Awake in the Wild: Awakening in Nature Meditation Retreat (254R23) - On Land
Mark Coleman, MA, devon hase, Kirsten Rudestam and Marjolein Janssen
May 30 - June 4, 2023
Registration open until 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on May 30, 2023. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early.
Interested in Commuting to the retreat? – learn more below.
RETREAT TO BE HELD ON THE LAND!
Highly Recommended: Completion of at least one 5-night Vipassana (Insight)/Mindfulness residential retreat.
Description:
Like the Buddha, people for millennia have sought refuge, clarity, and wisdom in nature. On this silent, outdoor retreat in the serenity and beauty of the hills and meadows at Spirit Rock, we explore potent awareness and sensory-based meditations that open us to insight, interconnection, and peace.
On this retreat, we will cultivate a receptive, embodied quality of attention. This awareness supports learning from nature’s teachings on impermanence, the illusion of our separateness, and the interdependence of all life. We will also explore how nature evokes not only profound insight but also brings forth the capacity for resilience and inspired action in these ecologically-challenging times.
There will be nature-based sitting and walking practice, Dharma talks, and group meetings, as well as time to explore the beauty of nature with contemplative presence both alone and in community. Be prepared for unexpected delight, mystery, silence, and illumination.
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Please note: During much of this retreat we will practice together outside in the company of the natural world. There will be an option of moving indoors if inclement weather should be present. Early morning and late evening practices will mostly be indoors (unless you choose to sit outdoors).
This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.
Financial Details
Residential Retreat Sliding Scale: $275-$2600, PLUS a donation to the teacher(s).
Supporter Rate w/guaranteed single room – $2600
Benefactor Rate – $2050
Sustainer Rate – $1575
BASE – $1025
Reduced Rate – $650
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna, or Young Adult) – $275
Scholarship offerings: We have returned to our pre-pandemic scholarship options and policies. All scholarship rates require a minimum fee ($55/night). Scholarships are limited to TWO per calendar year for on-land retreats. And, while we are not able to offer “pay what you can”-type of scholarships for in-person retreats, they are still available for online offerings as space allows.
Hemera Fellowships for Residential Retreats – are you eligible and a first-time retreatant? Learn more details…
Room Occupancy Update*: We have returned to double and single occupancy rooms. Many of our rooms are single occupancy (only 16 of 80 rooms are double occupancy). We have also returned to offering a “guaranteed single room” rate and these will be limited (16). This rate guarantees a single room while helping to support scholarships and all we do here at Spirit Rock. The remaining single rooms are not exclusive to the top end of the sliding scale; however, they are initially prioritized for those with serious medical needs.
*Subject to change depending upon COVID-19 situation.
IMPORTANT – Details on our current COVID Safety Protocols for In-person Retreats.
Cancellation Policy for Residential Retreats:
Standard Cancellation Fee Schedule:
- $100 On or before 8 weeks
- $175 4-8 weeks before
- $300 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
Scholarship Rates (and Commuter) Cancellation Fees:
- $75 On or before 8 weeks
- $100 4-8 weeks before
- $200 2-4 weeks before
- No refunds as of 2 weeks before
*Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family
Retreat Commuter Option:
The retreat commuter option will only become available once the retreat is full with a waitlist.
Prerequisite to Attend as a Commuter:
You must have attended at least one 7-night or two 5-night silent, Insight (vipassanā) meditation residential retreats PRIOR to attending this retreat.
What is a Retreat Commuter?
A retreat commuter is a practitioner who attends a full residential retreat, including all meals, but they are not provided with overnight accommodations. Instead practitioners stay in their own home or find local accommodations. A communal resting area is provided during the day while on campus for the retreat. The retreat commuter is expected to attend the entire retreat just like residential retreatants. Special reduced rates are listed below for retreat commuters
If you have questions about being a retreat commuter, please email Registration@spiritrock.org
Commuter Sliding Scale:
Benefactor – $1025
Sustainer – $770
Base- $515
About the Teachers

Mark Coleman, MA
Mark Coleman, MA, has a master’s in Clinical Psychology and has trained extensively in the Buddhist tradition, both in the Insight meditation and in the Dzogchen tradition. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught insight meditation retreats since 1997. Mark is a life-long nature lover and is passionate about […]
Learn more about Mark Coleman, MA
devon hase
devon hase is empowered to teach in the Insight and Vajrayana traditions of Western Buddhism. Since discovering meditation in 2000, she has put Dharma and community at the center of her life: she spent a decade bringing mindfulness to high school and college classrooms before entering several years of silent, solitary retreat in the mountains […]
Learn more about devon hase
Kirsten Rudestam
Kirsten’s teaching and facilitation is dedicated to life, the earth and alignment with the ground of being. She believes that practices of (re)connection are crucial in maintaining our capacity to face and respond to ecological loss and to embrace our inherent interbeing. Kirsten holds a PhD in environmental sociology from the University of California, Santa […]
Learn more about Kirsten Rudestam
Marjolein Janssen
Marjolein (pronunciation “Mar-yo-line”) Janssen is originally from the Netherlands. Since 2011 she has been practicing insight meditation intensively in Europe, the US, as well as Myanmar, where she was ordained as a Buddhist nun. Marjolein brings both formal practice and practice in daily life to her teachings. She seeks to offer a practical approach to […]
Learn more about Marjolein JanssenCategories : Multi-day, On-land, Residential, Retreat