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

Date & Time Details: Check-in is from 3:00-5:00 on the first day of the retreat. The retreat will close mid-morning on the last day of the retreat.

PRICE: We offer a sliding scale structure. The price for this retreat ranges from $ 540-$840 (not including dana). (Learn more)

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

SHUTTLE SERVICE: Shuttle Service is available for this retreat. (Learn more)

SCHOLARSHIP / FELLOWSHIP AVAILABILITY: All awards have been made for this retreat. No longer accepting applications for scholarships or fellowships.

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Wise Speech: Waking Up Together

With Donald Rothberg and Oren Jay Sofer

October 1 - 7, 2018

Deepen insight and self-understanding.

Train the heart to find balance when challenged.

Learn practical tools to navigate differences.

The path of practice taught by the Buddha is meant to transform our actions, speech, thinking and relationships. How can we use our relationships to grow in awareness and compassion? How do we put these teachings into practice to make conversations and connections – both personal and professional – more meaningful?

In this retreat, we will explore the how to bring more mindfulness and care to our communication as vehicle for awakening. The tools shared will draw from the meditative practices of the Buddhist tradition, innovative relational awareness exercises, and the contemporary discipline of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Collectively, these practices form a powerful foundation for cultivating insight, awareness and empathy; develop our capacity to listen and speak from the heart; and strengthen our ability to stay present and be more skillful in challenging situations.

This retreat will include periods of silent meditation and interactive speech practices. They are designed for those who want to bring more attention to speech as a spiritual practice, for those who have emphasized communication and want further grounding in meditation, and for those who are helping professionals. The tools offered will directly enhance the work of psychologists, therapists, school teachers, chaplains, nurses and other helping professionals. NVC will be taught at a basic level; reading Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication before the retreat is strongly recommended.