External, Internal, and Eternal: Being Nature, Together

Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center is an ideal location for this meditation retreat. The area is extraordinarily beautiful, pristine and peaceful, with a wide variety of trails, wildflower-covered alpine meadows, creeks, and rocky crags. The mountains, forests and river naturally work to settle the mind, while living and practicing together creates personal connections and mutual support.

External, Internal, and Eternal: Being Nature, Together

Held in noble silence, in this retreat we will bring loving curiosity to the direct experience of the external/internal relationship to sounds, sites, smells, textures and tastes of the natural world. Meditation halls have their benefits, but what if we turned a mountainside, a prairie, or riverbank into our meditation hall? Most of this retreat will be held outdoors. We will practice opening the senses to what’s right in front of us and all around us, developing tranquility and insight through an exploration of our own nature and our place in the nature of things.  This retreat is a qualifying retreat for anyone pursuing MBSR teacher training.

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

This is a Covid vaccination-safe retreat. Everyone will have complete Covid vaccination, including booster, and therefore we will be free of the need for masks and social distancing. We look forward to being in sangha safely and without fear, enjoying the human contact we all need and want.

You may camp in a beautiful campsite, or stay in the lodge. Lodge rooms are for single individuals or couples or friends registering together.

• $550          Camping
• $660          Glamping
• $660          RV Camping
• $633          Curtain Room
• $633          Semi-Private Nook (single) see more details on registration page
• $770          Single Room
• $1,336       Double Room (2 single beds; for couples or people that register together only). Note: the price is for 2 people.
• $1,336       Double Room (1 double bed; for couples only). Note: the price is for 2 people

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. The teachers and manager are not paid, and are supported with dana.

Teacher Donations (Dana)

None of this cost share goes to the teachers or to the 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.

Scholarships

It is our intention that cost not be an impediment to practice, and scholarships of up to 50% are available. Scholarship recipients are not eligible for single or double rooms.  If you cannot afford to attend without one, you can ask for a scholarship on the registration form.

Payment, Deposits

A non-refundable deposit of $120 is due at the time of registration. Full payment is due 45 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 $120 registration fee is not refunded. If you cancel within 45 days of the retreat no refund will be given, but in an emergency we may grant exceptions on a case by case basis.

Covid Information (read carefully) updated 4/20/22

Please read the complete RMERC covid policy here. To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, RMERC requires results of a negative covid test to be presented upon arrival at RMERC. In addition, all participants must be fully vaccinated, with results uploaded to our system 2 weeks prior to the start of the retreat. See complete details here: https://rmerc.org/covid-policies/.  The Covid policy may change at anytime as covid protocols shift. 

Time and Transportation

The retreat begins at 4:00pm on the first day, and ends 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 1:00pm 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 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.

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.  If you have allergies beyond, nuts, gluten or dairy, contact Kayla and Lily to discuss if they can accommodate your allergy needs.  303-459-1012.

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

Click Here for a What to Bring List