Retreats

Discover a Deeper Way of Living Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center offers a retreat for almost everyone. Our schedule carries a...
  • Casita Supporting Rate – $1,110.00
  • Casita Actual Rate – $870.00
  • Casita Base Rate – $780.00
  • Yurt Supporting Rate – $1,110.00
  • Yurt Actual Rate – $870.00
  • Yurt Base Rate – $780.00
  • Tent Cabin Supporting Rate – $840.00
  • Tent Cabin Actual Rate – $720.00
  • Tent Cabin Base Rate – $630.00
  • Tent Camping Actual Rate – $600.00

Please note that outstanding balances will be automatically charged 30 days prior to your retreat. Please see our Registration Information to learn more.

Date & Time Details: Registration opens at 3:00 on the first day of the retreat. The retreat will close shortly after breakfast on the last day.

Price: We offer a sliding scale structure. Prices for this retreat range from $570-$825. (Learn more)

Dana: This is a dana based retreat. (Learn more)

Shuttle: Shuttle service is available for this retreat. (Learn more)

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The Natural Path to the Heart’s Liberation: A Silent Vipassana Retreat in the Forest

With Brian Lesage and Erin Treat

August 19 - 25, 2017

Join us to practice the timeless teachings of the Buddha as a pathway to discover inner peace, freedom, and the compassionate heart.  This retreat is designed to offer and support a practical introduction to insight meditation, known as Vipassana in the Buddhist tradition.  Insight meditation embodies the essence and wisdom of the teachings of the Buddha and has been the foundation of Buddhist teachings for 2,500 years.  This silent retreat will focus upon cultivating embodied presence and mindful awareness that embraces the human experience with acceptance and wisdom.

Following the early Buddhist tradition, we will utilize the natural surroundings to support our inner exploration.  Insight meditation practice will be supported by daily vipassana and lovingkindness meditation instructions, including walking meditation outdoors in a spectacular natural setting.

In addition to individual practice discussions with the teachers, there will be an evening talk on Buddhist practice. To cultivate the meditation process, complete silence is maintained at all times throughout the retreat except during teacher interviews and group discussions.  The retreat is suitable for those new to meditation and also seasoned practitioners.  All are welcome.

Teachers

Brian Lesage
Brian has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1988 and has taught since 2000. He has studied in the Zen, Theravada, and Tibetan schools and was ordained in the Rinzai Zen tradition in 1996.  His training in Vipassana Meditation includes doing extended meditation retreats in Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, and India as well as numerous retreats in the U.S.  He leads retreats and teaches meditation courses nationwide.  Brian also has a private practice in Somatic Experiencing, which is a naturalistic approach to healing trauma.
Learn more about Brian Lesage
Erin Treat
Erin’s love for wild nature, her passionate commitment to serving collective liberation, and decades of working as a bodyworker are all palpable in her Dharma. Erin is Guiding Teacher at both Vallecitos and the Durango Dharma Center, and is a Core Teacher at Spirit Rock.  She served as core faculty of the sixth Community Dharma Leaders (CDL) Program, and is a graduate of Thanissara and Kitissaro’s Dhammapala Training, designed to bring forth an embodied bodhisattva ideal within the lineage of Theravada Buddhism. Erin was born and raised in the prairie of Fargo, North Dakota to a family of Irish and British heritage.…
Learn more about Erin Treat