August 2 at Mercy by the Sea in Madison, CT

About this Offering

“Living Earth, Living Cosmos” will invite participants into an immersive day-long experience of spiritual renewal through deep connection with our planetary home. We will orient ourselves by watching the “Journey of the Universe” film, weaving together science with ancient spiritual wisdom to tell the epic story of cosmic evolution. Participants will then journey through the “Cosmic Walk,” an embodied ritual experience of the 13.8-billion-year Universe Story, held along a 138-foot spiral on the shores of expansive Long Island Sound. We will reflect together on what it means to be interconnected with life from cells to animals to stars bringing forth the elements of our bodies.

During our afternoon session, we will come into our Earthly being and touch into the aliveness that is present in every moment. Opportunities to connect with the land and ocean will be offered through a series of sensory meditations that invite us to awaken to the sacredness of life, renewing a sense of kinship and community with the natural world.

Our time together will conclude with a final reflection that will unite our Cosmic and Earthly interconnection, from stars to trees and the sea that laps the shores of time, expanding our sense of belonging in vast and intimate ways.

About the Presenters

Sam King is an environmental educator, writer, facilitator and activist. He serves as a Researcher for the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology and Project Manager for the Emmy Award-winning “Journey of the Universe” film and multimedia project where he curates a monthly newsletter and hosts a podcast inviting audiences into a deeper understanding of what it means to be woven into the 13.8-billion-year story of the cosmos. He is also Director of Integral Ecology for the Marist School Network, working with youth leaders around the country to nurture their spiritual connection with nature and advance climate action, biodiversity restoration, and environmental justice. Learn more about Sam at https://fore.yale.edu/About-Us/Who-We-Are/Our-Team.

Regan Stacey is a returning Mercy by the Sea presenter who has facilitated many day and weekend program offerings. She is an artist and advocate for Earth whose passion is to bring humans and nature together for personal, collective, and planetary wellbeing. She is the co-founder of The Forest Therapy School, a forest therapy guide training program, and offers forest bathing and mindfulness in nature retreats. She is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher though Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Learn more about Regan at https://reganstacey.com/.