Discover a Deeper Way of Living
Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center offers a retreat for almost everyone. Our schedule carries a generous offering of Insight Meditation Retreats as well as secular retreats that cater to specific populations. On our 2018 schedule you will find retreats for educators, people of color, women, and substance abuse professionals, to name a few. We are here to help you find a retreat that is right for you.
“I am so much more aware of the path I want to be on and the power of the sacred in my life.”
– Cristina Mormorunni
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) 5-day Training
With Kristy Arbon and Megan Leuchars
June 22 - 27, 2018
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on pioneering research by Kristin Neff, PhD, and integrated with the clinical perspective of Chris Germer, PhD, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult emotions with kindness and understanding. Self-compassion is […]
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Drinking from the Inner River: A Women’s Meditation Retreat in Nature
With Erin Treat and Anne Cushman
June 27 - July 1, 2018
Nourish your wild spirit and reconnect with your own deepest nature in an embodied meditation retreat specifically designed to honor the unique needs and treasures of a woman’s journey. In the company of rushing rivers, clear ponds, abundant wildlife, and ancient ponderosa pines, we’ll reunite with our bodies, our hearts, and our own innate wholeness, compassion, and intuitive wisdom. […]
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Meditation Retreat for People of Color
With Mushim Ikeda, Noliwe Alexander and Melvin Escobar
July 1 - 7, 2018
In many traditions, people journey into the wilderness for contemplation and purification. How often do we have the opportunity to connect to our deepest intentions and to experience spiritual renewal? Taking place at 9,000 feet in beautiful meadowland in New Mexico, the Vallecitos People of Color Retreat is designed to offer and support a practical […]
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Mindfulness in Education Retreat
With JoAnna Hardy and Erin Treat
July 8 - 13, 2018
Educators know that come springtime graduation, our reserves and abilities to be energized, generous, present and sincerely engaged and enjoying our day-to-day endeavors are often depleted and taxed. To do our vital work well, we need to give ourselves the time and support to reignite, recharge, and continue to develop the capacities of our hearts and minds to be caring and present […]
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Returning to Nature: A Retreat on the Four Elements
With Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni and Jaya Rudgard
July 14 - 20, 2018
The Buddha frequently recommended practice out of doors, encouraging us to enter the world where tranquillity and silence are so readily available. As our society becomes increasingly speedy and noisy, separating us further from our true nature, this recommendation could not be more appropriate. Drawing on the rich resources of Vallecitos’ stunning natural surroundings, we will participate […]
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The Natural Path to the Heart’s Liberation: A Silent Vipassana Retreat in the Forest
With Brian LeSage, Erin Treat and Yong Oh (Assistant)
July 21 - 28, 2018
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 […]
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A Intensive Mindfulness Retreat for Mental Health Professionals: Cultivating the Inner Holding Environment
With Bill Morgan, Susan Morgan and Ron Siegel
July 28 - August 4, 2018
We are pleased to offer the 10th annual mindfulness retreat for mental health professionals and caregivers at Vallecitos. Many in our field have been studying mindfulness and its clinical applications for years but have not found time for more intensive meditation practice. Others appreciate the opportunity to refresh their meditation practice with like-minded colleagues. By […]
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Sacred Sound, Insight and Silence: Meditation and Music in the Deep Woods
With Jennifer Berezan and Erin Treat
August 4 - 8, 2018
The retreat will combine two ancient spiritual practices--meditation and music--as a path to opening one’s heart and uncovering one’s true nature. There will be guided instruction in the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation and dharma practice, including periods of sitting and walking meditation in silence. Woven throughout the meditation practice, participants will engage in a wide […]
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Affectionate Awareness as a Path to Liberation
With Michele McDonald and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey
August 10 - 19, 2018
During this intensive silent retreat, participants will learn to develop their heart’s capacity for liberatory clarity and pervasive tenderness with a unique integration of Vipassana (insight) and Metta (lovingkindness) practices. Michele and Jesse are enthusiastic about supporting yogis with a depth of both technical rigor and spacious ease.[…]
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An Intensive Mindfulness Retreat for Mental Health Professionals: Working with Afflictive Mind States and their Antidotes
With Bill Morgan, Susan Morgan and Janet Surrey
August 24 - 31, 2018
The world is on fire, and more than ever it is important for caregivers to take time to restore and replenish. Many in our field have been studying mindfulness and its clinical applications for years but have not prioritized more intensive meditation practice. By deliberately stepping out of everyday life and into a pristine retreat […]
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Touching the Earth Within Us: An Embodied Meditation Retreat in Nature
With Erin Treat and Rebecca Bradshaw
August 31 - September 5, 2018
Based upon the Buddhist teachings of mindfulness and loving kindness, this silent meditation retreat will explore our connection to ourselves and to the living earth through embodiment. Bringing in influences from various movement traditions and practice outdoors in the natural world, we will connect deeply with our physical, energetic, and emotional bodies. Through this connection […]
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Mindful of Race Leadership Training (for Program Participants only)
With Ruth King
September 7 - 12, 2018
Mindful of Race is designed for leaders, groups, and dedicated practitioners to grow wise about race. Participants become aware of the relational reality of race and their role in racial suffering – its formation and transformation. Unique to this training is the exploration of race and its power dynamics from three levels of experience: individual, group, and institution, and the system of oppression embedded […]
Closed Reclamation of the Sacred: A Journey of Healing and Reconnection Through Insight Meditation
With Thanissara and Kittisaro
September 22 - 30, 2018
This retreat, held within the context of silence, will focus on the embodiment of insight that reveals a blessed sacredness within all life. Through training attention, wise discernment and investigation, the Amata Dharma - undying Dharma - is intuitively known as the core matrix of pure consciousness within all that emerges and dissolves. Such knowing begins to […]
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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 […]
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UNM Sponsored Retreat for Student Veterans
October 10 - 14, 2018
With Peggy Spencer, MD: The UNM Student Veterans Retreat assists military veterans in the transition from military life to student life using these three interwoven components: Mindfulness training. Mindfulness has been defined as “present moment awareness without judgement.” Using simple breath and body awareness, you will learn to quiet your mind […]
Awake in the Wild: “Embracing Change” Meditation in Nature Retreat
With Mark Coleman
October 14 - 19, 2018
On this retreat we will meditate outdoors in the natural beauty and mystery here at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch. Whether it is during sunset meditations, listening to the soothing sounds of the river, or sitting graced in the stillness of the aspen trees, we will open to the profound serenity and wisdom of nature. This silent […]
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