please email [email protected] or fill the following form at the following link (coming soon).

2) Group Camp Take-down
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)

3) Outreach and Registration Assistant (at least 1 month prior)
This position involves working with Nature’s Heart to tell more people about our programs through various online and in-person methods. It provides anywhere from a half to full trade for the event. Please fill out the application form at the following link: (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.

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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GENERAL RETREAT SCHEDULE:

The overall retreat and each day has a consciously designed flow: The mornings have a consistent, grounding structure, then opening to more spacious afternoon explorations, and finally relaxing into reflective evenings around the fire and under the stars. Likewise, the tighter structure of the first day gives way to more flex time in the following days as we begin to feel more at home in ourselves and on the land.

See detailed schedule in the section before payment.
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PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE ENCOURAGED:

Due to the extended length and remote location of this retreat, we encourage all attendees to have previous meditation retreat and camping experience.
Arrangements can be made for help carrying gear. Let us know if you’d like some help! : )
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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 meaning.

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 and 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 a tiny home in Fall Creek, OR, from where he leads retreats, runs a native plant 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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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!
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OTHER DETAILS:

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 the main three days of the retreat (Friday/Saturday/Sunday), with the exception of individual check-ins with the teacher, practical speech during volunteer jobs, and nightly sharing circles (and of course, any emergencies). However, 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 at the private land no later than 2:00pm on Thursday. Have all your gear ready to go, and be prepared to leave your car until Monday 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: We will cook three simple, healthy meals/day. Vegetarian and meat options will be available. Lunch will be the biggest meal, with breakfast and dinner being lighter. Please let us know of any dietary requirements, and feel free to bring your own supplementary snacks, if needed. Also, please bring your own utensils and dishware!

Filtered water will be pumped and provided for the camp. Please bring your water bottle!
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RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST:

Backpack (Please be prepared to bring all of gear in a single 1/2mile trip into the camp. Let us know if you need help.)
Small day-pack for day-hikes
Small 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
Extra Socks
Rain jacket, and light rain-pants
Sleeping Bag (warm) and Sleeping Pad
Personal dishware & utensils (IMPORTANT) – plate, bowl, fork, spoon, knife. (Please bring these items in a small separate bag or container that can be placed in a tote designated in the kitchen area)
Special or supplemental foods/medications (IMPORTANT – storage available in kitchen)
Fruit Donation (for breakfast/snacks)
Sunscreen, Sunhat, Lip balm, and Sunglasses
Bugspray
Personal toiletry 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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INSPIRATION:

A poem by Meister Eckhart entitled “When I Was The Forest”

When I was the stream, when I was the
forest, when I was still the field
when I was every hoof, foot,
fin and wing, when I
was the sky itself,
no one ever asked me did I have a purpose, no one ever
wondered was there anything I might need,
for there was nothing
I could not love.
It was when I left all we once were that
the agony began, the fear and questions came,
and I wept, I wept. And tears
I had never known before.
So I returned to the river, I returned to
the mountains. I asked for their hand in marriage again,
I begged—I begged to wed every object and creature,
and when they accepted,
God was ever present in my arms.
And He did not say,
“Where have you
been?”
For then I knew my soul—every soul—
has always held
Him.When I Was The Forest
When I was the stream, when I was the
forest, when I was still the field
when I was every hoof, foot,
fin and wing, when I
was the sky itself,
no one ever asked me did I have a purpose, no one ever
wondered was there anything I might need,
for there was nothing
I could not love.
It was when I left all we once were that
the agony began, the fear and questions came,
and I wept, I wept. And tears
I had never known before.
So I returned to the river, I returned to
the mountains. I asked for their hand in marriage again,
I begged—I begged to wed every object and creature,
and when they accepted,
God was ever present in my arms.
And He did not say,
“Where have you
been?”
For then I knew my soul—every soul—
has always held
Him.

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