Sacred Nature: Discover the Stillness in Nature and in You

A Nature Immersion Retreat for Deep Rest and Renewal 
This is a Family Friendly retreat*
Nature: The Greatest Healer of All
Does your life sometimes feel like you have hardly any time to simply breathe and reconnect? Have you wondered why you are drawn to being in nature and seeking out her beauty? Is it simply because of how she makes us feel, or is there something deeper? Sometimes the clearest path back to center is stepping into nature’s quiet embrace.
Envision a haven where worries fade and tranquility embraces you
Imagine sitting beside a calm, placid lake as your cares and worries effortlessly melt away. The stillness of the water mirrors the stillness and peace you long to uncover within yourself. Nature draws out the ennobling qualities we wish to cultivate in our own lives. Through world-renowned nature awareness activities and ancient, time-tested meditation techniques, you will learn to experience the sacred divinity present in all of creation—most importantly, within yourself.
During this retreat, you will experience:

Quiet moments amidst towering pines, serene lakes, and tranquil gardens
Award-winning Sharing Nature activities by Joseph Bharat Cornell, world-renowned author, naturalist, and Ananda member
Meditation and pranayama breathing techniques to calm the body and mind
Creative writing exercises to reflect on and gain deeper insights from Nature’s wisdom

Some weekend retreat highlights include:
Awaken Your Energy: Energization, Yoga, and Meditation
Each day begins with a nourishing “breakfast for the soul”—a combination of Paramhansa Yogananda’s Energization Exercises, gentle Ananda Yoga®, and guided meditation. These practices help you awaken and harmonize your life-force energy, cultivating physical vitality, emotional resilience, and spiritual awareness. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, these techniques offer a grounded way to reconnect with your inner peace and well-being.

Empower Your Mind: The Affirmation Walk
Words are powerful tools for transformation. During the Affirmation Walk, you’ll learn to combine movement with uplifting affirmations, spoken aloud with deep feeling and concentration. As you walk beneath the trees, each step becomes a declaration of strength, clarity, and purpose. This simple yet profound exercise can help dissolve inner obstacles and awaken your soul’s potential—one mindful stride at a time.

Let Nature Heal You: Forest Therapy Exercises
In the sanctuary of our 750 acres of coniferous forests, you’ll experience guided forest therapy practices that restore your nervous system and invite deep presence. As you breathe in the rich forest air, filled with phytoncides—nature’s immune-boosting compounds—your stress naturally melts away. Scientific studies show that time in the forest can lower stress hormones, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of joy and vitality. But more than that, you’ll feel intimately connected to the sacredness of life.

Your Experienced Retreat Leader
Sundara (Greg Traymar) brings a rare depth of presence, joy, and heart to every retreat he leads. Personally trained and mentored by Joseph Bharat Cornell—world-renowned naturalist and founder of Sharing Nature Worldwide—Sundara has guided transformational nature retreats across the globe. Guests often return again and again, drawn by his authenticity, intuitive wisdom, and the lightness he brings to deep inner work.
With a gift for weaving nature awareness with meditation and spiritual insight, Sundara creates a space where laughter flows easily, hearts open, and stillness becomes tangible. His grounded and heart-centered approach makes it easy to reconnect—with nature, with your soul, and with the joy that lives within you.

Communing with the Divine in Nature
“When we quiet our internal dialogue and are no longer self-preoccupied—every leaf, flower, and rock will speak to us. The senses become heightened when we live in the present. Every tree, birdsong, and cloud becomes vivid and joyous because our attention is fully focused in the here and now. We see the world as not separate from us but unified with us, and we feel great delight as we sail with the clouds and soar with the cranes high across the sky.”
—Joseph Bharat Cornell

“Contemplate beauty in the world around you, and you yourself will become beautiful.”
—Swami Kriyananda

Receive a FREE book as part of your retreat: The Sky and Earth Touched Me by Joseph Bharat Cornell

*Families are warmly welcome to join this retreat. Children may participate in activities as their interest and ability allow. While childcare is not provided, we’ll offer alternate kid friendly activities for children during select times. If you’re considering bringing your family, please reach out and call Guest Services 530,478.7518 and we’ll be happy to help you explore whether this retreat will be a good fit for your children.