Touching into Stillness: A Nature Dharma Basecamp Retreat

From there, we cultivate a relationship with the inner landscape through walking, standing, and sitting meditation. We will explore samadhi (unification of mind, or concentration) practices and the gradual stabilization of attention within a broad, receptive awareness. We will also work with intention-setting and other essential elements of a vital formal and daily-life practice, including cultivating kindness and compassion.

We will be doing sitting, standing, and walking meditation and there will be daily Dharma talks and guided meditations, small-group practice discussions, and time for questions and responses.

The retreat will be held in noble silence, with time at both the beginning and end to intentionally connect with fellow retreatants. Participants are asked to refrain from using cell phones, computers, and the internet in order to fully engage with the experience. Cell service will be limited or unavailable, so please attend to necessary business before arriving.

About the Retreat

Location:
THIS IS A BASECAMP RETREAT. This means we will be camping, off grid and
outdoors the entire time of the retreat. Please only apply if you have experience and are comfortable with being outdoors for many days at a time.

The retreat will be in the forest in Northern Arizona, USA. You will receive details of the exact location closer to the time. Note that the location may shift due to fire restrictions.

Dates: Sunday, May 17 th at 12:00pm – Saturday, May 23 rd at 12:00pm, 2026

Registration:
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER    Registration closes May 10, 2026.

Who This Retreat Is For:

• People new to meditation
• Long-term meditation practitioners
• Those with camping experience who are comfortable living outdoors for   6 days off-grid

Group Size & Application:

• The retreat is limited to 14 participants to support a sense of community and connection.
• All applications are carefully reviewed. In some cases, a brief phone or personal conversation with the teacher may be requested to determine suitability for this retreat.
• Applications are reviewed in the order received. You can expect a response on March 7th or within two weeks if you apply on or after March 7th.
• If you apply and later find you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible.

Wait List:

• Once the retreat is full, additional applicants will be placed on a wait list.
• If a space opens up, you will be contacted to confirm your registration.

Cost & Dana:

This retreat is offered on a Dana (generosity) basis, a traditional practice in the Buddhist lineage that supports the sharing of teachings freely and accessibly.

There is no set fee for the retreat, and the teacher receives no upfront compensation.  Instead, at the end of the retreat, you will be invited to offer a donation to the teacher and to Flagstaff Insight Meditation Center, guided by your own sense of generosity and capacity.

Dana is an integral part of the practice. It cultivates gratitude, mutual care, and the understanding that teachings are sustained through community support. Your offering helps make these retreats possible, supports the teacher in continuing to offer the Dharma, and allows FIMC to host future programs.

This model invites each participant to reflect on the value of the retreat and to participate in the living tradition of generosity that has supported contemplative practice for centuries.

Food & Gear

• Participants bring and prepare their own food.
• Participants bring their own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking gear, etc.).
• A detailed list of recommended food and gear will be provided in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions