The Art of Zen Birding

May 21st - 23rd, 2027

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Arrival: May 21st,  2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Departure: May 23rd, 12:30 PM

Tuition:
$200 + 2 nights lodging
Combined at checkout

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

Tuition:
$200 + 2 nights lodging
Combined at checkout

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

About the Retreat

What if birding became more than identifying birds? What if it became a way of slowing down, quieting the mind, and rediscovering your place within the living world? Set against the peaceful mountain landscapes of Drala Mountain Center, this immersive weekend retreat invites you to experience birds not as items on a checklist, but as teachers of presence, patience, compassion, and wonder.

Through guided bird walks, meditation, journaling, silent nature practices, and thoughtful conversation, you’ll learn to listen and observe with fresh eyes and an open heart. Whether you’re an experienced birder or have never picked up a pair of binoculars, you’ll discover practical birding skills while exploring the deeper art of mindful observation. Rather than rushing from one sighting to the next, we’ll practice slowing down, staying with a single bird, listening to the dawn chorus, and allowing nature to reveal itself on its own terms. Birds become our anchors, gently drawing us back to the present moment again and again.

Throughout the weekend, you’ll leave behind the noise and pace of everyday life and reconnect with something quieter and more enduring. You’ll return home not only with a greater appreciation for birds, but with simple practices for cultivating mindfulness, gratitude, and a deeper relationship with the natural world.

What to Expect

  • Guided bird walks, silent hikes, and mindful observation in the forests and meadows surrounding Drala Mountain Center
  • Guided meditation, breathing practices, journaling, and reflective group discussions
  • Hands-on instruction in bird identification by sight, sound, behavior, and habitat; suitable for beginners and experienced birders alike
  • Quiet moments of solitude, a visit to the Stupa, and time to reconnect with yourself through nature
  • Optional evening screening of a Zen-related movie and opportunities for personal reflection
  • Moderate walking on uneven trails (up to approximately 3 miles per outing)

No prior meditation or birding experience required.

Why attend?

Rediscover the joy of slowing down. By learning to observe birds with greater presence and curiosity, you’ll develop a calmer, more attentive way of engaging with the natural world and with your everyday life. Leave with practical mindfulness and birding practices you can return to long after the retreat ends.

Whether you’re walking through your neighborhood or hiking in the mountains, you’ll find new meaning in moments that once passed unnoticed. Develop a deeper appreciation for birds and the interconnected web of life they reveal. You’ll strengthen your powers of observation while cultivating patience, compassion, gratitude, and a renewed sense of wonder.

Return home feeling refreshed, grounded, and more connected to nature, to others, and to yourself. Rather than chasing the next experience, you’ll learn the quiet art of fully inhabiting the one already unfolding before you.

FAQs

Do I need birding or meditation experience?
Not at all. This retreat is designed for beginners and experienced birders alike, and all meditation practices are simple, approachable, and gently guided.

How physically demanding is the retreat?
Expect several leisurely walks of up to approximately 3 miles on uneven trails with frequent stops for observation, meditation, and reflection.

What if I’m not interested in Buddhism?
No prior knowledge or spiritual background is needed. While inspired by Zen principles such as mindfulness and compassion, the retreat is welcoming to people of all beliefs and focuses on direct experience in nature.

Will we spend most of our time identifying birds?
You’ll learn practical birding skills by sight, sound, behavior, and habitat, but the emphasis is on slowing down, observing deeply, and cultivating a more meaningful relationship with the natural world.

What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a journal, pencils & pens, colored pencils (if you want), and binoculars if you have them. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow.

Why Did Past Participants Love this
Retreat?

“I attended Ryan’s weekend workshop ‘The Art of Zen Birding’ at Drala Mountain Center and I would do it every year if I could! Ryan was knowledgeable, passionate, kind, sincere, funny, and inclusive—all the things I hope for in a guide and teacher. I look forward to future opportunities that I can learn more from him. Thank you, Ryan! Grateful for my time with you.” -Eddie Mockus

“We attended ‘The Art of Zen Birding’ with Ryan Dibala. Zen meditation and birding is an inspired pairing. Ryan is not only a professional birding guide, with encyclopedic knowledge , but a kind and patient individual who generously shared his love of birding with us beginners. Ryan is also an expert in mindfulness, and led us with grace. We had a wonderful time, and we recommend Ryan highly.”  -Jeanette Wotkyns

“This past weekend, my husband and I attended a retreat called ‘The Art of Zen Birding. It was a phenomenal experience. Ryan is an excellent guide in both nature and mindfulness. He is highly knowledgeable and a gifted leader and we would highly recommend his tours. A+++”  -Kathleen Mason

You can learn more about Ryan and check out his other offerings on his website: Birding Man Wildlife Tours

Retreat Faculty

Ryan Dibala

Ryan Dibala, Ph.D. is a certified master naturalist, birding guide, and author of several peer-reviewed articles on ecology. In 2022, he founded Birding Man Adventures, a nature tourism operator based out of Arvada, Colorado where he currently guides. He began birding sixteen years ago when he worked as a wildlife researcher restoring Bald Eagles to [...]

Lodging

We have several accommodations to choose from during checkout.
All options include our healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.

Single and Double Tents

Located in campgrounds throughout the property, these 12′ x 14′ tents have two twin beds, two bookcases and a hanging clothes rack.* Each campground offers a shared bathhouse. Summer platform tents are available from late May through early September. A tent can be rented as a single (without a roommate) or a double (with a roommate).

Some of our campgrounds were impacted by a recent wildfire and the affects may still be visible this summer, however, they are safe to use.

Bedding is not provided. Please bring your own twin sheets, blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow and towels.

Dormitories
Rooms with beds for up to 7-8 people. Gender-segregated with men in their own dorm and women in another. The dorms use a shared bathroom down the hall, which is also equipped with shower stalls.

Monk Rooms
A cost-effective option for participants looking for indoor, solitary lodging, but who don’t mind using a shared bathroom or are looking for a more affordable retreat solution. These rooms are in the same hall as the Ridgen Dormitories, but offer more privacy than the dorms. In addition to a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, the monk rooms also have a large window and a desk and desk chair for added comfort.

Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat where you want both your own space and your own bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4s bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower, no bathtub) attached to each room.

Junior Suite
Our Lodge Junior Suites include a queen-size bed topped by a cozy comforter, a desk, dresser, closet and private bath with bathtub, plus a sitting area.

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