“ . . . higher scores on the connectivity to nature scale were associated with greater overall psychological well-being, vitality, and— very importantly— meaningfulness.”
— Selhub and Logan, Your Brain on Nature, p. 155.
Surprise Farm Retreat Center, near Ramona, Southern California, offers workshops, activities, and events in a unique setting.
We Plant, Bridge, and Grow:
We plant the seed that nature is our home for
well-being. The bridge symbolizes that we
cross over to new ideas, perspectives and
places less familiar, with the hope that we
grow from our experiences.
Learning Opportunities at the SFRC
- to ground in nature
- to experience & share authenticity
- to practice generosity and gratitude
- to co-create community
- to change society at grass-roots
“The practical advice Jung gave for remedying the loss of contact with Nature, within or without . . . to live in small communities; to work a shorter day and week; to have a plot of land to cultivate so the instincts come back to life; and to make the sparest use of radio, television, newspapers, and technological gadgetry. The purpose of doing these things, however, is not to repair Nature, but rather to let Nature affect us . . . . a balanced interaction between human nature and Nature requires that we also invite— allow— Nature [to] heal us.”
— Meredith Sabini, C.J. Jung on Nature, Technology, & Modern Life
TIME OUT
A Day of Creativity and Mindfulness in Nature
Join us for a whimsical day as we experience the positive impact of time in nature, and explore our creativity. We hope you will enjoy time out from the day-to-day, mindfully indulging your senses at the beautiful Surprise Farm Retreat Center. The day will include individual and community art projects, along with opportunities to wander, meditate, and self-discover. You will learn simple practices that will connect you to creativity and nature on a daily basis. Materials and a meal provided.
Please register above (you can also pay at the door).
When: Saturday, April 27th, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Where: 18892 Old Julian Trail Ramona, CA 92065
(get driving directions above)
Presented by:
Leana Bulay and Dana Carson Lopez
Special surprise guest to be announced!
Please register above (you can also pay at the door).
Phone: (760) 315-0167
Address: 18892 Old Julian Trail Ramona, CA 92065
(get driving directions above)
SFRC Newsletter Notes
March 8, 2019
Delivery of two more yurt tents . . . hope to have all three set for glampers at the SpringFling music May 4.
February 12, 2019
Program Committee met to calendar Spring workshops. Mask-Making, Ecopsychology, Art in Nature and more to come. Check back here for the schedule.
February 28, 2019
The Surprise Farm Retreat Center hosted a salon with MD Joe Tafur, author of Fellowship of the River. To those gathered around the firepit, Dr. Tafur described his experience at Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual, a traditional healing center near Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon.
His stories— of emotional body and spiritual healing— suggest a paradigm shift in what it is that people need to heal. The stimulating conversation included exchanges about his (& the) journey to bridge and demonstrate these values to our modern healthcare culture. To learn more about Dr. Tafur's work visit www.drjoetafur.com and www.modernspirit.org.
— Amy Roost
December, 2018
Asking Permission Ceremony with Don Marcelino. Marcelino, of the Wirrarika people, in his community is known as a mara’akame— someone who knows something, or person of knowledge. In a ceremony for people central to the SFRC project, Marcelino came to advocate and help us negotiate. We were to make offerings, make our intentions known to the life present at Surprise Farm. Marcelino, through his songs will listen and relay to us what the poderes say. We can also listen . . . Read More
OUR MISSION
Surprise Farm Retreat Center offers educational programs in the surround of nature, organic farming, and heritage sites.
The experience of being in place, with creative intentional community, encourages well-being.
Our Mission includes learning from each other about meaning and purpose, in workshops and around the firepit.
We seek a caring and sustainable interaction between human nature and Nature, inviting Nature to heal us.