Call of the Forest Retreat: Nature as Spiritual Teacher

The forest has many facets, just like us – places of strength and beauty, new growth, succulent fullness, thickets, swampland and dead wood. It is a rich sacred ‘scripture’ of the senses, inviting us to learn more about our own inner landscape by exploring outer terrain. Outdoor time in the forest at Five Oaks will interweave with quiet contemplation, group conversation, creative activity and gentle movement. Stories, myths and our experiences will help us to chronicle the forest teachings.

During this retreat we will: 

• explore and understand nature as “sacred scripture”
• seek to notice how the external landscape can reflect our inner landscape
• experience the spiritual gifts of nature through our senses by being outdoors and through contemplation, simple movement, music, and creativity
• slow down and practice gratitude for ourselves, each other and creation in the beauty of the land at Five Oaks.

Dress for the weather and walking outdoors; bring a portable chair and bug repellent. Walkingsticks and journals are welcome.

Facilitator: 

Catherine Maine, spiritual director, is a staff member of the Ontario Jubilee Program in Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction, located at Five Oaks. She enjoys guiding people onto a path toward wholeness in body, mind and spirit where the inner and outerlandscapes intersect.

Catherine has taught Sacred Circle Dancing since 1998 and is a Veriditas-certified labyrinth facilitator. She has conducted groups and retreats since 1996. She led Wisdom of the Seasons retreats for six years in Kitchener, helping women to connect with themselves, others and nature through times of silent contemplation, gentle movement, labyrinth walking and sharing.

Visit her website at www.stillpointdancing.com

For a printable flyer for this program, click here.