What to Expect on a SING
SING programs generally focus on cultivating a contemplative spirit while on trail or on water. Events may include a suggested meditative practice.
Each SING begins with a welcome and safety orientation and generally 2- 3 hours in length. Most events are geared to adults and youth and rated based on trail and water conditions (easy, moderate or challenging). Each event has a limited number of slots with sign up required. No pets.
Most events are free, a few may have a rental fee for equipment or parking. Registration link is at our ‘Find a Program’ button.
Note: While safety is a priority, each event provides a liability waiver, acknowledging that any outdoor event provides some element of risk and that participants will hold leaders and partner organizations harmless.
Hiking and Paddling with Wisdom
Listening, noticing, responding are essentials of the spiritual life and for experiencing the wonders of nature. During our time together (on trail or water) we create time for being quiet. In doing so we create space to better hear what is going on within and around us.
Thomas Keating a Trappist monk put it this way: “The first language of the Creator is silence.”
To help, we may be accompanied by a meditation mantra of Thich Nhat Hahn (Buddhist monk and teacher); or, Centering Prayer a simple yet profound way of living mindfully in the moment.
Our experience may also include Lectio Divina an ancient practice of listening to a passage of sacred wisdom. In this way our hike/paddle is shaped by the wisdom reading, your own thoughts and being in nature.
Wisdom readings are varied, examples: Poet Mary Oliver; indigenous elder Robin Wall Kimmerer (author of Braiding Sweetgrass); 12th century Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen; Celtic mystic John O’Donohue; environmental prophets John Muir, Terry Tempest Williams.
We conclude with a ritual of honoring our time together. People are invited to share, if they wish, something special they noticed, surprised by or grateful for.
Pop-Up-Programs
As NS SING evolves so will our programs. Recently we offered a workshop on ‘nature photography as a meditative practice’. In addition, we led a hike for families with children under 12. This kid friendly hike was fun and featured a nature scavenger hunt! Watch this website and ‘Programs’ tab for what’s coming next.
