Awakening the Heart of Love; Walking the Path of the Bodhisattva

Location icon
1841 Overland Road, Ward, CO, USA
Users icon
Up to 30 in group
Date
November 5 - 10, 2024

Retreat Highlights

  • Focus: Cultivating compassion, wisdom, and skillful action to benefit all beings, in alignment with the Bodhisattva ideal.
  • Activities:
  • Noble Silence: The entire retreat is held in silence, fostering introspection and deeper engagement with the practices.
  • Lovingkindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity (Brahmaviharas) Meditation: Guided practices and teachings to develop these core qualities.
  • Transformative Guidance: Instruction and support from qualified teachers to deepen your understanding and practice.
  • Foundational Mindfulness Practices: Techniques to cultivate present-moment awareness and mindful living.
  • Self-reflection and Discussion: Opportunities to reflect on your experiences and share insights with others (within the limitations of noble silence).
  • Outcomes:
  • Develop greater compassion and wisdom for yourself and others.
  • Strengthen your capacity for mindful and skillful action.
  • Deepen your understanding of the Bodhisattva path.
  • Connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Awakening the Heart of Love; Walking the Path of the Bodhisattva
The path of the Bodhisattva asks us to dedicate ourselves to the well-being of all sentient beings - to show up as best as we can for ourselves, each other, and the natural world with a quality of no-matter-whatness. It's an impossible though necessary task.

Drawing on the teachings of the Buddha, our retreat focuses on cultivating the capacity to skillfully navigate our everyday lives with a steady receptive mind and a courageous wise heart. Held in peaceful noble silence throughout the retreat, our practices include foundational and transformative guidance on lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Please join us as we take a deep dive into the timeless and beautiful teachings of the Bodhisattva, the one who meets suffering with intention, strength, determination, courage, and love.
Venue at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Center
See website HERE  | Photo gallery HERE  |  Address map HERE

Lodging Options - view lodging options here


You may camp in a beautiful campsite, or stay in the lodge.  There are a limited number of single lodging options, such as single rooms, mini singles and glamping.  All the other rooms are shared accommodations.  Contact Kathy at registrar@rmerc.org for any rooming questions.

Lodging Prices are inclusive of all retreat costs



$615          Mini Single
$615          Glamping
$525|$1050      RV Camping (single/double)
$615           Semi-Private Nook (single) see details on registration page
$870           Single Room
$705           Shared Room  (2 single beds; cost per person).
$1410         Double Room (see note above)  (1 double bed; cost per couple).

Cost and Dana
The cost of the retreat is set as low as possible and only covers expenses: renting the center, food, cooks, insurance, and staff travel.   None of this cost share goes to the teacher, who is solely supported by the dana (generosity) of the participants. In the tradition of the Buddha, teachings are offered without a set fee, keeping costs as low as possible, so no one is excluded due to finances. In turn, we ask that your donation be as generous as possible within your means. Suggested Dana $250 - $750.  Please bring a check or cash. We are grateful for your support.
Scholarships
It is our intention that cost not be an impediment to practice.  If you cannot afford to attend without a fee reduction, you can ask for a scholarship on the registration web site, and then just pay the remaining amount.

Anyone with financial hardship is welcome to apply and will be assessed based on needs and fund availability. We ask that you request the lowest amount required to attend the retreat, so that we can offer support to as many people as possible. Do not let cost be an impediment to your attending.

Payment, Deposits
A non-refundable deposit of $180 is due at the time of registration. Full payment is due 60 days before the retreat start date; your credit card will automatically be charged at that time.
Cancellation, and Refund Policies

If you cancel your retreat at any time, the $180 registration fee is not refunded.
Cancellations received 60-30 days prior will get a refund of half of the final payment.
Cancellations 30-7 days prior will get a refund of a quarter of the final payment.
For cancellations inside of 7 days there will be no refunds.

Infectious Disease Policy
See the complete infectious disease policy here.

RMERC prioritizes creating a safe and comfortable retreat environment. While we don't require vaccinations, testing, or masks, individual retreats might have stricter policies. We recommend wearing N95 masks during travel and self-monitoring your health before arrival. If you experience symptoms, contact the retreat leader and consider adjusting your plans. HEPA air purifiers are available in shared rooms, and mask-wearing is always welcome.
Time and Transportation
The retreat begins at 4:00pm on the first day, and end about 1:00pm after lunch on the last day.  If you are flying into Denver, the airport is about 90 minutes from the center, so you should plan on your flight arriving no later than 1:30pm to reach the retreat center on time. Return flights departing from the Denver airport should leave no earlier than 4pm, so you can get to the airport on time. Please do not plan on leaving the retreat early. As many participants will be camping, you might want to allow some extra time to set up your tent before the retreat starts.
Contact
You will be out of contact with no internet access or cellphone service during the retreat. Please complete all personal business before you arrive. The staff will have the ability to make and receive emergency calls or emails on your behalf, but phone and internet are not available for personal use.
Food and Meals
Three simple vegetarian meals a day will be provided from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day. If you want a snack between meals, or supplemental protein such as jerky or packaged fish, you can bring a small quantity of packaged unrefrigerated food. Tea, coffee and such are available all day long, along with some simple snacks such as mixed nuts and fruit. Please do not bring anything that needs refrigeration (medicine excepted). Excessive snacks are unnecessary: if you need a boost, a little gorp or an energy bar is sufficient for most people.
Special Needs
Figuring menus and quantities, shopping, organizing, and cooking are complex and crucial tasks for a retreat. All meals are ovo-lacto vegetarian with vegan and gluten free options available.  We can accommodate common food allergies such as gluten or dairy, but not food preferences. Make sure to include on the registration form full details of any special allergy or health needs you have beyond basic vegetarian, and we will contact you if they require discussion.
Helper (Yogi) Jobs
Some of the work necessary to support the group will be handled by participants during the retreat. You will be able to choose your yogi job, and will keep it throughout the retreat. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action.
Click Here for Heidi's What to Bring List

Schedule

Daily schedule varies, depending on the retreat.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Rocky Mountain EcoDharma Retreat Center, 1841 Overland Road, Ward, CO, USA

Directions

RMERC is located at 8941 Overland Road, Ward, CO 80481, approximately 45 minutes northwest of Boulder and 1-1/2 hours from Denver International Airport. We provide a rideshare forum for most retreats. Other options include car rentals, and Uber or Lyft.

Accommodation

Our lodge offers accommodations in single and double rooms. Camping, spaces for RVs, and glamping options are available.

RV CAMPING 1 - Lodge Parking Area

Accommodation
This RV space is next to the lodge. No hookups or electric. Generators are not allowed. This space is near the lodge, and you can connect to lodge electricity with a 100 foot extension cord and to a lodge water spicket with a 100 foot hose. Guests may use the lodge facilities. Maximum RV or trailer length is 30 ft. Available for 1 or 2 retreatants in 1 RV. Cost is for one person; you must contact us to register a second person. This RV site is close to the Lodge:

GLAMPING TENT (Single)

Accommodation
Two glamping tents are tucked underneath the lodge building, with walls blocking the wind on two sides, and full southern sun exposure and view. Each tent has a single bed and bedding, small rug, space heater, light, small table, and luggage stand.

MINI SINGLE

Accommodation
These brand new mini singles include a single bed, night table, luggage stand, table lamp, and clothes hooks. They are not large, but they are private.

SEMI-PRIVATE NOOK (Single)

Accommodation
The Nook is a low-ceiling mostly-private hideaway off of the attic dorm (3rd floor). You must crouch or crawl under an eve to enter, through a curtain, but once you're inside it's basically a private space. It has a window and a comfy floor mattress. There is a toilet in the attic; both showers are on the second floor.

SINGLE ROOM

Accommodation
Singles consist of a small private room with a single bed. Most of these are on the third floor (attic level) but some are on the second floor. There are no private bathrooms; all bathrooms are shared by everyone. The attic has a single toilet, the second floor has two showers and two toilets.

DOUBLE (1 double bed; cost is for double occupancy)

Accommodation
This double is available to couples or yogis who are registering together and wish to room with each. PLEASE SELECT 2 PERSONS for this rooming option. The person making the registration will be responsible for the total cost. The second person will receive an email asking them to complete the registration process (but no payment is required). Note: This double is on the second floor. The second floor has two bathrooms and two showers, all of which are shared by everyone.

DOUBLE (SHARED)

Accommodation
Two single beds, in a shared room. You will be matched with someone who identifies as the same gender as you.  These rooms are all on the second floor. The second floor has two bathrooms and two showers, all are shared by everyone. THIS ROOM IS SHARED OCCUPANCY: YOU WILL LIKELY BE SHARING WITH A STRANGER. If you have a preferred roommate, you can send a request to registrar@rmerc.org and we will try our best to move the two of you into a shared space.  

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The center is on 180 acres of private river, meadow and woodland, adjacent to National Forest and just a few miles from the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The land is set aside as a nature preserve and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, bear and beaver. The lodge provides comfortable year-round housing for up to 30 people. Camping is available.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegetarian menu, with accommodations for gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan diets.

What's Included

  • We provide linens, three wholesome vegetarian meals per day, meditation supports, hiking in nature, and a variety of lodging options.

What's Not Included

  • WiFi and cell phone service are not available at the retreat center.

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Life-changing experience
I attended a week-long retreat (Metta: The Practice of Loving Kindness) that was absolutely life-changing. The location is beautiful and peaceful, the lodge is comfortable and peaceful, and the teaching and meditation were profound.

5.0
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Incredible natural setting and great teachers
My times at this retreat center have been very supportive and enjoyable. I feel like they strike the right balance between nature and comfort in terms of the facility itself, and the center also draws wonderful teachers.

5.0
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JOY !
Beyond an Amazing experience ! Couldn’t recommend it enough. Truly beautiful humans coming together to practice seeing joy in the everyday. Leaders are truly radiating people with gifted talent in teaching mindfulness. Highlights were the 48 hour solo in the woods and receiving group sessions on working the internal family systems therapy concepts!

5.0
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Awesome. Nothing more needed.
If you are on the fence about coming here, don't be. Teachers and facilities are exactly what is needed.

5.0
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The quintessential combo of nature, nurture and nutrition
I had a wonderful experience at a 5 day silent retreat called Budha nature, human nature, nature's nature. We had so many opportunities to walk in silence together and sit while experiencing the wild weather and natural beauty. And the food! It was an epicurean delight of vegan comfort food!!

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