Nature Immersion: The Forest as Companion - Relationships, Reciprocity, and Justice in the Outdoors

Step into the forest as if entering a sacred conversation—one that listens as much as it speaks.

This retreat invites you into a deep communion with the natural world and one another—through forest bathing (shinrin yoku), community practices, outdoor spiritual rituals, and nature-inspired creativity. Together, we’ll immerse ourselves in nature, as we wander at a gentle pace, guided by slow and playful encounters with the forest that foster reciprocal relationships. Along the way, we’ll explore how nature stirs creativity and discernment, gather for evening vespers of birdsong and poetry, engage in dialogue around eco-emancipation and earth-healing, and rest in a circle of trust, care, and curiosity.

The retreat offers a rhythm of contemplation held in community—with ourselves, with one another, and with the living earth. Mornings begin with guided meditation, inviting presence and grounding; evenings close with reflection and shared attunement.

At the heart of the retreat is the practice of forest bathing, a series of gentle invitations that awaken our senses and remind us of the aliveness in all things. Moving with intention and mindfulness, we deepen our awareness of both living and non-living beings, cultivating appreciation for their quiet intelligence. Forest bathing reflects humanity’s timeless relationship with the more-than-human world and the well-being we draw from it.

Tuesday
3:00–5:00 pm Arrival
6:00–7:00 Dinner
7:00–8:30 Welcome and introductions

Wednesday – Saturday*
7:00 am (optional) Morning contemplative practice – meditation, outdoor sit
8:00–9:00 Breakfast
9:00–12:00 Nature companionship experience/forest bathing**
12:00–1:00 Lunch
1:15–3:00 Nature-informed creativity (Wed + Fri)
3:00–5:00 Siesta (nap), intentional community building, outdoor sit, hike
5:00–5:40 Birdsong and poetry vespers
6:00–6:45 Dinner
7:00–8:00 Community building through reflective practices, evening ritual, dedication/commitment

Sunday
7:00 am:(optional) Morning contemplative practice – meditation, outdoor sit
8:00–9:00 Breakfast
9:00–10:15 Nature companionship experience/forest bathing
10:30–11:30 Birdsong and poetry terce and closing

11:30 Checkout

*This schedule may change because we want to be open to what might be emerging within our group. We will also be on forest time, so please hold the schedule loosely.

**During the morning nature companionship experiences, we will meet rain or shine. It may make sense to do this in the afternoon, in which case we will make the announcement the day before.