Join us for a spectacular week as we partner with OARS, the premier outdoor travel company since 1969, for an unbeatable wilderness retreat on the majestic Colorado River through the heart of Canyonlands National Park.
River Rafting & Hiking
Meditation & Movement
Delicious Meals
Peace & Quiet
Friday to Thursday
September 20 - 26, 2024
Canyonlands National Park
Begin & End in Moab, Utah
Rafting in Utah on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon has it all: breathtaking scenery, tranquil floating, and action-packed Class III-IV whitewater rafting. Add to that stunning hiking, daily contemplative movement and meditation, periods of reflective silence, and nighttime stargazing in an International Dark Sky Park set among the multi-million-year-old rock formations within Canyonlands.
Drawing on the perspectives of contemplative practice, everyday mindfulness, and the wisdom of the natural world, each day begins in peaceful silence with early morning movement and meditation before breakfast, followed by a day of rafting, quiet hiking and delicious meals.
In the evenings we’ll gather beside the river for a talk and meditation before we settle back into silence for the night. Experiencing intentional silence in the wilderness is a rare and special opportunity that supports the letting go of the natural stresses of everyday life.
Everyone is Welcome
This wilderness retreat is open to everyone. The meditation and movement will be suited for both new and seasoned practitioners. Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm.
Check out this OARS interview with Heidi for a little more about this special trip: There's Power in Silence on the River.
Trip Fee: - from $2,699
Optional Sleep Kit (tent included) $40
Deposit: $400 to hold your spot
Required & Helpful Reading:
Before You Go! - including the full trip details & itinerary, complete packing list, cancelation policy and much more.
Trip begins at 5pm the evening of Thursday, September 19th with a required pre-trip meeting and retreat orientation at the Gonzo Inn in Moab, Utah. We'll get on the water Friday morning and our trip ends on Thursday, September 26th arriving back in Moab mid afternoon. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
In support of our contemplative practice and our time together, this trip will be free from alcohol and drugs and includes extended periods of silence from the end of the evening through breakfast the next day. It's a precious opportunity to connect with ourselves, each other, and the natural world.
To Register: contact Caitlin Levitz at OARS or 209.753.4800
For Other Questions: contact Heidi Bourne at 707.498.5562
Heidi Bourne is a meditation teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition and is the founder and guiding teacher of Pacific Mindfulness. She has been teaching since 2005 offering classes, series courses, nature retreats, trauma-informed and resiliency-focused professional programs, and teaches regularly for Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She holds certification in mindfulness facilitation from UCLA, trauma resiliency from the Trauma Resource Institute, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. Heidi is especially interested in the integration of the common sense, accessible and timeless teachings of awareness, ethics, and compassion into the complexity of our everyday lives. She is known for her grounded, down-to-earth humor and presence. She has a background in nursing and has been a small business owner in Arcata, California for 35 years.
