Earth Pilgrim

Earth Pilgrim is a new project for 2008, inspired by a number of events. Firstly by wanting to provide a resource where people can come on a kind of retreat for a day, 2 days or longer and make a deep and profound connection with the natural world.

Inspired by such visionaries as Gandhi, Satish Kumar and the beauty of the natural world, I decided to set up Earth pilgrim as a way to experience the benefits of meditation, health, clarity, nature awareness and wisdom.

I was approached by my friend Rebecca whose beautiful young daughter Madeleine sky,  was nearly 8 months when she died recently. Rebecca wanted to go and help a charity in Madagascar, so she asked if I could lead a yatra. A yatra is a Buddhist concept, where one walks in awareness and mindfullness for peace of mind, and peace in the world.

I had been wanting to run some walking retreats through Tigers nest this year, so when she asked me, I thought this would be great way to start. The idea of combining the simple and profound practices from Buddhism, such as deep listening, silence, intuitive awareness and sky gazing with  indigenous practices such as nature awareness, sharing of story, and the way of council seems like a good way to go.

In the same way, raising money for different charities around the world, helping a wide range of causes, from indigenous people, Wildlife, Sustainability, poor communities and young people, then Earth pilgrim has the potential to be project that inspires many people around the world.

Our intention is to support a different charity on each walk to begin with, such as Rokpa in Tibet, Yuthokpa, Survival etc. the first year we will run four walks, starting with our first walk in spring of one day, a three day in summer, a five day walk in snowdonia in autumn and a two day winter walk.

Part of the time we will camp out, sometimes in retreat centres, hostals, hotels etc. On the five day we will have the option to take part in a vision quest, spending the night alone on a beautiful mountain in Wales. The main intention of the five day is a kind of rite of passage, and also an opportunity for people to learn the ways of earth pilgrim as a facilitator, so they can go back to there place and set up some Earth pilgrim walks in different parts of the world. This way earth pilgrim can grow and help many, many people, animals, charities for the benefit of all life.

If you are interested in getting involved, get in touch, any ideas, support through time, skills, donations, funding, anything will be  much appreciated.