The Great Silence: Mindfulness and Non-Duality in Nature

This week-long nature retreat invites participants into a deep experience of stillness, presence, and the wisdom of the natural world. Set among forests, meadows, and open sky, it offers a chance to step away from digital distractions and settle into a quieter rhythm that reflects the calm of the surrounding hills. Daily meditation, gentle movement, and silent walks along Drala’s trails support a gradually deepening awareness of connection with the beauty and life around us.

Drawing on both Mindfulness and Non-Dual approaches, the retreat explores the understanding that our usual sense of separation from nature and from one another is only the surface of experience. Through dialogue sessions and meditations—some guided, all held outdoors when weather allows—participants are invited to rest in the undivided consciousness of who they truly are. Nature is an essential part of this process, with each birdcall, breeze, and tree pointing back to the seamless field of awareness. Whether you are an experienced meditator or completely new to retreat practice, this week offers a rare opportunity to experience meditation not simply as a technique, but as the natural expression of being.

Who is this retreat for?

Everyone is welcome. Beginners will receive plenty of instruction and support, while more experienced participants can deepen their exploration of what they already know and practice.

This retreat is ideal for those who enjoy sitting and walking in nature. Participants will hike the trails and move between different parts of the Drala campus, spending as much time outdoors as weather permits.

What will participants get out of this retreat?

Participants can expect to leave with a deep sense of inner calm and a greater ability to remain present in everyday life. Extended periods of quiet, combined with meditation and immersion in nature, can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and renew the capacity to meet daily challenges with more ease. The simple rhythm of the days—meals, movement, walking, and sitting—may also inspire the creation or renewal of a personal meditation practice at home.

The retreat can also support a subtle shift in identity. Participants often describe moments of spacious awareness in which the usual sense of “me in the world” softens, revealing a direct experience of oneness with everything. This kind of experience can touch the core of how we live, deepening compassion, easing feelings of isolation, and reminding us that this wholeness is always present, even in the midst of ordinary life.

Day 1

Sunday, September 13th: Welcome to the Land

2:00 – 5:00 pm Arrival and Settling In

5:30 – 6:00 pm Drala Orientation

6:00 – 7:00 pm Dinner

7:00 – 9:00 pm Retreat Opening, Evening Meditation and Talk Around the Campfire

Days 2-6

Monday-Friday, September 14th – 18th: Welcome to the Retreat

6:15 – 7:00 am – Morning Meditation (Optional)

7:15 – 7:45 am Qi Gong (Optional)

8:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast and Pack Up Lunch

9:45 – 2:30 pm Instructions, Sitting and Walking Out on Trails, Lunch, etc.

2:30 – 4:45 pm Small Groups, Free Time

5:00 – 5:45 pm Afternoon Meditation

6:00 – 6:45 pm Dinner

7:00 – 9:00 pm Evening Meditation and Talk Around the Campfire

Day 7

Saturday, September 19th: End of the Retreat

6:15 – 7:00 am – Morning Meditation (Optional)

7:00 – 8:00 am – Pack Up Rooms

8:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast and Pack Up Lunch

9:45 – 12:30 pm Program Session and Close Retreat

12:30 – 12:35 pm DMC Moment of Appreciation

12:45 – 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure

Donation Based Tuition

This retreat is offered on a dana basis for the teachers. Rooted in the time of Buddha, dana is an ancient gift economy built on generosity, reciprocity, and trust in community. It reflects the Buddhist understanding that generosity opens the heart, strengthens connection with others, and helps keep the teachings alive. The registration fee covers lodging and meals only. At the end of the retreat, participants will have the opportunity to offer dana directly to the teachers. The suggested range is $500–$1,000, though any amount is welcome and deeply appreciated.