Intro to Silent Meditation: Falling Into Gratitude

Saturday, November 7 · 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Graeser Family Education Center $45 | $36 WBG members Gratitude is the obvious theme for a retreat into silent meditation about three weeks before Thanksgiving. Cultures have long celebrated bountiful harvests with rituals of gratitude and the spiritual dimension of homecoming. We will also acknowledge that fall is a time of “hunkering down” in the natural world as temperatures cool, plants grow dormant, animals prepare for the upcoming chilly weather, storing food or traveling to warmer regions. The natural world, by its nature, is in a state of non-resistance to the rhythm of these natural cycles. Since we human beings are part of the natural world, we will include ourselves in the natural flow of what life offers moment to moment, leaning into the abundance of life that is always and already here. This retreat is an opportunity for you to find a restorative and affirming shift in wellbeing as we explore mindfulness meditation practices with curiosity and kindness, supported by the beautiful spaces at WBG, incredible music, tasty food, and skillful teachers. Participants are silent during most of the retreat as Karen and colleagues guide a variety of meditation forms, including walking, eating, sitting, sound and mindful movement, all touching on our theme: Falling Into Gratitude. Anticipate your silence as a pleasant experience as your brain’s language center relaxes. The quiet space created by not talking provides grounding for experiencing what it means to be in a state of mindfulness. REGISTER HERE Instructor: Karen Newton Disclaimer: Minimums & Cancellations Waterfront Botanical Gardens is committed to offering high-quality, meaningful programming. As a nonprofit, each class must meet a minimum enrollment to proceed. We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a program if minimum capacity is not met or due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or severe weather. Registered participants will be notified promptly and offered a full refund or transfer option.