Retreat Program Overview

Lawrence Schuessler is a wilderness guide, educator, Buddhist Dharma practitioner and meditation facilitator. He has spent the past 25+ years guiding and facilitating people in wild spaces all over the world. He believes that access and a sense of comfort in wild spaces is essential to finding ease and belonging.

This offering is for people who want to begin to or extend their comfort in natural settings. Through time spent learning foundational skills such as selfcare in the wild, how to sleep warm, and how to stay found.

Lawrence believes that with guidance and support anyone can find some sense of ease in the wilderness. Using mindfulness, humor, and movement, come gain skills and understanding of how you can engage with the outdoors in a way that feels true to you. 

During the retreat, spend time in meditation, hiking, skill building, connecting with other participants and in reflection and rest. Additional programming may include: Comfort in any weather, Dressing for the outdoors, Basic Map & Compass, 4 Directions for Navigation, Basic 1st Aid & Medical Kits, Sleeping Warm and Sleeping Cool, Stoves & Cooking Outdoors, Outdoor Gear, How to Pack a Day Pack, How to Pack a Backpacking Pack, Food Storage, How to Poop in nature, Safety Skills & How to Stay Safe, Trip Planning, Shelters & Set up and Use, Selfcare in the wilderness and Time for Questions and Answers.

The image below is an example of what our full retreat day schedule may look like.

Retreat Site & Lodging

This retreat will reside at Practice.Place, less than 1 minute walking from Stinson Beach, CA. There are single and shared bedrooms indoors and space for a few BYOTent campers. Starting with dinner, 3 vegetarian meals will be provided per day along with access to snacks, tea and coffee throughout each day.

A creek flows through the verdant quarter acre comes down from a restored riparian habitat that extends 1000 feet upstream in the lands of Stinson Beach Park. The house and cabins are nestled in a forest of willow trees, native plants and wild flowers. There are a network of hiking in Mount Tamalpias trails along with access to Bolinas Lagoon within 5-15 minutes walking too.

During this spring retreat, the weather and temperatures can vary. Thus, we’ll provide participants with a packing list for your comfort and safety.

Retreat Cost

Our retreat fees only cover basic costs: food, cook, site fee, administration costs, and other incidental expenses. These fees are priced on a sliding scale (based on the lodging you choose) to allow each participant to pay for what is most appropriate for themselves. We also provide a scholarship option for those who are unable to pay our lowest sliding scale fee. Visit our registration webpage for more.

Retreat fees do NOT include compensation for Lawrence (time spent planning & teaching) or for Off-Grid Retreats (time spent organizing). On the final retreat day, you will be invited to share dana (AKA to donate) to the Retreat Teacher and to Off-Grid Retreats.

Dana, the Pali word for generosity, has supported Buddhist cultures for 2500 years. In Asia, monks & nuns offer teaching and lay people fill their begging bowls each morning as they walk through the village on alms rounds. It is a beautiful exchange in which the hearts of both giver and receiver are opened in joy and gratitude.

Cancellation Policy

If you request a refund before December 10, 2025 we're able to provide you a full refund minus an administrative fee (less than $100). If you request a refund between December 10, 2025 and February 10, 2026, we'll provide you with a 50% refund minus an administrative fee (less than $100). If you request a refund after February 10, 2026, we're not able to provide you with any refund.

Retreat Teacher - Lawrence Schuessler

Lawrence was introduced to meditation and mindfulness through yoga and friends who were already on the path. He loves sitting meditation in nature and finding ways to engage in relational mindfulness. He has completed Inward Bound Mindfulness Teacher Training, Nature Dharma Training with Susie Harrington, Gil Fronsdal, and Mark Coleman. Currently he is in Community Dharma Leader 7 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and is a Guide with Sky Mind Retreats. He practices in the Theravada tradition.

Lawrence may lead an abbreviated retreat teaching. Email asha@offgridretreats.org for Zoom info.