Metta: The Practice of Loving Kindness

Metta – The Practice of Loving Kindness

The Metta Sutta is the Buddha’s teaching on Loving Kindness Meditation. Metta is the practice of literally filling the mind with wholesome thoughts, leaving no room for unwholesome thoughts, emotions and moods. This practice also takes great concentration, making it both heart opening and mind expanding. During the six days of this retreat we will look in detail at these teachings and how they can be directly put into practice, using a traditional Theravada Buddhist form.

This retreat will be in silence, with seated meditation. walking meditation, daily meditation instruction and dhamma talks, and individual practice meetings/instructions for all yogis. All of the walking practice will be out of doors (weather permitting) so that student may practice in RMERC’s beautiful natural world. In addition there will be time every day for students to optionally hike by themselves on the land and an optional 40 minute gentle yoga class.

This retreat is suitable as both an introduction to the practice of meditation for complete beginners and as a way for more experienced practitioners to look more closely at the Buddha’s teachings.

Download schedule here: 2023 Barry Metta Retreat Schedule

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, we will be in silence.

Time and Transportation

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

Lodging Options

SHARED OCCUPANCY LODGING: Double rooms are shared space; you will be sharing a room with someone you don’t know.  If you have a preferred roommate, you can send a request to registrar@rmerc.org and we will try our best to move the two of you into a shared space.

• $560                   Camping
• $620                   Curtain Room
• $620                   Glamping
• $620|$1090      RV Camping
• $620                   Semi-Private Nook (single) see more details on registration page
• $720                   Single Room
• $1320                 Double Room (1 double bed; cost per couple).
• $660                   Shared Double (2 single beds).

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.

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.

 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 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 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.

Helper (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.

What to Bring for Barry’s Retreat