Awaken In Nature Autumn Daylong Mindfulness Retreat
Since the beginning of 2023, Patch of Heaven Sanctuary has welcomed nature enthusiasts, mindfulness practitioners, and individuals seeking solace and rejuvenation to engage in a day of quiet reflection amid the sanctuary’s tranquil surroundings. This retreat offers a sacred space for attendees to explore mindfulness practices and find respite from their busy lives.
Suzanne Jewell, the Chief Experience Officer, envisioned a “Signature Series” of quarterly retreats, each designed to honor the changing seasons and the traditions of meditation centers worldwide. These events encourage participants to take a day away—drawing inspiration from her own journey of practicing Vows of Refuge.
Awaken In Nature: Autumn Daylong Mindfulness Retreat
The Autumn Daylong Mindfulness Retreat invites participants to fully disconnect from the fast pace of city life and immerse themselves in the concept of “slow living.” The first step in this transformative experience is to leave behind technology:
Disconnect to Reconnect
Upon arrival, participants are encouraged to drop off their phones and step away from the distractions of modern life.
Setting Intentions
The day begins with a chance to pause and reflect at the Intention Board, known as the “sankalpa,” where attendees can articulate their aspirations for the day and the direction they wish to incline their hearts.
Take Your Seat
Participants will be greeted with specially selected jewel-toned meditation cushions, personal journals, unique Heart Stones, and color-coordinated yoga mats, all intended to create a supportive environment for mindfulness practice.
This unique offering aims to cultivate a community of practitioners who are drawn to nature and committed to living harmoniously within the cycle of life. The retreat provides an opportunity to explore ancient meditation and contemplation practices that have stood the test of time.
Grounded in 2,600 years of insight (vipassana) and present-moment awareness, the retreat guides participants to set aside the chaos of everyday life and attune themselves to the calming rhythms of nature that permeate the sanctuary’s 20-acre forest preserve.
The Power of Mindfulness in Nature
Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports the benefits of mindfulness in nature, showing significant reductions in anxiety and increases in calm. While many understand that a simple walk in nature can be soothing, few know how to truly experience nature in its purest form.
Throughout the day, attendees will learn about the origins of earth-focused awareness practices and delve into the neuroscience behind anxiety. They will also discover the Mindful Pocket Park’s “deep dive” into techniques for paying attention with all five senses—an approach known as P.A.W.S. (Pay Attention With Your Senses). By learning to engage with their surroundings through sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste, participants will awaken to the joys of nature, including the melodies of birdsong, the gentle caress of a breeze, and the uplifting sounds from the chimes in the Sound Garden.
The sacred experience also includes opportunities for participants to offer prayers at the Tibetan Prayer Wheel in the Touch Garden, further deepening their connection to the environment.
Led by trained instructors in mindfulness, yoga, resilience, and sound healing, this retreat offers attendees first-hand insights into the benefits of heightened awareness, concentration, meditation, and contemplation. As participants explore soothing spaces and savor mindful moments together, they will leave with renewed clarity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world and their place within it.
Don’t miss this chance to reset, reconnect, and immerse yourself in the healing power of nature. Reserve your spot today for this enriching and transformative experience!
