“Knowing that you love the earth changes you,
activates you to defend and protect and celebrate.
But when you feel that the earth loves you in return,
that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street
into a sacred bond.”
Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer (Citizen Potawatomi Nation)
Forests & Ocean of Point Reyes National Seashore
8 days total, including solo day
Attending to the Faces of Nature opens us to this sacred bond with all of life.
Nature’s various faces of fecundidty, death and decay, resilience, and awe each teach us about our human nature. They help us
Come to know ourselves as part of Nature again . . .
Listen for our True Selves among the oaks and the ocean . . .
Restore our human relationships amid hawks and egrets . . .
Collaborate toward society’s justice in the Redwoods and dunes . . .
Attune to the whole of creation in ways that regenerate all of life.
When we resonate with the Earth, we learn what home is – within and among all things – so that belonging becomes second nature.
And our capacity to love, even in the face of extraordinary grief and brokenness, magnifies.
Re-membering in our bodies that we are a human face of Nature opens us to a deeper path of devotion and service.
Listening to Nature invites us
to attune to a Sacred Voice,
to notice the Presence among us,
to receive the Power of Love revealed through creation.
We step away from other people into the companionship of Nature to hear afresh the Mystery calling to us.
Retreat Format
This Faces of Nature retreat provides spiritual teaching in community, daily practices to sink into the wisdom of Nature’s interconnectedness, solitude, small group reflection, and delicious food – all in a gorgeous setting, where human-nature kinship thrives.
The teachings, practices, and reflections lead up to the option for a full day of solitude in Nature – from sunrise to sunset, fasting from food and human companionship.
Turning toward the varied faces of Nature offers hope for the Earth, for personal and relational wholeness and healing, for systems of equity to shape our world, and for deepened devotion to Love.
Shared learning ~ small group exploring ~ generous solo time with the Earth ~ deepening into the Mystery
Retreat Details:
St. Columba’s Retreat House, Inverness, CA
Sunday, June 13 at 7 pm – Sunday, June 20 at 1 pm, 2027
Retreat registration includes housing and organic, vegetarian meals, $1,500; Limited space for commuters: retreat and meals, $800. Retreat staff facilitates kitchen community-building in shared meal preparation.
For adults of all ages. Capacity for mobility will influence each participant’s level of involvement and depth of remoteness in Nature. All abilities welcome. Retreat maximum of 18 participants.
To apply, write a letter of intention, naming: what draws you to the Faces of Nature retreat at this time in your life? What are your current inner and/or outer experiences that draw you toward listening for the Sacred in Nature? The letter of intention is due by January 15, 2027, and we will reply to you no later than January 31. Please submit your letter of intent to Nancy Wiens at nsw333(at)gmail.com.
Leaders: Nancy Wiens, Sam Yates, and Scott Hardin-Nieri
The kind of change we are after is cellular as well as institutional, is personal and intimate, is collective as well as cultural. We are making love synonymous with justice. ~Prentis Hemphill |