Being Nature: Embodying the Four Elements
With Pamela Weiss, Rev. Shinmu Tamori Gibson, Gina LaRoche (Trainee) and Kate Siber (Trainee)
June 23 - 30, 2026
“The shape of the mountains is no other than the unconditioned body.” —Dogen-zenji
We are nature. The elemental nature of the world moves within us, as us. This silent meditation retreat will be rooted in teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the Four Great Elements—earth, air, fire, and water. In a time of ecological crisis and deep division, we will cultivate a wise, tender awareness that deepens our intimate connection to our own bodies and the body of the earth. Practicing together, we will reclaim our fundamental non-separation and wholeness and reawaken our belonging to each other and the wide, wild world.
Our time together will be in Noble silence and will include periods of stationary and movement meditation, guided mindfulness instruction, and meetings with teachers. Dharma reflections will be drawn from both Theravada and Zen and there will be ample time to practice within the land at Vallecitos.
All are welcome.
Cancellation Policy:
- 45 days prior to retreat: Full refund, minus a $150 nonrefundable fee
- 44-22 days prior to retreat: 50% refund
- 0-21 days prior to retreat: No refund
Teachers
Pamela Weiss is a Buddhist teacher in two traditions—Zen and Theravada. After living as a monastic at Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery for five years, she completed comprehensive training through Spirit Rock Meditation Center to become an Insight meditation teacher. She teaches at Spirit Rock, San Francisco Zen Center and Tassajara, and is a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight. Pamela is a pioneer in bringing Buddhist principles and practices into the workplace, and is the author of A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, Eugene, and little dog, Grover.
Learn more about Pamela Weiss
Rev. Shinmu Tamori Gibson (心無 田守 ギブソン) (fka Jozen) lives to study, nourish, and offer contemplative heart-body-mind practices and spaces rooted in compassionate wellness, anti-oppression and interdependent liberation for all beings through the Buddhadharma. Shinmu is a Sotō Zen monastic priest ordained on November 12, 2023 by their teacher, Osho Zenju Earthlyn Manuel of the Suzuki Roshi lineage. Honoring the wisdom and compassion of all teachers and future generations, with the ancestors of their Black Japanese heritage, Shinmu highlights their mother—Akimi, and their lay dharma teacher—Monitsu Pamela Weiss. They began formal meditation practice while living in Japan, joined by Early…
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Gina LaRoche is a trainee in the IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program. She started her meditation practice in 2000, and was introduced to Insight Meditation while attending her first residential retreat in 2010. Deeply transformed by the Dharma, Gina integrates its teachings into her daily life and work. A 2017 graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Program; founding teacher of Elm Community Insight in New Haven, Connecticut; and former IMS Board member, she co-holds the monthly POC sit at Cambridge Insight Meditation Center. She is the co-author of The 7 Laws of Enough: Cultivating a Life of Sustainable…
Learn more about Gina LaRoche (Trainee)
Immersion in wild nature, embodiment, and service have been important gateways into the Dharma for Kate. Kate loves practicing while sitting near streams, wandering in meadows or standing on mountaintops. She is grateful to have had the opportunities to study and practice with root teachers Erin Treat and Brian Lesage as well as Kamala Masters, Guy Armstrong, and many others. Kate currently teaches and serves on the Dharma Council for the Durango Dharma Center in Southwest Colorado and is participating in the four-year Insight Meditation Society/Spirit Rock Retreat Teacher Training Program. For 20 years, she has also worked as a…
Learn more about Kate Siber (Trainee)
