A Silent Meditation Retreat in Nature

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

Begins: May 5th, 2026

Awakening the heart of love and learning to walk the path of the bodhisattva is necessary medicine for our ailing world. Join us for this transformative retreat among the deeply peaceful and stunning setting of Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center.

Come immerse yourself in this spacious silent retreat dedicated to befriending, cultivating, and nourishing the goodness that already lives inside of you, your Buddhanature. Waking up to the bodhisattva within requires the steady, honest, tender, courage necessary to meet the suffering of oneself, each other, our communities, and the more-than-human world.

“Strengthen your ability to face with love whatever happens next.”
- Zoketsu Norman Fischer

DATES
Tuesday to Sunday
May 5 - 10, 2026
Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center
Ward, CO (near Boulder)
REGISTER HERE

Fully engaging life with its inherent joys and sorrows, opportunities and limitations, successes and failures is no small task, and the Dharma offers timeless wisdom and practical guidance for these times.

Throughout the retreat, we’ll take a deep dive into the Buddha’s teachings on the Paramis, the mature expressions of a heart dedicated to creating a more just, considered, and compassionate world. The Paramis include Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Energy, Patience, Truthfulness, Determination, Loving-Kindness, and Equanimity.

Each day of the retreat includes meditation, gentle mindful movement, dharma talks, along with ample time for rest and spacious silent personal reflection. Many forms of inquiry and exploration are welcome – writing, painting, drawing, taking a hike, or even a nap. Small group dharma discussions will be offered as further support for one’s practice, questions, and discoveries.

YOGI JOBS
Yogi jobs will be organized by the retreat manager. Most participants find serving others in this way quite enjoyable, and a great opportunity for practice in action. Yogi jobs typically include meal prep, meal clean up, bathrooms, tea bar, and last-day clean up.

ACCOMMODATIONS & NOURISHMENT
Lodging options include small single rooms, double shared rooms, and glamping, all with shared bathrooms. Choose your lodging preference with registration.

Three simple vegetarian meals a day will be provided from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day. The meals are varied, nutritious, and delicious. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when you register.

Everyone is welcome; new and seasoned meditators, LGBTQIA+, and those of any background over the age 18.

SCHEDULE
Early Morning Session
6:45 – Movement
7:15 – Sitting Meditation
TBD – Breakfast

Morning Session
10:00 – Daily Instructions & Sitting Meditation
11:00 – Walking Meditation
11:45 – Sitting Meditation
TBD – Lunch
1:30 – Open Meditation, Personal Time, Small Groups

Afternoon Session
2:45 – Small Group -mid retreat
3:30 – Qigong
4:00 – Sit
4:30 – Dharma Talk
TBD – Dinner

Evening Session
7:30 – Movement, Chanting, Sitting
8:45 – End of evening- further personal practice

FEES & REGISTRATION
Fees include food and lodging
Regular Pricing: $495 - $810
Early Bird*: $435 - $750
*Early bird discount of $60 ends February 23, 2026
REGISTER HERE

Tuition/Teacher Support: Voluntary
*Offering dana (support) for teachers is an ancient practice of generosity and reciprocity.  Along with many wisdom traditions, it is the foundation of Buddhist practice, and is founded on the deep understanding that offering support keeps the teachings alive, opens the heart, and creates community and connections.The fees for the retreat is set as low as possible and covers only retreat center expenses. None of the fees go to the teachers, who are solely supported by your generosity. In the tradition of the Buddha, the amount of the dana offering is up to each individual. We ask that your offering be as generous as your finances allow in order to support the tireless efforts of the teachers. Please bring a check or cash. We are very grateful for your support.

Financial Support is available and offered by Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center. Please apply here.

Photos: rmerc.org and unsplash.com

The Teaching Team:

Heidi Bourne is a meditation teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition and is the founder and guiding teacher of Pacific Mindfulness. She has been teaching since 2005 offering classes, series courses, nature retreats, trauma-informed and resiliency-focused professional programs, and teaches regularly for Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Heidi is especially interested in the integration of the common sense, accessible and timeless teachings of awareness, ethics, and compassion into the complexity of our everyday lives. She is known for her grounded, down-to-earth humor and presence. Heidi holds certification in mindfulness facilitation from UCLA, trauma resiliency from the Trauma Resource Institute, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She has a background in nursing and over 35 years in small business leadership.

Heather Lear, MA, our movement teacher, was born and raised with the Dharma in a family of Insight Meditation practitioners. She studies and teaches at the intersection of heart-centered Dharma, embodiment practices including Radiant Heart Qigong and community-centered racial awakening and DEIA work, and serves as the Program Manager at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Heather is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Advanced Practitioners Program, the Sati Center’s Buddhist Chaplaincy Training, Radiant Heart Qigong Teacher Training, and Awakening Joy Teacher Training. She has served on the teaching team offering the 6-month White and Awakening in Sangha program at the East Bay Meditation Center since 2019, and is currently training in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness (TSM) and yoga with Janet Stone.