Rocky Mountain
Ecodharma Retreat Center

A Home for Meditation in Nature

Metta – The Practice of Loving-Kindness

Sep 22 - 28, 2025

Leader

  • Barry Gillespie
    Barry Gillespie
    Leader

    Barry Gillespie was introduced to meditation practice in 1978, through the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram. In 2003 he began exploring Theravada Buddhist practice, sitting many long retreats at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and Spirit Rock in Woodacre, CA. His principal teacher is Guy Armstrong. Barry is an affiliated teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado (IMCC). He teaches mainly in Boulder and at the Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

In these challenging times, cultivating goodwill through Metta, or Loving-Kindness Meditation, helps us embody positivity and create meaningful change without harm. During this retreat, participants will observe Noble Silence, engage in sitting and walking meditation, receive instruction, attend dhamma talks, have one-on-one meetings with the teacher, and enjoy short hikes in RMERC’s beautiful natural setting.

RETREAT DETAILS

We are living in very difficult times. How can we keep our hearts and minds open and not be overwhelmed? The answer to that question is that we need to try to be filled with thoughts of good will and express those thoughts in our words and actions as we communicate with every being we encounter, despite the difficulty of doing so. Metta, Loving-Kindness Meditation is how we can learn to move towards this more wholesome way of being, becoming beacons of goodwill. This will allow us to effect positive change in the world without causing harm to ourselves or other. This idea is not new, in fact the form of this meditation practice was laid down in commentaries on the Buddha’s teaching about 2000 years ago.

SCHEDULE

Monday (September 22)
4:00-5:00    Register – Move in to rooms, tents, etc. – get settled
5:30-6:45    Dinner, clean up dinner, get settled
6:45-7:15    Introductions – Talk on how things will work, noble silence, process questions
7:15-8:00    Taking Refuge – brief sitting instructions – sit
8:00-8:15    Break
8:15-9:30    Dharma talk, questions, dedicate the merit.
9:30            Bedtime
10:00          Lights out

Tuesday – Saturday (September 23 – 27)
5:45am           Wake-up Bell
6:15-7:00        Sit
7:00-8:45        Breakfast and work period
8:45-9:30        Sit with instructions
9:30-9:45        Questions
9:45-10:15      Walking practice
10:151-1:00     Sit
11:00-11:30    Walking practice
11:30-noon     Sit
Noon-1:45      Lunch and work period
1:45-2:15         Sit
2:15-3:00         Gentle Yoga Class or Walking Practice
3:00-3:45          Sit
3:45-4:30         Walking Practice
4:30-5:00          Sit
5:00-6:30          Dinner and work period
6:30-7:00          Sit
7:00-7:30          Walking Practice
7:30-8:30          Dharma Talk
8:30-9:00          Walking Practice
9:00-9:30          Sit with Chanting, Dedicate the Merit
9:30                  Bedtime
10:00                 Lights out

Sunday (September 28)
5:45am           Wake-up Bell
6:15-7:00        Sit
7:00-8:45        Breakfast, work period and Packing rooms
8:45-9:30        Sit
9:30-10:00      Walking practice
10:00am-noon    Talking Practice, Questions and Answers, Discussion & Sharing, Chanting, Closing Ceremonies and Dedication of Merit
Noon – 1:00     Lunch

 

THINGS TO KNOW

LEADER SUPPORT: DANA OFFERINGS TO LEADERS

The price of retreats is set as low as possible and covers only retreat center expenses. None of the fee goes to the leaders, who are solely supported by the voluntary dana offerings of yogis. In the tradition of the Buddha, the amount of the dana offering is up to each individual. We do ask that your offering be as generous as your finances allow in order to support the tireless efforts of the leaders. Please bring a check or cash. We are very grateful for your support.

PAYMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Payment and Cancellation Policies

Retreats with RMERC Registration

A non-refundable deposit of $120 (for retreats 4 nights and under) or $180 (for retreats over 4 nights) is due at the time of registration to hold your space. Full payment is due 60 days before the retreat start date. If you signed up earlier than 60 days,  your credit card will be automatically charged at 60 days before the retreat start date.

Early Bird Discounts

RMERC offers an average 10% discount for registrations made earlier than 90 days before the start of the retreat.

Payments

Our registration system accepts payments only by debit and credit card. If you require an alternate payment method, you may request to pay by Paypal or by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). To pay by Paypal or EFT, select ‘Alternate forms of payment’ during registration; after completing the registration, email [email protected] for payment details. Note that if paying by alternate means, we must receive full payment to reserve your place in the retreat.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

  • The registration deposit ($120 or $180) is non-refundable.
  • For cancellation requests received 60-30 days prior to the retreat start date, RMERC will offer a refund of half of the final payment (the final payment is the full amount less the deposit).
  • For cancellation requests received 30-7 days prior to the event start date, RMERC will offer a refund of 25% of the final payment.
  • For cancellations inside of 7 days there will be no refunds.
Scholarships

Retreats with RMERC Registration

We invite anyone with financial hardship to apply for an RMERC scholarship. Scholarship awards are based on need and availability of funds. We ask that you request the lowest amount required to attend the retreat, so that we can offer support to as many people as possible. Do not let cost be an impediment to your attending.

Click here to apply for an RMERC Scholarship.

Scholarship awards do not guarantee acceptance into a retreat. Please register as soon as possible after receiving your award to make sure space is available.

FOOD AND MEALS

Meals are vegetarian and may include eggs or dairy, with vegan and gluten-free options available.  Usually the cook can accommodate common food allergies such as gluten or dairy, but not food preferences. Make sure to include any special allergy or health needs you have during registration.

Tea, coffee and such are available all day long, along with some simple snacks such as mixed nuts and fruit. If you want a snack between meals, or supplemental protein, you can bring a small quantity of packaged unrefrigerated food. Please do not bring anything that needs refrigeration (medicine excepted). Excessive snacks are unnecessary: if you need a boost, a little gorp or an energy bar is sufficient for most people.

GENERAL RETREAT INFORMATION
RMERC Lodging

Lodging at RMERC includes

  • Single and double rooms
  • ‘Mini-singles’, available in the shoulder seasons
  • A single ‘nook’
  • Glamping and camping, available in the summer and early fall
  • RV spaces, available all season.

See lodging details and photos here. Available lodging options are presented during registration.

Waivers and Minimum Age

All participants must sign an RMERC Waiver and Release to participate in activities at RMERC. Click here to sign the Waiver and Release. Some leaders may require their own waiver and release.

Participants must be 18 years or older to attend a retreat at RMERC. We are not able to accommodate children.

Yogi Jobs

Some of the work necessary to support the group will be handled by participants during the retreat. Yogi jobs will be organized by the retreat manager. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action. Yogi jobs typically include meal prep, meal clean up, bathrooms, tea bar, and last-day clean up.

Phone and Internet Service

You will be out of contact with no internet access or cell phone service during the retreat. The nearest strong cell signal could be as far away as the plains north of Boulder, or in the town of Nederland.

Please complete all personal business before you arrive. The staff will have the ability to make and receive emergency calls or emails on your behalf, but phone and internet are only available for emergency use.

Equipment List

Weather in the Rocky Mountains is variable and often unpredictable. Sunny skies can quickly give way to fast-moving storms, bringing sudden rain, hail, and wind, regardless of the season. Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically between day and night, with warm midday conditions followed by cold or freezing temperatures at night. During June-September, average highs are 65-75 F and lows are 35-45 F. In May and October average highs are in the 50s and lows are below freezing. April and November are colder still. 

Equipment lists vary from one retreat to the next. Download an equipment list for your retreat on the retreat listing (or contact the retreat organizer). A general equipment list is available here: PDF Version | Word Version.

Please do not bring a radio, music player, iPod, laptop, books, axe, alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs. Think about whether you really need a camera; is it consistent with the intentions of a retreat?

Altitude Sickness

RMERC is at an elevation of 8600 feet, and most people coming from lower elevations experience some effects of altitude. If you are coming from sea level, we recommend that you arrive in the Denver area a night earlier to help acclimatize. Remember to stay hydrated, stay warm, and take it easy the first day or two at the retreat center. Be kind to yourself.

No Fragrances Please

Out of consideration for others, we ask that you not use scented self-care products, oils, or fragrances. We ask that everyone exercise the utmost respect for self and others. Thank you!

Infectious Disease Policy

See the complete infectious disease policy here.

RMERC prioritizes creating a safe and comfortable retreat environment. RMERC does not require vaccinations, testing, or masks at this time. However, individual retreat leaders may determine stricter protocols at their discretion, and RMERC may revise the infectious disease policy in response to changes in public health guidelines 

We recommend wearing N95 masks during travel and self-monitoring your possible exposure before arrival. If you experience symptoms, contact the retreat leader and consider adjusting your plans. HEPA air purifiers are available in shared rooms, and mask-wearing is always welcome.

TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL AT RMERC
Arrival and Departure Times

Most retreats begin at 4:00 pm on the first day of the retreat (please check the start times in the retreat details). Yogis may arrive 1 hour early but they will not have access to the lodge or bathrooms. Yogis who are camping may set up their tents at that time. Note that all tents must be on the lodge side of the stream.

Most retreats end after lunch on the last day of the retreat, and all participants must vacate the property by 2:00 pm.  

Travel to the Retreat Center

RMERC is located about 45 minutes NW of Boulder, at 8941 Overland Rd., Ward, CO. If driving, please park in our main parking lot by the road and walk down to the lodge.

There is no public transportation to the center, and if you need a ride, the best option is to carpool with other yogis. RMERC provides a rideshare forum if your retreat uses RMERC-hosted registration (see details for your retreat). Otherwise, you may contact the leader of your retreat for assistance. Uber or Lyft may provide another option; please contact them to inquire.

Note: there is no cell phone service in the region around the retreat center.

Flights to Denver

Denver International Airport (DIA)  is about 90 minutes from the center. Your best options for travel to the center are:

You should plan on your flight arriving no later than 1 pm to reach the retreat center on time. Return flights departing from the Denver airport should leave no earlier than 5:30 or 6 pm. Please do not plan on leaving the retreat early.

MISCELLANEOUS
RMERC Donations and Membership

RMERC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to offer low-cost retreats to as many people as possible. At the end of your retreat, you are invited to make a tax deductible donation to RMERC, and also to join the membership program of the RMERC community if you so choose. More information is here.

Pets and Service Animals

RMERC does not allow pets or service animals, as moose and bears become more dangerous in their presence.

Hiking Trails
Lightning Hazards

Thunder and lightning storms are not uncommon during the summer months, and lightning is a very real hazard. Take shelter in a lightning storm, ideally in a building or in a car. If that is not possible, crouch down and maintain a low profile until the storm passes. Sound travels approximately 1 mile every 5 seconds. Count the number of seconds between a lightning strike and the sound of thunder; a 10-15 second delay indicates that lightning is several miles away, and is warning to take shelter.

Equipment Rentals and Supplies

Please check with REI in Boulder (303-583-9970) for rentals of tents, sleeping bags, pads, backpacks, etc. Boulder is the largest city in the area, and the best source of supplies. Nederland also has a few well-stocked stores, including grocery, outdoor shop, and library (but no pharmacy).

Nearby Camping

If you are searching for a place to camp prior to arrival or post-departure, we recommend using phone apps to search, for example,

  • iOverlander, for a wide variety of options
  • RV Parky, especially good for finding RV parking options
  • The Dyrt, for both free and paid camping options (premium version is best)
  • Recreation.gov app, for reservations at federal campgrounds (cost is very reasonable)
  • Hipcamp, for lower-cost camping and lodging options

 

KEY POINTS

  • DATES AND TIMES:

    Arrival:  Monday, Sept. 22, 4 pm.  Departure:  Sunday, Sept. 28, 2 pm.

  • REQUIREMENTS:

    The only requirement is an open heart/mind ready to change in a wholesome direction

  • EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:

    Early bird discount $75, ending June 25, 2025.

  • PROGRAM COST:

    $600 - $990 (includes food and lodging)

  • LEADER SUPPORT:

    By donation (see Things to Know)

  • PROGRAM QUESTIONS:

    Contact Barry, [email protected]

  • REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:

    Contact Kathy at [email protected] 

  • EQUIPMENT LIST:

    Download an Equipment List

  • CALENDAR:

    Back to Events Calendar

RETREAT MANAGER

Retreat Manager

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For other contact information, see Contact Us.

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2024 Retreats

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GREEN BARS SHOW EXISTING RESERVATIONS

NOTE: The first and last days of back-to-back bookings overlap by one day.

That is, you can check in the same day as another party is checking out, or you can check out the same day as another party is checking in. Check-in time is 2 pm, and check-out time is 2 PM (disregard times on the calendar).

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