Transformative Retreat – Embracing Nature’s Wisdom at Prajna
The Prajna Residents’ Retreat at Upaya Zen Center, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, offers a profound annual immersion for contemplative residents.
This retreat invites participants to transcend the structured confines of the zendo and embrace the untamed wilderness, integrating zazen meditation and samu (mindful work) with the vibrant landscape of aspens, wildflowers, and soaring firs.
For many residents, this year’s retreat marked a transformative encounter with Roshi Joan’s high-altitude sanctuary, a place suffused with shimmering light and rarified air.
Camping amidst nature’s splendor, they immersed themselves in the luminous presence of yarrow, the ethereal flight of columbine, and the watchful gaze of white aspens.
Guided by insights from interspecies communicator Anna Breytenbach, participants explored the concept of “gossamer threads” linking human consciousness with the natural world.
This deepened their awareness of reciprocal connections, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and reverence for all life forms.
Through practices informed by Dogen’s Mountains and Waters Sutra, residents discovered profound stillness and openness, witnessing the perfection inherent in every leaf, raven’s call, and the vast mystery of existence.
As they departed, their eyes shone brighter, enriched by meditative meadows, exhilarating mountain hikes, and shared moments of laughter and reflection.
Ultimately, the retreat reaffirmed their commitment to cherish and protect Earth’s beauty and interconnectedness, carrying forward the retreat’s gifts into their daily lives.
