Retreat 1
The first retreat, at Joshua Tree National Park, teaches the art of listening for God in wilderness. Guides camp together and begin a rigorous program that immerses them deeply in nature. Every day participants learn mindfulness, walking meditation, chant, chi quong moving meditation, and other “deep listening” techniques, and spend hitbodedut (alone time dedicated to spiritual practice) at a solo site in the desert. In the evenings and along the trail, Rabbi Comins teaches “Desert Torah” and processes the day’s learning. The retreat concludes with a full day of hitbodedut.
Between retreats participants maintain the community and study with Rabbi Comins and Rabbi Natan Margalit via on-demand video lectures and the cohort’s social media once every two weeks. Rabbi Margalit teaches “eco-Torah,” covering the basic concepts and texts that Jewish environmental educators need to know. Rabbi Comins presents an eclectic range of subjects, drawing on traditional, Jewish texts, Judaica scholarship, contemporary philosophy and nature writing, to ground the spiritual practices he teaches on the retreats.
Retreat 2
In a mountain setting, participants respond to what they learn from mindful listening for God. Following his second book, Making Prayer Real, Rabbi Comins teaches the art of prayer. Participants are encouraged to find their personal prayer voice, and make liturgical prayer their own. The retreat culminates with an overnight solo, a day and a half of hitbodedut.
Retreat 3
The third retreat builds on the previous themes of mindfulness and prayer. Participants now direct their attention primarily inward, engaging in self-reflection for the purposes of teshuvah – for moral refinement, personal growth and spiritual renewal. At the center is a two-night solo of hitbodedut alone time while camping in wilderness, a powerful experience that almost always has an enormous impact on a person’s spirit and their relationship with God.
Retreat 4: Leadership Seminar
The Leadership Seminar takes place in August, 2013, tentatively scheduled at the Teton Science School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Rabbi Comins and guest teachers, Teton Science School expert environmental educators, and the superb wilderness that is the Tetons provide a stimulating laboratory for the participants to learn educational methodology, wilderness teaching techniques for all ages, and program skills for the school classroom and city parks. Participants also learn leadership skills for wilderness settings, and contribute their creativity and experience in the development of Jewish Wilderness Spirituality curriculum.
For program details and application, click here.
