Finding Purpose and Meaning through the Practice of Living and Dying
Oct 10th, 2025 - Oct 16th, 2025 | Catalina State Park - Tucson, Arizona | Silvia Talavera, Gretchen (Grae) Gerlach
Life is the primal impulse towards a never ending search for vitality and also the struggle to survive. Without death the life force could not exist. It has been said we come into the world with death beside us. And in the end our physical death is the ultimate rite of passage. This begs the questions: What is my relationship with my own mortality? How does the certainty of my own death inform my life? What are contemporary practices to support living and dying in these complex times of cultural and environmental crisis and “the great separation” from self and nature?
Life is uncertain and there are no final answers to these and many more questions, rather an opportunity to begin to cultivate new ways we can deepen our relationship with our mortality.
Keeping death close at hand has been key to helping many at the end of their lives to realize what matters most. We will come together to explore how we can find ways to shift our attention more consciously towards our own mortality, and look at what emerges for each of us as we hold the tension between being alive while walking towards death. Welcoming in conversations with the land, and each other about death (the hidden teacher), our fears and our relationship with this unknown territory.
Daily solo time in nature during which time you will explore and foster your own ways of walking through this fertile and mysterious landscape. Culminating in a dawn to dusk contemplative solo and ending our last evening with an offering of a fire ceremony.
This program is offered to all humans who are interested in deepening a natural relationship with death and bringing the focus toward living life with meaning and joy.
“That you would gather yourself and decide carefully how you can
live the life you would love to look back on from your deathbed. “
– John O’Donohue
Program Questions Contact: Silvia Talavera at [email protected]
Additional course details & Materials
Program Logistics: We will begin with our first meeting on October 10th at 4:00PM and will we end at 4:30 pm October 16th. We will be camping out the entire time. The group camp site (Flycatcher) will be available after 12:00PM on October 16th. The camp ground is available until Noon October 17th. An equipment list and a detailed logistics letter will be provided upon enrollment. We encourage you to arrive by 2:00PM to allow time for you to set up before our first meeting Additional Fees: $120 other fees TBD. All fees to be paid at time of arrival
You will be responsible for bringing your own food and equipment, though we can provide some gear if needed. We ask everyone to come prepared to live self-sufficiently. You will need to bring shelter and clothing suitable for a full range of inclement weather.
All participants must submit the required health questionnaire and liability form.
If you have questions about the enrollment process contact us at [email protected] or call 760-938-3333.
There is no required reading for this program.
Indigenous lands of the Hohokam, Tohono O’odham and Yaqui Indians.
To learn more about our commitment to regenerative relationships please visit Cultural Relations.