When we reflect on the elemental nature of the body in the first foundation of mindfulness, we’re seeing the interconnected nature of our experience. Our mind and ego functions through constriction, a narrowing of attention to this mind-body. We create the sense of self we wrap our lives around, and believe ourselves to be independent, fixed, and separate. Taking a walk, we have the experience “I am taking a walk through the park,” as if wherever we are is separate from our body. But we are the earth’s moving surface, looking at itself, tied by gravity. And we literally—not just metaphorically—come from the earth.
Mark Coleman, MA
Residential Retreat Teacher
Mark Coleman, MA, has a master’s in Clinical Psychology and has trained extensively in the Buddhist tradition, both in the Insight meditation and in the Dzogchen tradition. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught insight meditation retreats since 1997.
Mark is a life-long nature lover and is passionate about guiding people into the beauty of meditation and nature. He has led wilderness nature retreats worldwide for over twenty years. Through his organization Awake in the Wild Mark leads year long nature meditation teacher trainings in the US and Europe.
Co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute Mark also leads year long professional mindfulness teacher trainings in Europe and the US.
He is author of Awake in the Wild - Mindfulness in nature as a path to self-discovery, Make Peace With Your Mind, From Suffering to Peace and his recent book A Field Guide to Nature Meditation.
He lives in Sausalito, Marin and likes nothing more than hiking, biking and kayaking in the outdoors.
Mark Coleman's Upcoming Programs
Short Program | On-Land
Saturday, May 9 | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Awake in the Wild: Coming to our Senses in Nature
Join us for a nature-based daylong in the meadows and hills of Spirit Rock. Through guided outdoor meditations and sensory awareness practices, you’ll deepen your mindfulness, insight, and connection to the earth. Together, we’ll learn to experience nature as refuge, teacher, and source of awakening. Rooted in stillness and presence, this retreat invites awe, mystery, and love for the natural world—an antidote to modern stress and disconnection. Discover how nature can open your heart and support your path of awakening.
Mark Coleman
Retreat | On-Land
May 24 - May 29, 2026 | Sunday - Friday | 5 nights
Finding Refuge, Finding Home: A Retreat in Nature
Full - short waitlist. Commuter spaces available! In the storms of our lives, we need refuge—a place of nourishment and support where we can replenish our tired bodies and troubled hearts. When the Buddha taught meditation, his first instruction was to go sit under a tree. Together, we’ll tap into the natural stillness and dynamism that surrounds us. Supported by our connection with the natural world, we can move toward being active participants in the world while maintaining balance and ease in our hearts and minds.
Retreat | On-Land
September 27 - October 2, 2026 | Sunday - Friday | 5 nights
Nature of Dharma: Nature as Refuge, Teacher, Beloved
Spaces Still Available! Through guided nature-based meditations, together we will cultivate embodied mindfulness, deepen our connection to the earth, and awaken to the profound wisdom found in nature. Explore teachings on impermanence, interconnection, and letting go while opening to joy, awe, and inner stillness. This retreat offers a powerful refuge—nourishing the spirit, supporting resilience, and inspiring heartfelt presence in the midst of our changing world.
Retreat | On-Land
November 27 - November 30, 2026 | Friday - Monday | 3 nights
The Gift of Loving Awareness: Embracing Life with Wisdom & Kindness
Spaces Still Available! Mindfulness and love are essential qualities of an awakened life. When awareness and compassion are integrated, they offer a wise and tender way of meeting whatever arises within ourselves, our relationships, and the world. This retreat invites you to cultivate loving awareness through mindfulness and heart-opening practices, supporting clarity, kindness, and resilience. Together, we will explore how to meet life’s challenges with greater ease, understanding, and an open, responsive heart.
Upcoming Drop-Ins
Drop-in | On-Land
Monday, March 9 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Monday Night Meditation & Talk
For over 35 years, the Monday Night sitting group at Spirit Rock has been a welcoming refuge to gather, hear the teachings of the Buddha, and practice Insight Meditation together as a community. The program includes a 30-40 min guided meditation, a short break, and a Dharma talk.
Mark Coleman
Drop-in | Online
Monday, March 9 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Monday Night Meditation & Talk
For over 35 years, the Monday Night sitting group at Spirit Rock has been a welcoming refuge to gather, hear the teachings of the Buddha, and practice Insight Meditation together as a community. The program includes a 30-40 min guided meditation, a short break, and a Dharma talk.
Mark Coleman
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with Mark Coleman through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.
