Cultivating Awareness, Wisdom and Love in Nature

In the spirit of the Buddha meditating in the forest, this serene silent retreat will be spent entirely outside in beautiful meadows, forests and mountains or Rocky Mountain Eco Dharma Center.  
Meditating outdoors helps awaken our sensitivity to the beauty of the natural world. It also opens our appreciation of nature as our teacher, and invites a wakefulness in every moment. 
By cultivating Awake in the Wild nature meditation practices we open our senses to the rich sensory world around us. By doing so, the heart opens to an intimate connection with life while sensing the sacred in every living thing.

During our time together, we will use immersion in nature to cultivate a receptive, embodied quality of attention where states of joy, awe, wonder and love are easily accessible. The integration of awareness in nature will increase your capacity for well-being and inspired action and, deepen your connection with the web of life.

This retreat is appropriate for beginners and experienced meditators who wish to deepen their meditation practice in the beauty of the natural world.  Be prepared for unexpected delight and illumination.

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 the special discussions and exercises the first week, we will be in silence.

Lodging Options

You may camp in a beautiful campsite, or stay in the lodge. Lodge rooms are for single individuals or couples or friends consenting to room together.  If you reserve a space in a single room, you may request to change your rooming to a double, with another consenting participant. Your cost will be adjusted to reflect the cost of a double room.  Contact Kathy at regis[email protected] if you will be rooming with another participants.

• $800 Camping
• $895 Glamping
• $895|$1570 RV Camping
• $895 Curtain Room
• $895 Semi-Private Nook  (single)  see details on the registration page
• $1055 Single Room
• $1920 Double Room (see note above)  (2 single beds; cost per couple).
• $1920 Double Room (see note above)  (1 double bed; cost per couple).

Cost and 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.

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 just 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; if you need a scholarship, please get one.

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; your credit card will automatically be 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.

Covid Policy

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 end about 1:00pm 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 1:30pm to reach the retreat center on time. Return flights departing from the Denver airport should leave no earlier than 4pm, so you can get to the airport on time. Please do not plan on leaving the retreat early. As many participants will be camping, you might want to allow some extra time to set up your tent before the retreat starts.

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 of the last, including solo food which does not require cooking. 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 and coffee along with milk and sweeteners are available before and during breakfast. 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.

To allow us to be out on the land we will be packing our lunches after breakfast. Please bring a plastic container or two with tight fitting lids to carry your lunch in.

Special Needs

Figuring menus and quantities, shopping, organizing, and cooking are complex and crucial tasks for a retreat. We provide simple, wholesome, natural, predominantly organic, vegetarian meals. We can accommodate common food allergies such as gluten, soy or dairy, but not preferences. Make sure to include on the registration form full details of any special allergy or health needs you have beyond basic vegetarian.

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 Mark’s What to Bring List