Touching the Earth: A Miksang Contemplative Photography Retreat

Touching the Earth is a gathering for photographers of all skill levels, beginners to professionals, seeking a fresh approach to connecting to themselves and the world. Miksang Contemplative Photography is the art and practice of visual awareness, dropping our agendas and allowing the world to touch our hearts directly. The program will use meditations, contemplations, and simple exercises to assist participants to access their wisdom, strength, and confidence as they travel beyond the grounds of Casa Werma, into Pátzcuaro and the surrounding countryside.

The program will teach the basic visual elements of Miksang Level I before deepening into the heart of Miksang Level II, photographing plants, people and sentient beings, and the aliveness that is Mexico. A relaxed schedule will allow time for hiking, explorations, shopping, lunch on your own, photography, and siestas. Individual Miksang and meditation interviews may also be scheduled.

Each day will begin with breakfast at Casa Werma, followed by meditations, talks, photo reviews, and outings. We will gather in the evenings over dinner to review, discuss, and deepen further into Miksang Photography.

There are no prerequisites for the program. A digital camera is required, and it is helpful to have a laptop computer to download images.

Pay-It-Forward program tuition not including accommodations: $503 usd

We invite all who are able to do so to consider paying the Pay-It-Forward tuition rate. By doing so, you make it possible for us to offer scholarships to others, particularly our Mexico sangha, while also covering the direct cost of your stay here and contributing to our year-round operations. Please select Pay-It-Forward Tuition Add-On in Registration.

Full program tuition not including accommodations: $395 usd 

We invite all who are able to do so to pay the full tuition rate.  By doing so, you cover the direct cost of your stay here and contribute to our year-round operating expenses.

Subsidized program tuition not including accommodations: 30% off  Full Tuition If the full tuition is unworkable for you, please pay the subsidized rate if you can.  By doing so you contribute towards the cost of your being here and everything it takes to keep Casa Werma operating year-round. Please type “SUBSIDIZED” in Discount Code in Registration.

What to expect: The first and last program dates for any program at Casa Werma are considered primarily travel days. We start with dinner on the first listed program day, followed by orientation and opening remarks by the teacher. On the final listed program day, there will be no program activities and a light, continental breakfast will be available to all participants.

Travel arrangements: We recommend flights into Morelia airport (90 minutes away by car). We can help with travel arrangements, please inquire about options. Please visit our How to Get Here  page for more info.

Jake Lorfing, Melinda Rothouse, and Patrick Larson are certified instructors in the Shambhala Nalanda Miksang tradition. Supportive and experienced teachers, they cumulatively offer a wealth of photographic, artistic, technological, creative and meditative skillsets.