Retreats

Discover a Deeper Way of Living Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center offers a retreat for almost everyone. Our schedule carries a...
  • Casita Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another) – $1,750.00
  • Casita Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,470.00
  • Casita Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $980.00
  • Yurt Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another) – $1,750.00
  • Yurt Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,470.00
  • Yurt Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $980.00
  • Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another) – $1,435.00
  • Tent Cabin Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,190.00
  • Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $770.00
  • Hermitage - Supporting scholarships and land stewardship – $2,625.00
  • Hermitage - Supporting scholarships – $2,275.00
  • Hermitage - A secluded cabin – $2,065.00

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. (Learn more)

PRICE: We offer a sliding-scale pricing structure, ranging from $2,625 - $770. These prices do not include add-on items. (Learn more)

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

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

NOBLE SILENCE: This retreat will be held in noble silence. (Learn more)

SCHOLARSHIP: If you require additional scholarship assistance beyond the published scholarship rate (35%), you can apply. These additional scholarships are available on a limited basis. (Learn more)

Email us about program
Registration opens: Feb 3, 2026

Meditation, Nature, and Awakening

With Peter Williams and Chas DiCapua

September 30 - October 7, 2026

Registration opens: Feb 3, 2026

This retreat engages two powerful forces for happiness—insight meditation and immersion in nature. Insight meditation has been the key practice for accessing the profound wisdom of the Buddhist tradition for over 2500 years. It is extraordinary in its simplicity, its lack of dogma and, above all, its results.

When we take meditation practice outside, nature acts as a people whisperer, quieting the mind and gladdening the heart. This deepens our practice which, in turn, deepens our connection with nature. This leads to a surprising fulfillment in the simplest of pleasures—a dewdrop on an aspen leaf, a meadow shimmering in sunlight, the otherworldly bugling of an elk. All this sets the stage for the meditative insight that fosters letting go and true freedom of heart.

The retreat is held in silence. It will combine traditional indoor meditation with meditation on the land and mindful hikes. We will explore beautiful old growth forests during fall foliage time. Mindful exercises outdoors will engage the senses and reveal the unity of nature in and outside the body. The retreat is suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners.

Be aware that while all lodging options have a propane heater, the Tent Cabins and Yurts tend to be colder than the Casitas during the shoulder season. Please select your lodging accordingly.

 

 


Cancellation Policy:

  • 45 days prior to retreat: Full refund, minus a $150 nonrefundable fee
  • 44-22 days prior to retreat: 50% refund
  • 0-21 days prior to retreat: No refund

Teachers

Peter Williams
Peter Williams has practiced meditation for 32 years, primarily in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, with much practice in the Tibetan tradition as well. He has done more than 43 months of silent retreat. He has taught meditation since 2003. He is trained as a Community Dharma Leader through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. His primary teachers have been Joseph Goldstein, Michelle McDonald, and Guy Armstrong. He is one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center in Ward, Colorado. He has taught mindfulness to a variety of audiences, from schoolteachers to environmentalists to Colorado justices. Peter also practices as…
Learn more about Peter Williams
Chas DiCapua
Chas has been practicing mindfulness and Buddhist meditation, primarily in the Early Buddhist school, for over 35 years, including over two years of combined time in silent, intensive retreat.  He has trained with Burmese meditation masters, western monastics of the Thai Forest tradition and senior western Vipassana teachers.  In 2003 Chas was invited to be the Resident Teacher at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA where he continues to serve in that role.  Chas is a graduate of the four year Insight Meditation Society (IMS) / Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program led by Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein and others.…
Learn more about Chas DiCapua