Space: limited to 10 participants
Cost: $250/person; please select to sleep in the bus or tent when registering. The bus is open to the first 6 registrants
REGISTER by September 15
“The gift of life, the secret of life, is that it must be developed from the inside out, from what we bring to it from within ourselves, not from what we collect or consume as we go through it, not even from what we experience in the course of it.” —Joan Chittister
This retreat held on the Root River Trail in Southeastern Minnesota will engage walking practices of pilgrimage, forest therapy, and the labyrinth. Under the leadership of Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren of Walking Space and Martha Brunell of Oak Leaf Oasis, we will slow down, stretch out, and enter the spaciousness of deepened awareness of the world within us and the world around us. Such awareness opens up new conversation with self and with the earth. Such awareness is the bedrock of compassionate living. We invite you into the transformative possibilities of this walking time on the trail.
Inside, we are all born for the outside. We breathe the naked air, grow in the light of the raw sun. We spring from the soil as surely as the most tentative grass. Through astonishing and mysterious grace of the natural ways, we have come to be creatures of awareness as well, capable of wonder, faith and deep feeling. We see the remarkable stretch of place beyond and below us, and develop spiritual conceptions to make meaning of vast patterns. For long ages, humanity has applied intuition and knowledge to create paths of spirit, to make sense of the larger universe, and to provide guidance for our individual footfalls… (Eric Alan)
The trail we will use is a repurposed train track bed and usually used by bikers. It is entirely paved and mostly flat, making it accessible to most people of varying ability. The trail is nestled along the Root River and the ancient, picturesque bluffs that have stood for millennia.
More information
Bus & Tent Info
Each bunk area has a narrow twin spring mattress, outlet, light, and privacy curtain. Bedding, a pillow and a towel are provided or you are welcome to bring your own. A small locker or drawer is provided for each participant to use for their belongings. The bus has air conditioning and heat when needed. There is a small kitchenette and seating area for relaxing and congregating.
Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren staff Walking Space, which Andrew founded. Walking Space invites you to flow with your footsteps.
Martha Brunell’s spiritual programming is Oak Leaf Oasis. She is a spiritual director, a retreat and workshop leader, and a writer and writing group convener with additional training as a SoulCollage Facilitator, an Advanced Accredited Labyrinth Facilitator, a Forest Therapy Guide, and a Grief Educator.
This event is underwritten by the Pilgrim Point Legacy Funds.