Healing with Nature

Healing with Nature

This nature-centered mindfulness and meditation retreat is an opportunity to heal, re-connect and re-emerge into a greater sense of wholeness in the beautiful landscape of the Colorado Mountains.

Through this retreat, we will explore how nature-based practices, our relational connection to the natural world, and related somatic experiencing can support healing and transformation of challenging or traumatic experiences.

We will have an opportunity to study, practice, and integrate the wisdom of these teachings in the community. You will have the opportunity to relax and reflect, be led on nature meditations, reflective journaling exercises, and beautiful hikes, all while strengthening your skills to integrate it all into your everyday life.

Example of Daily Schedule

6am            Wake up bell
6:30            Meditation
7:15             Breakfast
8:30            Morning program
12:00          Lunch
12:30-2      Free time
2:00            Afternoon program
5:00            Dinner
6:00            Evening program
8:30-9        Ready for bed/sleep

What You Will Love

• Guidance and instruction in all of the activities described above
• Sitting, walking, and playtime in a beautiful wild setting
• Free time for rest
• Evening “community-building” and celebration
• One-on-ones with the teachers
• Delicious plant-based meals, and tea and coffee
• Your choice of lodging: a single room or outdoor tent site

What You Should Know

– Our retreat is designed to be enjoyable, not rigorous … and participants are expected to have an open mind and heart as we build our community and share experiences together:

– There will be a flow between alone time and group time, but come prepared to enjoy others, and participate in community and group activities.

–Use of silence: every effort is made to support a deep and fruitful retreat, and noble silence can be a valuable part of the process. We will weave periods of silence into the retreat at strategic times, to allow you to go deeper within. Some meals may be in silence.

-We will all share in the community work around meal preparation and cleanup. You will be able to choose your helper/yogi job. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.

-Some mindfulness experience is valuable but not required, and beginners are welcome. Complete mindfulness instructions will be given, appropriate for your level.

-If you choose to camp, then some camping experience (car camping or backpacking) is helpful, but not required. You can stay as close to the Lodge or as far away as you like.

-You should be in good health, able to sit and walk outdoors, tolerate the 8,500-foot elevation, and smile through sudden weather changes.

-Bring the necessary clothing and equipment to enjoy being outdoors in a variety of conditions. We will be able to be indoors in inclement weather but otherwise will be sitting, eating and walking outdoors.

-Please note that the center is at 8,500 feet, similar to most Colorado ski towns. If you are concerned about acclimating from sea level, please consider a day or two in the Denver/Boulder area before the retreat. You may also want to consider bringing supplements to support acclimation.

-It is important to us that everyone makes a commitment to be present for the entirety of the retreat (from Tuesday at 4 pm through Sunday at 1 pm), so please plan your travel arrangements accordingly! The program starts: Tuesday, May 30th at 4 pm, and ends June 4th at 1pm

-You will be unplugged and out of cell phone or wifi reach — during the retreat. Please complete all personal business before you arrive. The staff will have the ability to make and receive emergency calls on your behalf, but the phone is not available for personal use.

Lodging

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.  Contact Kathy at registrar@rmerc.org if you will be rooming with another participants.

Lodging Options

$525    Camping
$585    Glamping
$585    Semi-private Nook (single)
$585    Curtain Room
$685   Single Room
$515|$1030  RV Camping
$1250   Double (2 single beds; cost per couple)
$1250   Double (1 double bed; cost per couple)

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.  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 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.

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 or a stove. 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.

(Yogi) Jobs

Some of the work necessary to support the group will be handled by participants during the retreat. You will be asked to perform a yogi job throughout the retreat to support our practice community.  Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.

Rochelle’s What to Bring list