Awakening
Through
Nature
Wisdom Teachings from the Natural World
For meditators who sense their practice is ready to come alive—beyond the cushion and into the Earth itself.
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"The combination of Buddhist wisdom and nature connection was exactly what I needed. Mark holds this work with such depth and care. I'm forever grateful."
— Student, Marin County, CA
Watch the Introduction
See What Awaits
The Transformation
The Practice Our
Moment
Is Asking For
Many dedicated practitioners today feel something quietly unsettling:
Mindfulness works.
But it no longer feels fully alive.
You May Notice
- Your practice feels contained to a room, a cushion, or a screen
- Mindfulness has become effortful instead of nourishing
- You long for deeper aliveness—not just stress reduction
- You care about the ecological moment, yet your practice feels separate from it
We spend our days indoors, managing life through devices. Even spiritual practice can become another mental exercise—another thing to optimize.
But the Buddha did not awaken indoors.
He awakened under a tree.
This immersion is an invitation to return your practice to its original ground—the living world.
Not to abandon your inner life.
But to let the Earth participate in it.
It is time to open your eyes—and your practice—to what has always been here.
How This Immersion Transforms Your Practice
Over six months, four essential shifts unfold through steady practice on the land.
In nature, the body remembers how to settle. Participants often report less anxiety, deeper rest, and mindfulness that feels nourishing again.
When the natural world becomes your mindfulness hall, presence stabilizes naturally. Practice shifts from performance to participation.
You experience interdependence directly—with the Earth and with a committed community of practitioners.
By practicing outdoors, you cultivate a steadiness that travels with you—wherever you live.
The Curriculum
Course Journey
Each month builds upon the last, weaving together ancient Buddhist wisdom with the living teachings of the natural world.
6 Months
Deep, sustained practice
6 Core Teachings
One theme per month
Monthly Zoom
Reflection & practice support
Nature-Based
Practice outdoors
Curated Readings
Poets, teachers, elders
Earth Sangha
Join a community of nature practitioners
Dancing with Life
Impermanence & cycles of birth and death
We begin where all wisdom traditions begin: with the truth of impermanence. In nature, this isn't a concept—it's an experience. Watch the clouds, the seasons, the tides. Nothing stays. And in that constant change, there's an invitation to let go, to flow, to dance.
Practices Will Include
- Sit spot practice with attention to change
- Walking meditation observing flux
- Journaling on impermanence in daily life
Readings
- 'Awake in the Wild' Chapter 1-2
- Selected poems by Mary Oliver
Everything Is Connected
Dependent arising in the natural world
The myth of separation dissolves when we look closely. The trees exhale becomes our inhale. The water in your body once fell as rain. Interdependence isn't poetic metaphor—it's biological reality. This month we practice, remembering and reconnecting.
Practices Will Include
- Meditation on interdependence
- Elements meditation
- Understanding the web of connections in your environment
Readings
- Robin Wall Kimmerer excerpts
- David Abram
Being Nothing & Everything
Exploring the nature of self outdoors
Who are you when you stop telling the story? In nature, the boundaries of self become porous. We practice dissolving into the larger body of the earth—not to lose ourselves, but to find out what we really are.
Practices Will Include
- Boundless awareness meditation
- Silent solo time in nature
- Inquiry into 'who is aware?'
Readings
- Thich Nhat Hanh on interbeing
- Achaan Buddhadasa excerpts
We Are Kin
Interconnection & reciprocity with the more-than-human world
Indigenous wisdom traditions around the world speak of kinship with all beings. This month, we explore what it means to treat rocks, trees, and rivers as relatives—and to give back to the land that sustains us.
Practices Will Include
- Gratitude practice for life
- Acts of reciprocity with land
- Learning from indigenous perspectives
- Knowing and being known meditation
Readings
- Braiding Sweetgrass excerpts
- Traditional ecological knowledge
Loving the More-Than-Human World
Cultivating the Brahmavihāras in nature
Loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—the four sublime states aren't just for humans. We extend these heart qualities to all beings, learning to love the more-than-human world as family, and open to receiving love from the natural world.
Practices Will Include
- Metta for all beings practice
- Compassion for the earth
- Joy in nature's beauty
Readings
- Joanna Macy on active hope
- Poems of Rilke
Awake & Naturally Free
Discovering awareness & freedom everywhere
Everything we've learned comes together in the simplest practice: resting in awareness itself. Like the sky holding clouds, we learn to hold all experience with spacious, tender presence. This is the freedom that was always here.
Practices Will Include
- Open awareness in nature
- Integration practices
- Celebration and dedication
Readings
- Selected Dzogchen teachings
- Course poems anthology
Listen to a Free Sample Lesson
Knowing and Being Known
✓ Unlocked! Enjoy your free lesson.
Is This Path
for You?
You feel called to deepen your meditation practice
You sense that nature holds wisdom you wish to learn from
You're longing for more presence and less busyness
You want to be part of a community of sincere practitioners
You wish to widen the field of meditation to include the natural world
You are trying to bring in more joy, spaciousness, and delight into meditation
You're ready to slow down and pay attention
You feel the urgency of our ecological moment
No special equipment needed.
You don't need hiking boots or camping skills. The only requirements are a willingness to step outside, slow down, and pay attention.
Enroll Now
Your Guide
Mark
Coleman
Senior Teacher · Wilderness Guide · Author
Mark Coleman is a senior meditation teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, an executive coach, and the founder of the Mindfulness Institute. He has been teaching mindfulness meditation retreats since 1997 and leads wilderness meditation retreats through Awake in the Wild.
His journey from London punk rocker to meditation teacher spans continents and traditions. Mark has studied with renowned teachers in the Theravada and Tibetan traditions, and spent years practicing in wild places around the world.
He is the author of Awake in the Wild, Make Peace with Your Mind, and From Suffering to Peace.
"My deepest teachers have been the mountains, rivers, and forests. I want to share what they've taught me."
Voices from the Path
What They Say
"I really enjoyed Mark's calm, reassuring way of guiding our practice... I felt more calm and grounded than I have been for longer than I can remember."
Kathy R.
Retreat Participant
"Mark Coleman masterfully bridges ancient wisdom with modern needs for mental well-being. A beautiful reminder of how reconnecting with the natural world can be a doorway to inner peace and clarity."
Program Participant
Meditation Student
"Mark is a gifted teacher whose kindness and wisdom make this retreat truly special. Being in his presence is a wonderful gift in itself, as he lives what he teaches in every moment."
Iris Krause
Long-time Practitioner
Course Details
When & Where
Dates & Times
Six sessions:
April 24, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
May 22, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
June 19, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
July 10, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
August 7, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
September 4, 10:30am—1:30pm PDT
Location
In-Person: Stupa Meadow, Spirit Rock · Online: Zoom Livestream
Two Ways In
Choose Your Path
Two ways to experience the 6-month immersion. Both tracks share the same curriculum, readings, and core teachings.
The Spirit Rock Immersion
Best For
Those who want to practice on the land with Mark in Northern California.
The Experience
You will gather monthly at the Spirit Rock Stupa Meadow for daylong retreats, with monthly Zoom gatherings, guided meditations, group sharing, and Dharma talks.
The Global Field Practice
Best For
Those who want to integrate the teachings into their local environment anywhere in the world.
The Experience
Join via livestream for daylong retreats, with monthly Zoom gatherings for reflection and practice support. Practice in your own local outdoor setting between sessions.
On Land
Spirit Rock Immersion
for 6 months
Or pay in full: $699
- 6 In-Person Daylong Retreats (Fridays at Spirit Rock)
- Monthly Zoom Gatherings for Reflection & Support
- Guided Meditations, Group Sharing & Dharma Talks
- Practice in Your Own Local Outdoor Setting
- Access to All Recordings & Digital Materials
Online
Global Field Practice
for 6 months
Or pay in full: $499
- 6 Livestream Daylong Retreats (Fridays)
- Monthly Zoom Gatherings for Reflection & Support
- Guided Meditations & Dharma Talks
- Practice in Your Own Local Outdoor Setting
- All Recordings & Digital Materials Included
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If the course isn't the right fit, request a full refund within 30 days—no questions asked.
Questions
What if I don't live near nature?
Nature is everywhere—even in cities. A single tree, a patch of sky, a houseplant, or birds on a wire can be your teacher. We'll explore how to connect with the natural world wherever you are. The practices adapt to your environment.
Do I need prior meditation experience?
Some meditation experience is helpful but not required. What matters most is sincerity and willingness. If you're new to meditation, the natural world will be a supportive teacher. Nature makes meditation easier, not harder.
What's the time commitment?
Plan for: one half-day retreat per month (in-person at Spirit Rock), one 90-minute Zoom session per month, and daily personal practice of 20-30 minutes outdoors. Most participants find the practice becomes something they look forward to, not another obligation.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes, all Zoom sessions will be recorded and made available to registered participants. While live attendance is encouraged for community connection, recordings ensure you won't miss essential teachings.
What if the weather is bad for outdoor retreats?
We practice in all weather (with some exceptions for safety). Rain, wind, and cold are teachers too. We'll discuss appropriate clothing and mindset. Indoor backup spaces are available at Spirit Rock if conditions are truly prohibitive. The course dates have been chosen to optimize warm dry weather on location at Spirit Rock. Online participants are encouraged to join from a device that ideally they take outdoors.
Is this connected to a specific Buddhist tradition?
Mark draws primarily from the Theravada and Tibetan traditions, while integrating contemporary nature connection practices and indigenous wisdom perspectives. The approach is non-dogmatic and accessible to practitioners of any background.
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
We understand that plans can change, and we're here to help.
- If you need to cancel before April 24, you will receive a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.
- If you cancel by the end of the day on May 22, you will receive a refund minus a $129 cancellation fee.
- After May 22, we are not able to offer refunds.
To request a cancellation, please contact us at courses@spiritrock.org
We will be glad to assist you.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Scholarships are very limited and reserved for those who are truly experiencing financial hardship. Click here to apply.
