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
  • Hermitage – $1,650.00

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 $588-$1,650 (not including teacher dana and 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 / 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)

Email us about program

Awake in the Wild: Meditation in Nature Retreat

With Mark Coleman and Robin Craig

July 2 - 8, 2023

This retreat will be spent meditating outdoors in the natural beauty and mystery here at Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center.  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 retreat is grounded in the practice of Mindfulness – the capacity to be present to our inner and outer landscapes. Participants will learn to bring this receptive presence to develop a contemplative relationship with nature. By cultivating an inner quiet and curious spirit we can learn from nature as a perennial teacher. The natural world reveals timeless Dharma teachings that support a natural letting go and a wise relationship to all experience.

Participants will also discover how meditative time outdoors leads to beautiful states of joy, peace, wonder, love and connection with oneself, each other and the larger web of life. Also revealed are timeless insights into essential truths of life.

On the retreat there will be guided nature-based meditations, mindful walks, Dharma talks on meditation and nature, and group meetings with the teacher. There will be time to relish in the silence outdoors and to explore the wilderness of Vallecitos both in solitude and as part of the group.

To support a depth of meditative awareness, complete silence is maintained throughout the retreat except during meetings with your teachers and group discussion.

This workshop is appropriate for those early in their retreat practice and experienced meditators who are curious about meditation, mindfulness and how to deepen your insight practice and open your connection to the mystery of the natural world.  Be prepared for unexpected delight, mystery, silence and illumination.

 


COVID Safety Measures: Please review our current COVID Safety Measures, which are subject to change. We are creating this web page in January and retreats will not begin until late May. We very much understand how much things can change between now and the start of our retreat season.  Our Medical Committee is actively and regularly updating our protocols. 

Teachers

Mark Coleman
Mark is a life-long nature lover and is passionate about guiding people into the beauty of meditation and nature. He has led wilderness nature retreats for over 20 years worldwide. Through his organization Awake in the Wild Mark leads yearlong nature meditation teacher trainings in the US and Europe. Mark has trained extensively in the Buddhist tradition, both in the Insight Meditation and in the Dzogchen traditions. He is a senior teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and has taught insight meditation retreats since 1997. Co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute, Mark also leads yearlong professional mindfulness teacher trainings in Europe…
Learn more about Mark Coleman
Robin Craig
Robin brings her understanding of the physiology of resilience to her meditation and counseling practices, and supports a joyful exploration of the deep spirituality and interconnection that is ours by nature. She is a Certified Meditation Teacher in The Mind Illuminated tradition, which is rooted in Theravadan and Tibetan Karma Kagyu traditions with lineage to the Venerable Ananda Bodhi. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and on the Faculty of Organic Intelligence®.
Learn more about Robin Craig