- CAMPING – $525.00
- RV CAMPING 1 - Lodge Parking Area – $525.00
- GLAMPING TENT – $620.00
- MINI SINGLE – $525.00
- SEMI-PRIVATE NOOK (Single) – $620.00
- SINGLE ROOM – $880.00
- DOUBLE (1 double bed; cost is for double occupancy) – $1,420.00
- DOUBLE (SHARED) – $710.00
Date & Time Details:
Arrival 4 p.m. Monday, September 23, 2024
Departure 1 p.m. Sunday, September 29, 2024
Location: Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center (RMERC)
Address: 8941 Overland Road, Ward, CO, USA
Contact: Barry
[email protected]
Registration and RMERC Questions:
Contact Kathy: [email protected]
Scholarships Available:
Check the scholarship box on the registration form for instructions.
Early Bird Pricing:
Starting at $445 (Through July 10, 2024)
Pricing:
Starting at $500 (After July 10, 2024)
Registration and Program Payments:
$180 non-refundable registration fee. Full payment due 60 days before the program starts (your credit card will be automatically charged at this time).
Silence, Stillness and Concentration
With Barry Gillespie
September 23 - 29, 2024
Silence, Stillness and Concentration
A traditional Theravada silent mindfulness retreat with emphasis on stillness, concentration and continuity of practice, leading participants to a spacious stillness of mind, a radiant calm. There will be regular seated and walking practice, daily meditation instruction, evening dharma talks, an optional daily gentle yoga class, individual practice meetings and time every day to hike/walk in the beautiful natural world surrounding the retreat center. All of the teachings will be based directly on the Buddha’s teachings found in the Pali Canon, in particular in the Satipatthana Sutta.
Venue at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Center
See website HERE | Photo gallery HERE | Address map HERE
Download schedule here: 2024 Retreat Schedule
Silence
Every effort is made to support a deep and fruitful retreat, and noble silence is a valuable part of the process. With exceptions for dharma talks and other modes of support, and special discussions, we will be in silence.
Time and Transportation
The retreat begins at 4:00 pm on the first day, and ends around noon on the last day. If you are flying into Denver, the airport is about 90 minutes from the center, so you should plan on your flight arriving no later than 1:00pm to reach the retreat center on time. Return flights departing from the Denver airport should leave no earlier than 4:30pm, so you can get to the airport on time. Please do not plan on leaving the retreat early or arriving late. If camping you might want to allow some extra time to set up your tent before the retreat starts.
Please note that the center is at 8500 feet, similar to most Colorado ski towns. If you are concerned about acclimating from sea level, you might consider arriving a day or two in the Denver/Boulder area before the retreat.
Contact
You will be out of contact with no internet access or cellphone service during the retreat. 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 not available for personal use.
Lodging Options – view lodging options here
You may camp in a beautiful campsite, or stay in the lodge. There are a limited number of single lodging options, such as single rooms, mini singles and glamping. All the other rooms are shared accommodations. Contact Kathy at [email protected] for any rooming questions.
Lodging Prices are inclusive of all retreat costs
- $525 Camping
- $620 Mini Single
- $620 Glamping
- $525|$1050 RV Camping (single/double)
- $620 Semi-Private Nook (single) see details on registration pageli>
- $880 Single Room
- $710 Shared Room (2 single beds; cost per person)
Scholarships
It is our intention that cost not be an impediment to practice. If you cannot afford to attend without a fee reduction, you can ask for a scholarship on the registration web site, and then pay the remaining amount.
Anyone with financial hardship is welcome to apply and will be assessed based on needs and fund availability. 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. But do not let cost be an impediment to your attending.
Payment, Deposits
A non-refundable deposit of $180 is due at the time of registration. Full payment is due 60 days before the retreat start date; you will receive an email reminder before your credit card is automatically charged at that time.
Cancellation, and Refund Policies
- If you cancel your retreat at any time, the $180 registration fee is not refunded.
- Cancellations received 60-30 days prior will get a refund of half of the final payment.
- Cancellations 30-7 days prior will get a refund of a quarter of the final payment.
- For cancellations inside of 7 days there will be no refunds.<
Teacher Donations (Dana)
The cost of the retreat is set as low as possible and only covers expenses: renting the center, food, cooks, insurance, and staff travel. None of this cost share goes to the teacher, who is solely supported by the dana (generosity) of the participants. In the tradition of the Buddha, teachings are offered without a set fee, keeping costs as low as possible, so no one is excluded due to finances. In turn, we ask that your donation be as generous as possible within your means. Please bring a check or cash. We are grateful for your support.
Infectious Disease Policy
See the complete infectious disease policy here.
RMERC prioritizes creating a safe and comfortable retreat environment. While we don’t require vaccinations, testing, or masks, individual retreats might have stricter policies. We recommend wearing N95 masks during travel and self-monitoring your health 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.
Time and Transportation
day. If you are flying into Denver, the airport is about 90 minutes from the center, so you should plan on your flight arriving no later than 1:00pm to reach the retreat center on time. Return flights departing from the Denver airport should leave no earlier than 4:30pm, so you can get to the airport on time. Please do not plan on leaving the retreat early or arriving late. If camping, you might want to allow some extra time to set up your tent before the retreat starts.
Please note that the center is at 8500 feet, similar to most Colorado ski towns. If you are concerned about acclimating from sea level, you might consider arriving a day or two in the Denver/Boulder area before the retreat.
Contact
You will be out of contact with no internet access or cellphone service during the retreat. 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 not available for personal use.
Food and Meals
Three simple vegetarian meals a day will be provided from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day. If you want a snack between meals, or supplemental protein such as jerky or packaged fish, you can bring a small quantity of packaged unrefrigerated food. Tea, coffee and such are available all day long, along with some simple snacks such as mixed nuts and fruit. 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.
Special Needs
Figuring menus and quantities, shopping, organizing, and cooking are complex and crucial tasks for a retreat. All meals are ovo-lacto vegetarian with vegan and gluten free options available. We can accommodate common food allergies such as gluten or dairy, but not food preferences. Make sure to include on the registration form full details of any special allergy or health needs you have beyond basic vegetarian, and we will contact you if they require discussion.
Helper (Yogi) Jobs
Some of the work necessary to support the group will be handled by participants during the retreat. You will be able to choose your yogi job, and will keep it throughout the retreat. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.
What to Bring for Barry’s Retreat
Teacher
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.
Learn more about Barry Gillespie