This family of programs is offered by the Monterey Bay Meditation Studio, in collaboration with the Monterey Regional Parks District. These offerings are an opportunity for all of us to engage with and cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with our living Earth and, ultimately, foster a sense of care, compassion, and responsibility for her well-being.

The program includes:

Core Components

• Monthly Evening Gatherings: Building-Community and Storytelling Sessions with local nature advocates, to inspire and engage;

• Monthly Experiential Excursions with nature guides, to become intimate with our bioregion;

Special Events

• Earth Day Summit, April 24, 2021, to discover what we can do together;

• Adjunct Activities to expand awareness of what is possible through creativity and service.

Year-long or 6-month subscriptions are available to build a sense of community around deep connection with the living Earth. 

Evening GatheringS

at Palo Corona Regional Park

5:30-6:30 pm “Building-Community” We gather to connect with ourselves and each other through guided meditation, relational activities, and mindful discussion. Facilitated by Marianne Rowe.
(For Registered HomePlace Subscribers)

7:00-8:00 pm “Storytelling Sessions” A leading local naturalist, scientist, artist or community member shares personal inspirations, discoveries and amazements from their experiences in the natural world.
(Free, Open to the Public.)

First Monday of each month, except September, which has a special date.

Experiential Excursions

Throughout the Monterey Peninsula

We journey to state and regional parks, private lands, and little-known spots for 2-3 hour adventures, related to the Storyteller’s topic.

The Experiential Excursion brings Subscribers into direct engagement with the living Earth through experiential education, sensory awareness, mindfulness, nature meditation, relational invitations, and creative expression. We get to know the nature of our bio-region as we explore interconnection in a meaningful way. It could be described as putting the FUN in profundity. Led by Marianne Rowe (Certified Forest Therapy Guide) and, often, the previous Monday’s Storyteller.
(For Registered HomePlace Subscribers)

Held on the Saturday or Sunday following the Evening Gathering.

Special Events

HomePlace Art Show

A Celebration of the Earth, Sea, and Wilds of Monterey

Date to be announced, at Venture Gallery, Monterey, CA

A special event featuring local artists’ expressions and impressions of this place we call Home.

Participating artists include: Sherree Anderson, Debbie Griest, Barbara Furbush, Arlene Nolan, Deanna DeChauron, Bonnie Carver, Maria Poroy, Lilly Campos, Sarah Leonard, Arlene Nolan, Susann Cate Lynn, Dorothy Stonely, Nancy Olaeta, Tamara Selyangina, Vanessa Martin, Carol Gray, Cheryl Kampe, and Gordon Mayfield.

HomePlace Service Event

with Return of the Natives:

Finding Meaning through Purposeful Action

Since 1994, Return of the Natives, a group of educators, scientists, students and volunteers from the Monterey community, has been serving as environmental stewards through habitat restoration and environmental education.

This HomePlace Service Event offers the opportunity to actively participate in the partnership of humans, plants, and animals maintaining a healthy eco-system.

Details coming soon!

Adjunct Activities

(Costs not included with HomePlace Subscription)

MBMS Nature Meditation Offerings & Weekend Retreats

For more opportunities to engage and support what’s happening in our bioregion, see the Collaborator List below.

Cultivating a Sense
of Belonging and Awe

We sense belonging when we are fully present wherever we are.
We sense awe in realizing that we are part of something larger than our physical self.

Collaborators

These local agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals are all dedicated to protecting, restoring and tending the natural world. They have come together in the HomePlace program to offer opportunities to understand how everything fits together and supports each other on a scale more vast than we can imagine.

• Co-Sponsors

  • Monterey Bay Meditation Studio 

  • Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District

• Storytellers and Experiential Excursion Guides [More to come as schedule is completed]

  • Ecological Studies 

  • Elkhorn Slough Foundation 

  • Shamanic Healing Monterey 

  • Monterey Bay Aquarium  

  • California Marine Sanctuary Foundation 

  • Return of the Natives 

  • Passion for Place 

  • Ventana Wildlife Society

  • California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB)

  • Ground Studio

• Business Donors / Corporate Sponsors

• In-Kind Donors

  • Kristine Jensen

• Special Event Hosts

  • Venture Gallery 

  • Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History 

  • Return of the Natives  

• Scholarship Sponsors 

  • Alan Arvin

  • Debra Abbott

Additional Scholarship Sponsorships available (Please inquire: info@montereybaymeditation.com)