Walking on Sacred Earth: Awakening to Intimacy with the Natural World

E-Courses

May 5 – May 30

Led by Nancy Rowe, Mary Ann Brussat

Most of us have felt Spirit’s whisper among the trees, by the ocean, or in relation to an animal or plant. These experiences often change us, inspire us, or clarify our thinking. Sometimes these moments of grace awaken us and transform our lives; we remember them forever.

“Walking on Sacred Earth,” an Online Retreat and Practice Circle, provides guided opportunities for deepening our intimacy with the natural world. When we see all of life as sacred, we also experience ourselves as part of the web of life in relationship with all beings. We are encouraged to establish a respectful connection with the Earth community so that we can move into a just and sustainable way of being on the planet. This is the goal of the movement known as eco-spirituality.

This four-week contemplative retreat will help you learn this way of awakening to nature, experiencing the natural world as fully alive and spiritually radiant. It is a way of intention, reciprocity, and intimacy.

During our time together we will explore and connect with the natural world within our own communities. We will share stories, spend time outdoors, be inspired by visual and written images of nature, and cultivate our ability to listen more deeply to our surroundings. This retreat invites us to slow down and simply experience the natural world with open awareness. We are invited into silence, stillness, deep listening, curiosity, and awe.

“Walking on Sacred Earth” will run from May 5 – May 30. Here’s what you can expect during this e-course:

• You will receive a total of 12 Emails which will be delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each will contain the day’s teaching and practices, video and/or audio messages, and a link to a YouTube video to bring you a “moment of awe.”

• Each week will focus on a theme:
Week 1: Sense of Place/Extraordinary Experiences in Nature
Week 2: Cultivating Intimacy with the Nature World: I-Thou Relationship
Week 3: Cultivating Intimacy with the Natural World: Relationship and Interconnection
Week 4: Nourishing Our Earth Community

• Suggested practices will be designed to encourage a contemplative engagement with nature. They will include journaling about your own history and experiences in nature, reading nature poetry, using guided meditations to be present where you are, and doing some simple spiritual earth practices. Each Friday you will be encouraged to choose an “intentional walk” outdoors for the next week.

• You will also have an opportunity to share and connect with others from around the planet in the online Practice Circle, a private forum open 24/7.

Our leader for this eco-spirituality retreat is Nancy Rowe, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Global Master’s Program at Sofia University, formerly the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her teaching, writing, workshops, retreats, and presentations focus on Earth-based spirituality and the power of imagination. Nancy also teaches a course entitled “Choosing a Spiritual Practice” with the Center for Sacred Studies, an Earth-based ministerial program where she was ordained.

We invite you to join us and Nancy as we explore together the riches of a spiritual path rooted in deep connection with sacred Earth. To register, click on the “Subscribe to E-Course” button below.