Diamond in the Rough Wilderness Retreat :: Ecopsychology and the Diamond Approach

WILDERNESS RITES OF PASSAGE, VISION FAST, AND SCHOOL OF LOST BORDERS
--Vision Fast
--Diamond in the Rough
--Diamond Approach and Primitive Ecopsychology
--Wilderness Rites of Passage
--Boys Wilderness Camping Trip
--School of Lost Borders

ECOPSYCHOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

AUTHOR INFORMATION

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH:
Ecopsychology and the Soul

A wilderness retreat exploring
the Diamond Approach
and primitive ecopsychology

April 20-26, 2008 in western Colorado

Offered through the School of Lost Borders

The wild world calls us to awaken to our connection to nature, both inner and outer. This is the foundation for the most ancient of spiritual paths. A recently-developed spiritual path draws on ancient wisdom and modern psychological insight to provide an exceptionally precise and thorough path to full human maturity and self-realization.

For over twenty years, I have been exploring two means toward self-realization, personal and spiritual maturity, and the full expression of our humanness: the Diamond Approach and the vision fast, a wilderness rite of passage based on "primitive ecopsychology."

This exploration has taken the form of a wilderness retreat exploring practices and understandings from these two paths. Among the foundations of primitive ecopsychology are direct contact with the natural world and a four-fold model of nature and human nature. These are integrated with the Diamond Approach's understanding of the soul's intrinsic qualities and its approach to deepening realization of our essential nature. I call this retreat DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH .

The Diamond Approach has been developed and taught by A. H. Almaas (Hameed Ali) for over 30 years. It offers a precise and effective path for realizing and integrating our true nature while pursuing a life of engagement and service in the world. Its primary method is open-ended inquiry into our immediate experience supported by deepening understanding of ourselves.

Ecopsychology invites us into direct and immediate contact with wild nature, and we emerge more natural, authentic, and alive. Entering wilder places in nature helps us enter the wilder -- and more free -- places in our own souls, the places of essence, vision, gratitude, vitality, guidance, power, and wholeness. The lessons we learn in the wild heal the soul, mature us, and transform consciousness.

Bringing these two paths together is particularly engaging, inspiring, supportive, challenging, and fruitful. This trip is an extended, transformative inquiry into the your soul's aliveness and its relationships with the world. Click here for a description of the relationship of the Diamond Approach to nature and for more background on primitive ecopsychology.

THE FORMAT

On this seven-day Diamond in the Rough retreat, we travel to an isolated wild area and set up a basecamp. From this basecamp, you will ...

live close to the land, practicing Leave No Trace camping and learning the lessons of the wild;
practice exercises for awareness and embodiment, with the wild world offering a wealth of invitations to awaken to the present;
explore concepts of ecopsychology, transpersonal psychology, earth-centered spirituality, and the Diamond Approach;
eat simple meals and take time to enjoy the place;
develop a sense of community with like-minded seekers, supporting a growing balance of connection and aloneness;
design and practice self-generated ceremonies as a way to connect more deeply with yourself and the world and to provide the safety and sanctuary to go into new territory and new ways of being; and
participate in daily solo times and a 24-hour solo to deepen your personal contact with yourself and with the wild world.

Teachings are offered to support these practices and transformation. Most days include teaching, mindfulness and embodiment practices, solo time in nature, and group discussions. Always, the aim is to deepen your direct and immediate contact with your inner depth and the natural world.

This retreat is appropriate for those who are new to the Diamond Approach as well as those who have studied it deeply. Previous experience with the Diamond Approach is not necessary, nor is previous wilderness experience. While there are challenges inherent in any wilderness camping trip, our aim is safety, awakening, and a sense of homecoming, not added risk.

Rainbow

John Davis

I am an ordained teacher of the Diamond Approach and the author of The Diamond Approach: An Introduction to the Teachings of A. H. Almaas (Shambhala Pub.). I lead Diamond Approach groups in Colorado and Vancouver. I have been a student of Almaas since 1975 and a teacher of the Diamond Approach since 1983. I am on the staff of the School of Lost Borders, a training facility for wilderness rites of passage founded by Steven Foster and Meredith Little. I have been leading wilderness rites of passage and vision fast trips and training guides since 1984.

I am also on the faculty at Naropa University, where I teach in the Transpersonal Psychology, Ecopsychology, and Wilderness Therapy graduate programs.

COST. A sliding scale from $800 to 1200, with participants determining what they pay. A deposit of $250 will hold a place on this trip. FOR MORE INFORMATION, to APPLY, or to get on a MAILING LIST, contact me by email.

For information on a related wilderness rite of passage trip, the Vision Fast, go to my page on VISION FASTS.

Diamond Approach (r) is a service mark of the Ridhwan Foundation.
This trip is not affiliated with the Ridhwan Foundation.