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) – $1,500.00
  • Casita Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,260.00
  • Casita Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $840.00
  • Yurt Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another) – $1,500.00
  • Yurt Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,260.00
  • Yurt Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $840.00
  • Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate (I am resourced and can help another) – $1,230.00
  • Tent Cabin Actual Rate (I can cover myself) – $1,020.00
  • Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate (A lower rate would help me attend) – $660.00
  • Hermitage - Supporting scholarships and land stewardship – $2,250.00
  • Hermitage - Supporting scholarships – $1,950.00
  • Hermitage - A secluded cabin – $1,770.00
  • Tent Camping – $570.00

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 $2,250 - $570. 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

The Intertwining of Metta and Vipassana

With Dave Smith and Vance Pryor

July 7 - 13, 2026

Registration opens: Feb 3, 2026

This silent retreat integrates the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with the heart-centered practice of Metta. By uniting moment-to-moment awareness with the qualities of kindness, care, joy, and equanimity, we learn to meet life’s joys and sorrows with a steady, open presence. As the body and mind settle, an intuitive wisdom emerges, transforming our energy into a stable foundation for contentment and purpose.

Teachers Vance and Dave offer a practice container grounded in a field of kind awareness. Their instructions draw on the teachings of Mahasi Sayadaw and Sayadaw U Tejaniya. The program includes meditation guidance, Dharma talks, and small-group discussions to help process the insights that arise in practice. All are welcome, regardless of previous meditation experience.

 

 

 

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

Dave Smith
Dave Smith is an internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author. His background is rooted in the Insight Meditation tradition and he was empowered to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. He has extensive experience bringing meditative interventions into jails, prisons, youth detention centers and addiction treatment facilities. Dave teaches residential meditation retreats and classes, provides trainings and consulting in both secular and Buddhist contexts, and works with students through his meditation mentoring program. He recently founded the Secular Dharma Foundation and lives in Paonia, Colorado.
Learn more about Dave Smith
Vance Pryor
Vance Pryor, Psy.D., began insight meditation in 1998. He has been deeply influenced by the teachings of Mahasi Sayadaw and Sayadaw U Tejaniya. His training to become a teacher has been supported by the mentorship of Steve Armstrong and Kamala Masters. He is a graduate of IMS’s 2017-2021 Teacher Training Program.
Learn more about Vance Pryor