When was the last time you created the space for spending time in the dark – to sit or lie down on the Earth and let your mind wander into the spaciousness of the night sky?

For thousands of years, human beings (and other Life Forms) have engaged in a contemplative relationship with the darkness of night and the night sky. This exploration has evoked countless insights, reflections, inspirations, and creative expressions.

Join certified Forest Bathing and Nature Therapy Guide Marianne Rowe along with astronomer, author and teacher Stephan Martin for a unique experience of being with the night, contemplating the beauty and mystery of the magnificent night sky during the darkest month of the year.

In an audio-only Zoom call, we will be guided to some of the night sky’s hidden wonders by Stephan. Marianne will offer contemplation and sharing prompts that will deepen our relationship with ourselves, our group, and the cosmos. Significant changes in perspective and context are highly likely.

You can pre-register for this experience through the form linked below. The North Carolina Arboretum staff will be in touch to finalize registration and payment.

with Marianne Rowe & Stephan Martin
Friday, December 8
5:30 - 7:00 Pacific
$20

We will be connecting with each other through an audio-only Zoom call. You will be sent the Link upon Registration.

Stephan Martin is an astronomer, educator, and author who has taught astronomy, physics, and consciousness studies at colleges, universities, and learning centers across the US for over twenty-five years. Between 2003-2008 he studied directly with Brian Swimme and others at the California Institute of Integral Studies, out of which came his first book Cosmic Conversations, in which he held dialogues with scientists, spiritual teachers, and cultural creatives on the nature of the universe and our role in it. Since then he has led workshops on the New Cosmology at seminars and retreat centers across the US and Europe and has been active in exploring multidisciplinary approaches to exploring the universe. He is currently adjunct faculty in the Consciousness and Transformative Studies graduate program at John F Kennedy University where he teaches a course on “Cosmology and Consciousness.” Steve is also a co-director of the continuing care program at the Center for Spiritual Emergence in Asheville, NC where he assists clients in living more conscious lives from an expansive perspective.

Marianne Rowe is a Founding Teacher of Monterey Bay Meditation Studio, an Emergent Dialogue facilitator, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pacific Grove, CA. Her teaching, therapeutic work and leadership focus on healing, transformation and evolution through awareness and relationship — developing Integral consciousness through the physiological, cognitive, emotional, relational and spiritual aspects of being. She is dedicated to catalyzing and cultivating embodiment of a New Story for human beings (inspired by Charles Eisenstein) and playing a conscious role as part of the evolving Universe Story (inspired by Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, and Duane Elgin). Marianne’s passions include inspiring reverence and reciprocity with Earth and Universe, spiritual activism, and conscious relationship with all beings. Read more.

This mini-retreat is part of the Outdoors, Mindfulness, and Spirituality/Evolution of Consciousness MBMS Pathways.