Inner and Outer Nature - part 2: Silent Nature Weekend Retreat

Inner and Outer Nature Silent Meditation Weekend Retreat, August 6-9

Safe and Comfortable Camping Retreat at RMERC*

This retreat is open to everyone, including beginners. The focus is on silent nature practice, immersion in the natural world, connecting our inner nature with outer nature, and dissolving separation. Each day includes plentiful time for sitting, hiking/walking meditation, as well as nature meditation instruction, dharma talks, and individual and group practice discussions.

The overall intention is for deep silence, practice, and connection with nature, and then integrating that into one’s life. Spiritual practice will be supported by instruction in a variety of nature meditations. There will be nightly dharma talks, exploring how being-in-nature can be an important part of our spiritual path by helping to ground us in personal experience of non-separation from the natural world. The emphasis is not on meditative technique so much as developing direct awareness that can lead to a new integration of the internal (spiritual) and external (activity). There are no prerequisites for this retreat, and beginning meditators are welcome and will be fully supported.

Retreat Includes:

• Guidance and instruction for meditation in nature (both sitting and walking) to deepen our experience of connection with nature, while dissolving the sense of a fixed and separate self.
• Sitting and walking in beautiful wild settings
• Free time for meditation and/or rest
• Evening campfire dharma talks
• One on one discussions with the teachers
• Simple vegetarian meals, including all food for solos
• Camp site

General Retreat Guidelines
–The retreats are designed to be enjoyable, not rigorous, but participants are expected to have a willingness to maintain silence, to help with yogi jobs, and to cooperate with the group structure.

— Some camping experience (car camping or backpacking) is helpful, but not necessary.

— Having the necessary clothing and equipment to enjoy being outdoors in a variety of conditions. We will be living and practicing outdoors, under the barn or another shelter in case of bad weather, including meditating, eating and walking.

*New at RMERC for Safe and Comfortable Camping Retreats

If you are not sure about any of this, please inquire.

Time and Transportation

The retreat begins at 4:00pm on the first day, and end about 1:00pm after lunch on the last day. Everyone should plan on coming in your own car, or with someone you live with. 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 everyone will be 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.

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.

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.

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.

It is our intention that cost not be an impediment to practice, and scholarships (up to $150 for the weekend) are available. 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.

Cancellations after June 1 will not be refunded unless your spot is filled, in which case you will receive a 50% refund.

If you are a dedicated full-time activist and cannot afford any of the retreat cost, you may be eligible for a special scholarship, which can cover up to 100% of the retreat cost. Please contact us for details.

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. You might consider that a similar camping retreat with paid teachers would charge two to three times what this one costs. Please bring a check or cash. We are grateful for your support.

Special Coronavirus Conditions

The situation with Covid (CV) is changing and full of unknowns, so to keep ourselves and everyone else safe, you need to follow the following conditions and protocols to participate in this retreat:

For the two weeks before the retreat staying very safe and maintaining distance, wearing a mask when around other people indoors, or outdoors within 6 feet, and washing your hands frequently.

Not attending the retreat, or leaving immediately if already in attendance, if experiencing any CV or CV like symptoms, such as dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, or diarrhea. We will be taking everyone’s temperature upon arrival as well.

When travelling to RMERC, not carpooling with people one is not sheltering in place with, and if using any taxi or public transportation always keeping a mask on, staying as far from others as possible, and frequently washing your hands or using hand sanitizer. If you are coming from afar, please purchase several N95 or KN95 masks for your journey; they are many times more protective of you than a cloth or paper mask, and are now readily available if you order online in advance. (Staples.com and OfficeDepot.com have them, as well as many others.) Please carry hand sanitizer with you and keep your mask on, do not eat inside, and use public bathrooms as infrequently as you can.

*If you are thinking of flying, please reconsider or use great caution. Flying is not exactly safe for you or anyone you are exposed to afterwards. You will need to purchase several N95 or KN95 masks for your journey; they are many times more protective of you than a cloth or paper mask, and are now readily available if you order online in advance. (Staples.com and OfficeDepot.com have them, as well as many others.) Please carry hand sanitizer with you and keep your mask on, do not eat on a plane or bus, and use public and airplane bathrooms as infrequently as you can. If you absolutely must fly, pease be extremely careful, including not taking off your N95 or KN95 mask on the plane or other transport.

Camping out using your own equipment, and being the only one to use, touch and wash the plate, bowl, mug, and other eating utensils you bring.

Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer before and after you touch things others may also have touched or will touch.

Keeping at least 8 feet away from others and wearing a mask when that might not be possible.

Following any other written or oral instructions/guidelines that the retreat leaders make to help keep everyone safe.

While we have every intention of holding this retreat as planned, if Boulder County or the State of Colorado impose new restrictions pertaining to it, we will have to cancel it, perhaps on very short notice. You will be offered a refund if that happens.

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, 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.