EARLY BIRD 10% DISCOUNT UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST
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EARLY BIRD 10% DISCOUNT UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST 〰️
Overview & Site Info
Knowing Our True Nature: An earth-based meditation yoga retreat is a silent, nature-based Buddhist Insight meditation and Hatha yoga retreat led by Mary Paffard. This third annual gathering invites participants to deepen their connection with body, community, and the living earth through meditation instruction, yoga practice, and deep listening to the earth body—both inwardly and outwardly.
We will be camping and glamping at Pomo Tierra, an 80-acre apple farm and intentional community nestled in the hills of Mendocino County. The land includes oak groves, a pond, hiking trails, and natural waters.
The retreat is open to practitioners of all levels. Our days will include silent and guided sitting meditation, walking practice, yoga sessions, and Dharma talks. Weather permitting, all activities will be held outdoors.
Founded in 1971, Pomo Tierra has long been a place of shared cultivation and celebration. Today, its community continues to welcome guests into its central gathering spaces, orchards, and shaded groves. Facilities include bathrooms near the main house, cold water, and regular showers. Walking options range from gentle orchard paths (5–20 minutes), to a meadow loop (30 minutes), and an option for a steeper up hill climb.
Your retreat fee includes three locally sourced, mostly organic vegetarian meals daily, with simple substitutions available for those with dietary restrictions.
Participants are asked to bring their own yoga equipment (mat, pillow, blanket), and, if possible, a meditation cushion. On arrival, each person will also be invited to take on a simple yogi job—such as food preparation or cleanup—as an opportunity to integrate practice and contribute to the well-being of the Sangha.
Please note: This is not a fragrance free retreat! We ask all participants to not use fragrances however Pomo Tierra is a collective home, not an official retreat center and we cannot guarantee that all areas are free of fragrances. If you are fragrance sensitive, this is not the retreat for you.
This is a camping retreat and participants need to be able to deal with the uneven terrain. This is not a suitable retreat for folks with mobility issues or serious physical limitations.
Retreat Cost & Lodging Options
The Buddha asked that the teaching of the Dharma be offered freely, without charge, since it is of infinite value, and beyond any price that could be put on it. In this spirit, your registration fee does NOT include compensation for Mary for planning and teaching the retreat. On the final retreat day, you will be invited to share dana (AKA donations) to the Retreat Teacher.
We’re providing a EARLY BIRD 10% DISCOUNT until December 1st!
Our registration fees are priced on a sliding scale (based on the lodging you choose - camping or BYOTent / Van) with varying rates. Please choose the payment rate that best suits you. All options include access to the site and vegetarian meals.
Benefactor rate - This is 1.3x the sustainer rate. By selecting this option, you help us offset the costs of those that register with the basic rate. The excess that you pay above the sustainer rate is tax deductible.
Sustainer rate - This rate covers retreat costs (site fee, food, cook, equipment, etc.)
Basic rate - This rate is partially subsidized through community generosity / fundraising. It is $100 less than the sustainer rate.
Visit our registration for more.
Cancellation Policy
If you request a refund before December 1, 2026, we're able to provide you a full refund minus a $100 admin fee. If you request a refund between December 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027, we'll provide you with a 50% refund minus a $100 admin fee. We’re unable to provide refunds after February 1, 2027.
To keep the retreat as affordable as possible, our retreat fees are set to simply cover the expenses of putting on the retreat—renting the venue, compensating retreat staff, etc. When someone drops out, we still incur all of those expenses. For this reason, we are unable to make exceptions to our cancellation and refund policy—even when you have a very good reason for canceling. Thank you for your understanding.
Retreat Teacher
Mary Paffard has been teaching yoga and training teachers worldwide since 1985. She co-founded Yoga Mendocino, a non profit yoga center and directed their teacher training for 10+ years and has been part of other teacher training faculty in the Bay Area and internationally. She has been a long time Insight meditation practitioner beginning in the early 80s sitting long and short retreats annually since that time.
Mary completed Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program in 2007 and the Buddhist Ecology Chaplaincy program at the Sati Center in 2024 and has contributed to many Vipassna retreats with Ajahn Amaro, Christina Feldman and Narayan Liebenson, to name a few. She is also part of a cross-cultural exchange with Cuban yogis and meditators.
Mary lives at Pomo Tierra with her partner and family, blending outdoor life, caring for grandkids, and continuing this meandering, humbling and inspiring path in the yoga, eco and meditation worlds.
This retreat grew out of a wish to support the practice of her own community and local folks who are seeking refuge in the dharma and appreciate the outdoor/eco emphasis in the practice. Mary will be leading this retreat in both the meditation and yoga arenas and will be bringing in wisdom and inspiration from some of her own teachers and colleagues. More experienced students may be asked to lead a silent sit (ie just ring the bell and be there!) and Mary may ask for other ways we can all support this community based retreat. All are welcome to join us!