The Whole Earth as the True Human Body: Exploring the Buddha Dharma in the Wilds of California

“Those who love the whole world as if it were their own body can be entrusted with the world.”

– Dao De Jing

Elders within both indigenous societies and contemplative traditions have long sought out the refuge of the wider natural world in order to become more intimate with a larger ground of belonging. These sages and elders of old deeply understood that the nature of their own minds was not separate from mountains and rivers and the great wide Earth. We continue this long tradition, exploring the gifts of nature-based practice and contemplative practice, and how both of these ways mutually support a deepening presence with life.

In this retreat, we will practice together with the trees of Northern California, weaving together the liberating teachings of the Buddha Dharma with nature-based practices. We will center the wider natural world as an integral companion and teacher of our retreat journey, inviting deep listening, reverence, and humility towards the more-than-human world. Leaving behind the familiarity of human society, we intentionally interrupt our habitual, human-centered ways of perceiving and relating to this life. We open to the possibility of seeing, as Dōgen Zenji has remarked, that “the whole earth is the true human body.”

Held and nourished by the tranquility and beauty of the forest, we will also make space for the grief and heartaches of our times – personally and collectively. What might support us in meeting the challenges ahead with care, integrity, and balance? How might we reclaim our sense of true belonging to this Earth, waking up to the interconnected nature of all life? 

In this tender exploration, we are guided by the intention to strengthen the heart’s resilience in meeting what is difficult, as well as our capacity to see the loveliness and wonder of this world.

Meditation instruction will be offered around the four foundations of mindfulness, supported by nature-based practices drawing on an eco-centric model of human development that complement these foundations. Individual contemplative practice, community inquiry and connection with the land will serve as the foundation of this retreat. In support of deepening this exploration, the majority of the retreat will be held in silence, interspersed with periods of shared exploration through dialogue.

We’re deeply excited to be hosting a longer retreat – this 10 day experience has been designed to allow you to deepen into your practice and your relationship with the Earth.

“Our challenge is to create a new language, even a new sense of what it is to be human. It is to transcend not only national limitations, but even our species isolation, to enter into the larger community of living species. This brings a completely new sense of reality and value.”  – Thomas Berry

The land at Shelterwood Collective, the venue for this retreat

Approximate Daily Schedule

• 6:00 am – Wakeup Bell
• 6:30 am – Morning Practice
• 7:30 am – Breakfast
• 8:30 am – Morning Chores & Work Practice
•  9:30am – Morning Session
• 12:30pm – Lunch
• 1:15pm – Break & Rest
•  2:30 pm – Afternoon Session
• 5:30 pm – Break
• 6:00 pm – Dinner
• 7:30 pm – Evening Practice
• 9:30 pm – Rest

Teachers

This retreat will be led by two wonderful Dharma teachers: Kerstin Deibert and Rupert Marques. Please read below for their bios and more information on their practice backgrounds.

Who This Retreat Is For

This retreat is open to both newer and experienced meditators who feel called to deepen their practice in silence and in close relationship with the natural world.

Lodging & Camping Details

This retreat will be a mix of indoor lodging and outdoor camping. There are plenty of indoor beds available, so if you don’t want to camp you won’t have to.

To help us plan thoughtfully and make good use of our collective resources, please indicate whether you plan to camp by saying you are comfortable camping in the registration form.

About the Venue – Shelterwood Collective

Dharma Gates is excited to be hosting a retreat at Shelterwood Collective. Shelterwood is a 900-acre community forest stewarded by Indigenous, Black, Disabled and Queer leaders, land protectors and cultural changemakers. Shelterwood is based on unceded Kashia territory, above what is now called the Russian River in Northern California. They heal interconnected ecosystems through land stewardship, forest restoration, wildfire risk reduction, community and cultural organizing, and hosting retreats. The aim of Shelterwood is to “enrich the waterways, fill the food baskets, quicken the forests, rematriate laughter, paint a new culture, rewild our hearts, and heal our people, so that we may all be free.”

Getting There

Shelterwood is nestled among the coastal redwoods of Northern California. Getting there requires a bit of intention, and we encourage you to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time for travel.

Driving

It will be easiest to arrive by car if you live in the area. It is a ~3 hour drive from the Bay Area. After registration, we will send detailed driving directions for the final approach to the center. The address is 23500 King Ridge Rd, Cazadero, CA 95421.

Flights & Public Transit

If you are flying, the closest major airports are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Both airports are a 2.5-3.5 hour drive, depending on traffic.

Rideshares & Carpools

To make travel easier (and reduce our collective carbon footprint), we will help coordinate rideshares and carpools from the Bay Area. A few weeks before the retreat, we’ll send a simple form and shared document where participants can offer or request rides.

Dana & Financial Information

This retreat is freely offered in the spirit of generosity. To support participant commitment and attendance, there is a $50 registration deposit, which can be refunded upon completion of the full program. Participants are encouraged to practice dāna (generosity) to support the teachers and Dharma Gates.

Food & Dietary Information

All meals will be nourishing vegan food prepared by the retreat kitchen team. If you have dietary restrictions, please indicate them in your registration form and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Noble Silence

The majority of this retreat will be held in Noble Silence. When the whole group enters into Noble Silence we offer each other and ourselves the gift of being with our experience as it is.  This practice supports the mind in settling. Noble Silence includes no talking to other participants, no reading or writing unless a teacher specifically encourages you to do so, and no tech use.

Technology & Safety

You will be strongly encouraged to give up your phone for the week, you may choose to either hand it in to the retreat managers or keep your phone in your room turned off. Upon being accepted to this retreat, you will receive emergency phone numbers that we ask you to share with your loved ones so that you will not need to be monitoring your own messages. A retreat manager will be present throughout the entirety of the retreat to support the group. If at any point during the retreat you are feeling ill, are injured, or are in distress please speak with a retreat manager.

Accessibility

Shelterwood is a fairly rustic property with uneven trails and outdoor practice spaces. Participants should feel comfortable walking on dirt paths and spending extended time outdoors.

What to Bring

Late August at Shelterwood is beautiful—warm and sunny during the day, but often cool, misty, and damp in the mornings and evenings under the redwoods. We’ll send a detailed packing list to you beforehand, but here are some things to make sure you bring:

• Warm layers (sweater, fleece, or light down jacket)
• Rain protection
• Hat for sun
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Journal & Pen
• Water bottle

What’s the deal with the age range?

Do I have to be a Buddhist?