Archive: Nature Awareness

3 Questions to Ask at Any Age

By, Angie Di Iorio Blake and Maxine Iharosy 3 Questions for All Ages: Reflections from the Cushion Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is my source? These were the three questions Andrew guided us to contemplate during our first day long meditation retreat at Sarana Springs this past weekend. I  was... Read more about 3 Questions to Ask at Any Age

Want to grow your inner leader? Nature is your guide!

  “We need more focus on nature  and food awareness in the curriculum. What do you think about more focus on medicine from the land?” I was on the phone with Angie Di Iorio Blake, our Director for the Sarana Young Adult Program, and Andrew Blake, our main facilitator for Mindfulness and Compassion teachings in... Read more about Want to grow your inner leader? Nature is your guide!

Reflections from a YAP Participant

  I attended the Sarana Young Adult program in 2017. I wasn’t quite sure what I should expect, as I had never attended a program like this before. I was amazed at the end of the first day! Meditation practice was not something I had incorporated into my life, despite wanting to. I hadn’t been... Read more about Reflections from a YAP Participant

Cooking the Young Adult Program

Reflections on ‘Cooking’ the Sarana Young Adult Program by Angie + Andrew Blake As our world’s next leaders, I feel young adults really need our support in facing the complex challenges of our world today– stress, anxiety, violence, and environmental crisis. So much to cope with. In Roshi Bernie Glassman’s book, Instructions to the Cook, he explore... Read more about Cooking the Young Adult Program

Sacred Action through the Sarana Young Adult Program

written by Natalie Howard https://www.natyhoward.com/ Sacred Action through the Sarana Young Adult Program words from a mother, teacher, & advocate of authentic living. “Sacred Action borne out of Compassionate Spiritual  Wisdom, Unites”— Don Oscar Miro-Quesada. As a mother of 3 vibrant boys I do all that I do not only for my own well being... Read more about Sacred Action through the Sarana Young Adult Program

Mindfulness + Compassion Retreat

Mindfulness + Compassion Retreat: Opening Our Tender Heart to Compassion This Retreat is Now Full. Please Email Us If Wishing to be on the Wait List Dates: OCTOBER 13 – 15th Location: Sarana Springs, Chatsworth ON Fee: $195 includes meals With gratitude, we are able offer this retreat at a reduced cost due to the... Read more about Mindfulness + Compassion Retreat

Seeds of the Youth Program by Angie

“Gardening is about awareness and relationship—consequential relationship. It’s also about taking a stand and standing by your principles. At the same time, it’s about giving up control and learning from your mistakes…Meditation and gardening settle [us] down into the deep core of the present moment, they also shift shape and take on the world in... Read more about Seeds of the Youth Program by Angie

A Voice for the Youth by Maxine

It’s no doubt we live in times of dire consequences amounting to turbulent climate change, anxious populations, and the loss of lineage through species declineto name a few. There is a feeling I get though, when in the company of trees and sky, and other humans who have been softened by the teachings of nature,... Read more about A Voice for the Youth by Maxine