Landing: Bringing Ourselves Back Home

Most of us spend a great deal of time in our minds and we sometimes lose connection with our nature as embodied beings. When we relax our thinking minds we give ourselves the space to re-inhabit our bodies and allow them to act as portals that guide us to connect more deeply with the living world in the present moment.

We invite you to set aside this day to land back in your awareness of your place in the natural world. Throughout the day we will work with nature as an anchor. Guided practices will support you to connect to and integrate her powerful energies, and help you use your senses to land in your body and remember that you are not separate from Earth and its inhabitants; you are an integral part of the whole.

We will hold noble silence for the day - inviting mindful and intentional speech only as needed.

There will be time for both group and solo practice. Sangha, the Sanskrit word for community, creates an opportunity to dive deeply within ourselves while remaining in supportive connection with others. Practicing with others is known to enhance the quality and depth of practice and the ability to feel grounded and connected while being still and inquisitive with oneself.

Schedule:

9am - Arrive, settle

9:30am - Opening circle and orientation to the land

10am - Seated/Laying down guided practice

10:45am - Walking meditation through the forest

12pm - Mindful Eating - silent lunch

1pm - Forest Bathing

2:30pm - Movement practice

3:45pm - Seated/Laying down guided practice

3:45pm - Closing Circle - Mindful speech - Breaking the silence, sharing, reflections

5pm - Pack up and departure

Please bring:

Lunch and snacks

Water

Hiking shoes

A blanket to sit on

Meditation props - cushion/seat/camping chair (optional)

Sunscreen, hat, bug spray (as needed)

Layers

Cost - By donation/Dana. Dana is the practice of giving in Buddhism; please give according to your means.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the Quw’utsun Tribes

Maximum 12 participants - Tickets are first come, first serve

In the event of rain, we will adapt and meet at a nearby indoor location.

The Land:

The Land is on the unceded territory of the Quw’utsun people in the Koksilah Valley. The Land meets the Trans-Canada trail, a 20 minute walk from the Kinsol Trestle and the Koksilah River.

About one hour's drive from Victoria and 20 minutes outside of Duncan, The Land is 10 acres, with about one acre cleared. The rest is forested and relatively wild.

While there is an outhouse, at this time there are no other structures on The Land for shelter. We will spend most of our time in the forest but prepared to be in the elements.

Your Guides:

Kalen Colson (they/them) is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, a guide with the Consciousness Explorers Club and a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Kalen has been guiding practices and holding group classes and retreats for 8 years. They work with the intersections of meditation, social justice and psychology. For more information about Kalen visit: www.pivotintoharmony.com

Colleen Browne (she/her) was introduced to meditation during her first yoga teacher training nearly 15 years ago and ended up spending the best part of 3 years living at Tassajara Zen Center (part of San Francisco Zen Center), sitting many hours of zazen (zen meditation) and consciously living and working with fellow practitioners in community. She is a certified Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga Teacher and hosts a weekly meditation gathering at her home in Shawnigan Lake.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Duncan, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Duncan.