Retreats

Discover a Deeper Way of Living Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center offers a retreat for almost everyone. Our schedule carries a...
  • Casita Supporting Rate – $1,295.00
  • Casita Actual Rate – $1,015.00
  • Casita Base Rate – $910.00
  • Yurt Supporting Rate – $1,295.00
  • Yurt Actual Rate – $1,015.00
  • Yurt Base Rate – $910.00
  • Hermitage – $1,925.00

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 structure. Scholarships are available, see below. Prices for this retreat range from $805-$1,435 (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)

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

SCHOLARSHIP / FELLOWSHIP AVAILABILITY: Scholarships are available on a limited basis for Hemera, BIPOC, and Needs Based. (Learn more)

SAFETY: We are committed to providing a safe environment for gathering. We have created multiple precautions to hold our time together. (Learn more)

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Program is fully booked

Waking up to Wisdom through the Foundations of Mindfulness

With Dave Smith and Cheryl Slean

September 4 - 11, 2022

Program is fully booked

During this 7-day Insight meditation retreat, we will learn to develop a greater sense of presence and ease through the revolutionary practices of the Dharma. Focusing on the practices of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and Metta (Lovingkindness), we’ll discover emotional balance and begin to free ourselves into the heart of wisdom and compassion.

Each day includes periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talks, interviews and group process, integrated with time to explore the beautiful wilderness setting. Through meditative insight, we see clearly that our thoughts and emotions don’t need to define or control us. In their greatest capacity, they can guide us towards what is most meaningful in our lives. At their most destructive, we’re caught by them: lost in the grip of anger, sadness, fear, or overwhelm. This suffering is natural and human, but we can learn to create more space, choice, and ease in the face of life’s inevitable ups and down. We hope you will join us in this transformative process.

The retreat is suitable for new and experienced practitioners. Please note that insight retreat practice is conducted in noble silence, except for discussion periods and teacher meetings. We invite our friends working in substance abuse treatment to learn more about fellowships available from Hemera.

We require all people who visit the land to be fully vaccinated. We will require a copy of your vaccination card prior to arrival. Vallecitos reserves the right to modify, cancel or close at any time.

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
Cheryl Slean
Cheryl Slean has been practicing Insight meditation intensively since 1995 and has taught classes and retreats worldwide for 15 years in both spiritual and secular settings. Cheryl is also a writer, filmmaker and climate advocate, and is manager of Sustainability and Storytelling at Netflix.
Learn more about Cheryl Slean