Rocky Mountain
Ecodharma Retreat Center

A Home for Meditation in Nature

Retreat

rmed2 scaled
  • CAMPING – $650.00
  • RV CAMPING 1 - Lodge Parking Area – $650.00
  • RV CAMPING 2 - Overflow Parking Area – $650.00
  • GLAMPING TENT – $765.00
  • MINI SINGLE – $765.00
  • SEMI-PRIVATE NOOK (Single) – $765.00
  • SINGLE ROOM – $1,085.00
  • DOUBLE (1 double bed; cost is for double occupancy) – $1,760.00
  • DOUBLE (SHARED) – $880.00

Date & Time Details:
Arrival: 4 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2024
Departure: 1 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2024

Location: Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center (RMERC)

Address: 8941 Overland Rd, Ward, CO, USA

Contact: Dave Smith
[email protected]
(615) 856-1292

Registration Questions:
Contact Kathy: [email protected]

Early Bird Pricing:
Starting at $575 (Through March 27, 2024)

Regular Pricing:
Starting at $650 (After March 27, 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

Natural Awareness and Wisdom:Exploring Mindfulness in Nature

With Dave Smith

June 10 - 17, 2024

Natural Awareness and Wisdom: Exploring Mindfulness in Nature

During this retreat we will explore the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with an emphasis on developing continuity of wise awareness as taught by Burmese master Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Instructions will emphasize the Buddha’s teachings on view, attitude and qualities of mind that support a relaxed and alert awareness throughout all activities. Through the development of a sustained and kind awareness we come to meet ourselves and the world with presence, ease and wisdom, naturally establishing the clear seeing and collectedness of mind that are the hallmarks of liberating insight. The retreat will be conducted in noble silence and will follow an open schedule that includes guided practice sessions, dharma talks and teacher meetings. Students will enjoy the opportunity to follow their own rhythm of practice, supported by the flow of nature, and learning to trust their own natural capacity for awareness and wisdom in every moment, whether in retreat or in daily life. This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators.

Venue at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Center

See website HERE  | Photo gallery HERE  |  Address map HERE

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

  • $650            Camping
  • $765            Mini Single
  • $765            Glamping
  • $650|$1300      RV Camping (single/double)
  • $765            Semi-Private Nook (single) see details on registration page
  • $1085          Single Room
  • $880            Shared Room  (2 single beds; cost per person).
  • $1760          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)

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.

Covid Information

Please read the complete RMERC covid policy here.   The Covid policy may change at anytime in accordance with the teacher’s discretion.

PRE-RETREAT. To ensure everyone’s safety, we ask that you wear an N95 mask during travel, especially while in planes and other public spaces, regardless of federal rules, and that you are really careful for 10 days before your retreat. If you have any COVID symptoms please do not come to RMERC until you are well.

To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, RMERC requires that everyone arriving at the retreat center provide a negative covid test result, preferably from a PCR test, taken less than 96 hours before the retreat.  If a PCR is not accessible, we require two rapid home tests, the first taken the day before the retreat, and the second taken the day of the retreat, with 24-36 hours between the two tests. Those using home tests should take time-stamped photos of both test results. This proof of negative test results must be presented before entering the lodge for your retreat.

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 Dave’s What to Bring List

 

Teacher

Dave Smith
For over 30 years, Dave Smith has held a practice rooted in the Insight Meditation (Vipassana) tradition. He was empowered to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, is a certified teacher for Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) which is combines contemporary emotion based scientific research with contemplative practices and psychology drawn from Buddhism. Dave teaches residential meditation retreats, weekly live dharma classes, online courses, and workshops. He lives in rural Colorado with his wife and two sons.
Learn more about Dave Smith
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For other contact information, see Contact Us.

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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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