We are delighted to announce that we are now accepting applications for our

Wild Earth ~ Wild Soul
Nature-based Practice Group

a 9-month experience of soul-centered human community
in a more-than-human world

April – December, 2024

Scroll down for more information & detailed schedule

Click here for application

Living through these times of unprecedented challenge, we find ourselves at a precarious moment in Earth’s story. Ecological, social and economic systems are all approaching tipping points. Yet, we trust that we — being a product of 13.5 billion years of evolution on this planet — were made for these times.

And in these times, we called by the living Earth to both re-member and re-imagine what it means to be human. To practice new ways of understanding ourselves, new ways of relating to each other, and new ways of inhabiting this living world. We are being called to do our part in what Joanna Macy calls the “Great Turning”, and to move closer to creating what Charles Eisenstein calls “the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible”.

In the face of such uncertainty and opportunity — with eyes and hearts wide open, knowing our individual lives are finite, and believing that the way we show up matters — the essential question becomes: “How, then, shall we live?”

In order to build our capacity to meet these times with resilience, hope and inspiration, the Wild Earth ~ Wild Soul Practice Group aims to explore, support and cultivate the following essential dimensions of the human experience:

• Nature: Learning to live in deeply meaningful and reciprocal relationship with the living world.  As humans we are just one expression of life in a more-than-human world. We aspire to both recognize the gifts and accept the responsibilities of being an integral and powerful part of the earth community.  Who might we become, as we engage intentionally with a living world, as if every being were alive, intelligent, and suffused with soul, imagination and purpose?

• Community: Learning to live as embodied, relational human beings in community with others.  We practice relating and supporting each other with authenticity, openness, compassion, warmth and curiosity.  What might emerge from this kind of holding space?

• Soul & Spirit: Inquiring into the deep mystery of who we really are, and why we are here – discovering our deeper calling and more fully embodying a soul-centered life of meaning and purpose. As the poet Mary Oliver asks, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”

Our home base for this profound work is the wild and beautiful land of Tinaja Ridge — a hidden jewel of wildness in the Rocky Mountain foothills near Lyons, CO.  We practice engaging in sustained, meaningful and reciprocal relationship with each other and the living, animate world.  And through a variety of practices of deep nature-based and soul-centered inquiry, we continually explore the mystery of who we are, who we are becoming, and how we can live more fully and courageously in these times of radical change and renewal.

Our 2024 Wild Earth ~ Wild Soul Practice Group includes:

• 8 full-day immersion experiences: One Saturday each month, April through December, meeting outdoors in our home ground here at Tinaja Ridge (in the foothills near Lyons, CO).  Each of these day-long experiences will include opportunities for deepening into relational community; intentional solo wandering and connecting with wild nature; and engaging in a variety of nature-based mindfulness, embodiment and ceremonial practices.

• 1 full weekend retreat:  In early August, we gather for a 2.5-day intensive, with the option of overnight camping. This weekend will be a time for deeper ceremony, connection and extended solo time in the land.

• 7 mid-month evening gatherings: These will be held on a Tuesday evening, roughly mid-way between our monthly day-long immersions, in Boulder. 

• 4 personal mentoring sessions: Meeting 1:1 with one of the guides, either in person or by Zoom.  These 1:1 sessions provide a rich opportunity to deepen into your personal unfoldment, integration and ongoing soul work. Four sessions are included, with the option of additional personal mentoring throughout the year at a reduced fee. 

• Suggested readings and nature-based practices to engage with on your own time between our group gatherings.

• Engaging with a practice partner each month to foster vibrant personal connections between all participants as well as support deepening into your ongoing nature-based practice.

• Opportunities for half- or full-day solo experiences at Tinaja Ridge, supported by Gene and/or Lauren, during the 9 months

Wild Earth ~ Wild Soul Practice Group Application Form

Group size is limited to 10 participants.

Here’s what recent participants are saying:

“Gene and Lauren are masters at facilitating a circle that fosters open-heartedness, acceptance, and safety. They are adept listeners who see and hear the beauty and depth of each individual.  They hold a space which enables me to open my heart and to give voice to  my inner knowing.  It is transformative.”
~Joan C. (WE/WS, 2021 and 2023)

“The 9 month Wild Earth – Wild Soul adventure was wonderful and skillfully orchestrated by Gene and Lauren, who beautifully weave together their skills in working with people and the land. They use poetry, music, nature, guided meditation, pilgrimages and connection with the participants to weave the essence of soul into the more than human world.  I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in expanding their relationship with Nature.”
~Jeff A. (WE/WS 2023)

“Following the guidance of our facilitators, I learned to give the other participants the same “delighted attention” I gave to the trees, and in turn, I received the same. As we built trust and connection and learned skillful ways to communicate authentically; as we held each other’s stories with love and care; as we listened deeply and were listened to in turn, I experienced a powerful opening of the heart:  I and my fellow humans are Nature, just as the trees, animals, earth and sky are Nature.”
~Susan D. (WE/WS, 2023)

“Tinaja Ridge is a magical setting for nature based practices. Gene and Lauren’s love and commitment to the land and to providing deep, soul connecting practices are nurturing and healing. We are fortunate to have them as a resource.”
~Ginnie W. (WE/WS, 2021 and 2023)

Your guides:

Gene Dilworth, MA: Gene is dedicated to the project of rewilding the human spirit as an essential dimension of being fully alive and fully human in these challenging times. By nurturing meaningful relationship with the more-than-human world and facilitating deep inquiry into the mystery of one’s true nature, he supports individuals to discover, re-member and live from the center of their soul-rooted sense of belonging to the world. With degrees in ecology and ecopsychology, Gene has been teaching and guiding groups and mentoring individuals in transformative nature-based experiences for since the mid-1980’s. He is founder of the Wild Heart Center for Nature & Psyche, and frequently guides wilderness retreats through Animas Valley Institute.

Lauren Golten MS, MA: Lauren is a nature-based therapist and a group facilitator drawing upon her extensive training and experience with the Animas Valley Institute’s  Wild Mind work, the Matrix Leadership Institute, and the Work That Reconnects. She holds masters degrees in Field Biology and Wilderness Therapy. Lauren’s 25-year practice and study of meditation and mindfulness, and her life-long love of the natural world, are core to her work as a therapist and facilitator. She sees clients and leads nature-based programs at her home-place of Wild Tinaja Ridge near Lyons, Colorado.

2024 Schedule and Registration:

8 Monthly daylong immersions:

• Saturdays, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (at Tinaja Ridge)
• April 20, May 11, June 8, July 6, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7

1 Full weekend retreat:

• August 2-4 is a 2.5-day intensive, with option of overnight camping both nights (at Tinaja Ridge)

7 Monthly evening council gatherings:

• Tuesday evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm (in Boulder)
• May 21, June 25, July 16, Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 17

Financial commitment:  

To ensure this program is accessible to people of all income levels, we offer deep discounts for early registration.  A monthly payment plan is available at no extra charge.

Full tuition:   $3200

A non-refundable $250 deposit is required upon registration to hold your spot.

If you want to join us and make the commitment, and the only barrier to your participation is financial, please contact us and we’ll do our best to find creative ways to make it possible for you!

Payment can be accepted via:

• Venmo to @Gene-Dilworth (preferred)
• PayPal to genedilworth@gmail.com
• Check (contact us for mailing address)

Wild Earth ~ Wild Soul Practice Group Application Form

We hope you’ll consider joining us this year!  We are really looking forward to creating another rich and meaningful experience with a small group of whole-hearted humans in deep relationship with the natural world.

Feel free to contact us by email or phone (303-641-6333) if you are interested but need more information or have any questions.

And if you are feeling a YES!, please fill out this short application form. We will then set up a brief (15-30 min) call to discuss your interest, answer all your questions, and ensure this group is a good fit for you at this time.