Held at The Octagon in Brooks Maine
Our hearts close off from feeling so easily. It takes work to create the conditions for them to open up, especially when there is so much pain in the world. The more our hearts open, the more we feel, and the more we can act with love.
About the Retreat
Each one of us is on a journey to discover ourselves and our place in this world. There is so much external expectations about what we should or shouldn’t be doing in our lives and even in our meditation practice. It takes work to let go of all that and find our own way.
During this retreat you will be supported to navigate and find the meditation practices and your relationship to practicing to that will be most supportive to your journey.
The weekend will be fully facilitated with Gabriel’s signature style of Q&A after each meditation to best inform the next mediation offering. For those able to attend the week portion of the retreat, Q&A will be offered at 11:30am and 4:30pm each day with the rest of the time yours to sit & walk your path in community. The goal for the weekend for anyone not yet settled in their core practice(s) to get ready for the week of supported self practice.
Meditation as Activism
Sometimes it may be hard to prioritize retreats given the times we are living in. How could being still for an entire weekend be the most important thing to do? For me, meditating supports acting in ways that are aligned with my inner compass. Ethics and justice are the direct result of my meditation practice. My belief is that by attending this retreat it will support you, those around you, and that as you walk your life more present and with more love that will ripple outwards.
About the Teacher
Gabriel Baldwin has been attending retreats in the Insight/Vipassana tradition since 2002 and has been teaching meditation as his primary vocation since 2013. His training and practice includes Tibetan, secular mindfulness, and somatic psychotherapy influences.
To read more about lineage.
About The Octagon
Located on a homestead in Brooks, Maine the Octagon is a large one room building with an earthen floor and fire pit in the center. The roof has a louvered vent for smoke to exit when there is a fire lit and a window on each wall. My father, Peter Baldwin, built it about two decades ago and has hosted men’s groups in the space over the years. It wants to be used. The 16 principles of the Earth Charter are written on wooden panels around the space. The Earth Charter is a document created by representatives from around the world that seeks to inspire a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. You can read more about the Earth Charter here.
The Details
September 6 & 7, 2025
September 8-12 (Optional)
Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm suggested with Q&A at 11:30am and 4:30pm
The Octagon will be open to meditation at all hours. These times are just when Gabriel will be facilitating.
Who is the retreat for? All bodied people. All gender & queer expressions. All racial groups. All class groups. Newer meditators all the way to experienced ones. Gabriel’s approach uses plain language and is oriented around being accessible. Gabriel is responsible for holding the space in a way that will minimize and prevent harm from occurring non-verbally or verbally.
Donation:
The retreat, like all of my meditation teaching, is offered freely with donations welcome from participants. At the end of the retreat there will be an opportunity to leave a donation. I often get the question, “what amount is appropriate?” To the degree that feels right and good for you given your financial situation and that you feel grateful and moved to give genuinely without shame or guilt.
Fee:
Fee $30 to Register for Sept 6 & 7, Commuters
Fee $50 to Register for Sept 6 – 12, Commuters
Fee $80 to Register for Sept 6 & 7, Campers
Fee $130 to Register for Sept 6 – 12, Campers
This registration fee is used to care for the space and land. If this fee is beyond your means or prohibitive to you attending please reach out to request accommodation.
Food: Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch and eat together. Additionally, there are also several options in the village of Brooks to get something to eat: Wentworth Family Grocery (deli), the Marsh River Coop, Ralphs Cafe, and sometimes Cal’s food truck.
Campers: If you elect to camp on the property, this is a rustic, bring your own tent etc situation. There will be access to potable water and outhouses. You will be responsible for your own meals and any other needs you may have. There is room for a few small pop-up trailers, vans, or RVs. We are located on a windy hill so, sadly, campfires are unsafe to use. You’d need to have your own camping stove for cooking.
Accessibility: The Octagon is located at the top of a hill. Just outside the village of Brooks you drive up a 1/4 mile gravel road leading to a gravel parking area next to a couple houses. From there walking 200 feet on a mowed path across a field to reach the Octagon over somewhat uneven ground. If this walk is beyond the means of any participant it could be driven. There is a step over the threshold into the space as well. We ask that everyone refrains from wearing scented products to support people affected by strong scents.
COVID: If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms leading up to the retreat or over the weekend please do not attend and notify Gabriel to let everyone know about potential exposure. For reference, there are screened windows in each of the walls providing passive ventilation.
To Register:
Reach out below if you have any questions about the retreat. I’m touched by your interest.