Rocky Mountain
Ecodharma Retreat Center

A Home for Meditation in Nature

Retreat

rmerc 14
  • CAMPING – $605.00
  • RV CAMPING 1 - Lodge Parking Area – $605.00
  • RV CAMPING 2 - Overflow Parking Area – $605.00
  • GLAMPING TENT – $715.00
  • MINI SINGLE – $715.00
  • SEMI-PRIVATE NOOK (Single) – $715.00
  • SINGLE ROOM – $1,015.00
  • DOUBLE (1 double bed; cost is for double occupancy) – $1,620.00
  • DOUBLE (SHARED) – $820.00

Date & Time Details:
Arrival: 4 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2024
Departure: 1 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2024

Location: Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center (RMERC)

Address: 1841 Overland Road, Ward, CO, USA

Contact: Jon
[email protected]

Registration Questions:
Contact Kathy: [email protected]

Early Bird Pricing:
Starting at $530 (Through March 20, 2024)

Regular Pricing:
Starting at $600 (After March 20, 2024)

Scholarshiips Available:
Check the Scholarship box on registration form for instructions to apply.

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).

Email us about program

Finding our True Nature in Nature

With Jon Aaron and Ben Connelly

June 3 - 9, 2024

Finding our True Nature in Nature

Within the beautiful surroundings of RMERC, and with the power of meditating in nature, we may discover our true nature. Let us cultivate a joy that supports facing the uncertainties of this world and the arising of appropriate response.

This retreat brings together different traditions of Buddhist practice, integrating Insight and early Mahayana practices by drawing deeply from Yogacara’s Three Natures teachings. Held by the mountains, forest, and stream, supported by the container of noble silence, we will spend most of our time outside in the meadows and forests of the center.

Venue at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Center

See website HERE  | Photo gallery HERE  |  Address map HERE

Approximate Daily Schedule

We awaken at first light, hot water and coffee are available, and we meditate outside. Then breakfast is put out, and everyone eats and then packs their lunch. Daily activities include being out on the land doing sitting, walking, and hiking meditation, including meditation instruction, with teacher support including individual and small group practice discussions. After dinner there is an evening meditation, followed by a dharma talk around the campfire, and then bedtime or optional practice when it gets dark.

Noble 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 and exercises in the afternoons of the first week, we will be in silence.

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

  • $605           Camping
  • $715            Mini Single
  • $715            Glamping
  • $605|$1210      RV Camping (single/double)
  • $715             Semi-Private Nook (single) see details on registration page
  • $1015           Single Room
  • $820            Shared Room  (2 single beds; cost per person).
  • $1640          Double Room (see note above)  (1 double bed; cost per couple).

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)

None of the retreat cost goes to the leaders or to the retreat manager, who are 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

The retreat begins at 4:00pm on the first day, and ends after lunch 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.

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.

Click here for Jon’s What to Bring List

 

Teachers

Jon Aaron
A Dharma and Mindfulness teacher at New York Insight Meditation Center Jon first came across meditation in the 1970s, and then became interested in Insight and Mindfulness practices in the late 1990s, studying mindfulness meditation and Buddhism, which have since become central to his life.  A Certified MBSR Teacher and Teacher Trainer, Jon trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Brown University. In 2016 he completed his training with Breathworks in the UK and has integrated many of these techniques and modalities into all his teaching.  He is…
Learn more about Jon Aaron
Ben Connelly
Ben Connelly is a Soto Zen teacher and Dharma heir in the Katagiri lineage. He also teaches mindfulness in a wide variety of secular contexts and leads wilderness meditation retreats. He works with multifaith groups focused on intersectional liberation, racial justice, and climate justice. Ben is based at Minnesota Zen Meditation Center, travels to teach across the United States, has written for Tricycle and Lion’s Roar magazines, and is author of Inside the Grass Hut, Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara, Vasubandhu’s “Three Natures”, and Mindfulness and Intimacy.
Learn more about Ben Connelly
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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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