Cultivating the Courageous Heart
With Jean Leonard and Sarah Heffron
September 17 - 22, 2024
Cultivating the Courageous Heart
Daily we are faced with our growing vulnerability and the challenges of being alive in this complex world, as well as possibilities for transformation, personally and collectively. More than ever, we are seeing our common humanity and how interdependent we are with each other and the more than human world. This is an opportunity to meet the moment, ourselves, and one another with care, clarity and compassion.
Courage is described as “the ability to do something that frightens one” and “strength in the face of pain or grief.” Cultivating the Brahma Viharas – the heart qualities of kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity – develops the inner resources and resilience needed to consciously engage with suffering.
Finding deep refuge in the beauty and wisdom of the land and the teachings, we will rest and replenish, tend our nervous systems, and cultivate the courageous heart through silent meditation, nature-based practices, sharing and ritual. We welcome all who self-identify as women and both seasoned practitioners and those relatively new to practice.
Additional information about the retreat can be found here.
Venue at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Center
See website HERE | Photo gallery HERE | Address map HERE
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
- $470 Camping
- $555 Mini Single
- $555 Glamping
- $470|$940 RV Camping (single/double)
- $555 Semi-Private Nook (single) see details on registration page
- $785 Single Room
- $635 Shared Room (2 single beds; cost per person).
- $1270 Double Room (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)
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
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.
What to Bring
Teachers
Jean Leonard, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, dharma teacher, Buddhist Ecochaplain, and certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher in private practice in Louisville, Colorado. A longtime meditator in the Theravada tradition, she holds the Dharma as a sacred compass that guides her personal and professional life, and is currently a trainee in the Spirit Rock/IMS 4-year teacher training program. In her teaching and mindfulness-informed mentoring and therapeutic work, she supports individuals through sacred accompaniment in meeting the circumstances of their lives and themselves with more gentleness, grace and good humor. She believes that with more access to clarity and compassion, we can…
Learn more about Jean Leonard
Sarah Heffron, LCSW is a dharma teacher, licensed clinical therapist, and eco-chaplain, based in Moab Utah. She has taken refuge in the Buddha-Dharma, Nature, and poetry for over 30 years, with an emphasis on eco-dharma. She is deeply grateful to her primary teacher Susie Harrington, along with the blessings of so many more in the Theravadan, Tibetan and Zen traditions —and the circumstances for long practice periods. She is also grateful for the messiness of householder life -including parenting and pushing the status quo- for fueling practice and deepening wisdom and compassion. She finds fulfillment in creatively tending the grief…
Learn more about Sarah Heffron
