We are the Earth – mindfulness retreat in nature
26 September – 1 October 2024
Mindfulness retreat in nature
with Bar Zecharya
at Pardesa practice center in northern Italy
We are here to awaken from the illusion of separateness
Thich Nhat Hanh
Opening up to nature nourishes us on so many levels. We breathe a different sense of time and scale, we recognize that life exists outside of our daily concerns, and that diversity and difference is part of the beauty and richness of life. For so many years we’ve been taught to identify as individuals, with our gender, national, religious and other identities, and yet nature has an important lesson for us: We are the Earth.
In the beautiful environment of Pardesa practice center in northern Italy, we’ll co-create a daily atmosphere of mindfulness practice in the tradition of Plum Village. We’ll share sitting and walking meditation outdoors, Dharma talks, mindful eating, sharing circles, time in nature, and co-participation in the regeneration of an ecosystem with permaculture activities. As part of a contemplative lifestyle, we’ll experiment two complementary energies in our daily schedule: 12 hours of “sun energy”, where we work, speak, share and receive instruction in Dharma and permaculture, followed by 12 hours of “moon energy”, where we practice silence – even in our rooms – and learn to connect to ourselves and to our environment on a non-verbal level.
No specific skills or experience are required. Retreatants are expected to participate fully in the community life of the practice center. This includes arriving on time for activities and respecting the practices of silence, meditation and sharing. All these elements enrich and are an integral part of our retreat experience.
The retreat will be conducted in English.
This retreat is fully booked. Thank you to everyone who registered.
Daily schedule
The schedule may vary. As an example:
6:00 am Wake up
6:30 am Formal morning meditation
7:30 am Breakfast
8:45 am Service for the community
10:00 am Dharma talk
11.00 am Walking meditation
12:30 pm Mindful lunch
2:30 pm Deep relaxation
3:30 pm Walking meditation
4:30 pm Taking care of the Earth
6:30 pm Mindful dinner
8:00 pm formal evening meditation
noble silence (until 8:45 am the following day)
Our teacher
Bar Zecharya, caretaker of Pardesa, Dharma teacher and permaculturist, has practiced mindfulness and applied meditation for over twenty-five years, and for more than fifteen years has facilitated groups in Italy, Israel and Palestine. Bar discovered permaculture in 2014 and since then has made interconnection with the Earth and practical care for ecosystems the center of his spiritual path. Topics dear to him include: relating to the Earth and the climate crisis; practicing in contexts and moments of conflict; understanding and working with the mind, the ego and consciousness; living our deepest aspiration; and the art of stopping and healing.
Practical information and retreat cost
The retreat will take place from Thursday 26 September (arrival at 4:30 pm) until Tuesday 1 October (departure at 1:00 pm).
Late arrivals or early departures are not allowed, in order to care for the energy of the group and the retreat.
Retreat costs:
- Registration by 1 August: €250, with a reduction of €50 for those under 30 years of age.
- Registration after 1 August: €330
- Registration closes: 10 September
The retreat cost includes organization and meals. At the conclusion of the retreat it will be possible to offer dana, the practice of generosity, for the teaching and practice received.
Lodging cost
Lodging is available on-site, either camping (€5/night), dormitory (€15/night), or double room (€30/night) according to availability. The rooms are equipped with bunk beds and are single-sex. For those who are not yet members of the non-profit association “La Natura della Mente” that manages the retreat, the annual membership fee is €13.
Those with limited economic possibilities are invited to contact us directly and we will do our best to accomodate.
Registration and more information
This retreat is fully booked. Thank you to everyone who registered.
For more information: info@lanaturadellamente.it