Retreat as Ceremony: Mindfulness and Indigenous Presence for Wellness and Healing, A Retreat for Indigenous Peoples
Description
Join Bonnie Duran, Carol Cano, Elvina Charley (Diné), and Mario Castillo (Trainee) for a residential retreat designed to support Indigenous healing, reflection, and connection. This gathering offers a thoughtful framework and practical guidance for Mindful “Indigenous Presence” meditation, inviting participants into deeper harmony with the present moment and the world around them.
Created as a space for Indigenous peoples, the retreat emphasizes acceptance while nurturing clarity, confidence, resilience, and strength. Through shared practice and grounded teaching, attendees can expect a supportive environment that encourages inner steadiness and a renewed sense of presence. This retreat is an opportunity to step away from daily demands and enter a ceremonial setting centered on wellness, mindfulness, and healing.
Accommodation Options
Tent Cabins
The tent cabins at Vallecitos offer a simple, yet comfortable, low-cost accommodation. The tent cabins are on wooden platforms with canvas walls. Each has a bed, a small table and chair. There are zipper windows in the tent cabins and the front opening can be spread wide to invite in sunlight. All tent cabins have a small propane heater. Tent cabins are single occupancy, stand-alone structures. Please note that tent cabins tend to be colder in the shoulder seasons (May and September/October).
Tent Camping
An economical option intended only for experienced campers. You are required to bring your own tent camping gear, as Vallecitos does NOT supply a tent. Temperatures are highly variable, precipitation is to be expected, and you are expected to be fully self-sufficient. This option is strongly discouraged for anyone new to Vallecitos. Please note that our tent camping spaces, like all Vallecitos housing options, are single occupancy. You may not share a tent or camping space with other retreat participants. Pricing includes meals.
Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate
This option covers retreat costs and helps support others who require financial assistance to attend. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible. We greatly appreciate your help in supporting access to practice on retreat at Vallecitos. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.
Tent Cabin Actual Rate
This rate covers the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals.
Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate
This option is a 35% scholarship of the actual costs of the retreat. All accommodations are single occupancy. The price includes accommodation and meals. If you require additional scholarship assistance above this rate, please select this housing option. Complete your registration, and then submit an additional scholarship application (directions are provided after registering).
Teachers
About Bonnie Duran Bonnie Duran first encountered the Dharma in 1982 at Kopan Monastery in Nepal and in Bodhgaya, India. Her training has included teachings from leading Western teachers such as Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield, along with Thai, Burmese, and Tibetan monastic teachers. She completed the retreat teacher-training program at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and Spirit Rock Meditation Center...
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About Carol Cano Carol Cano, M.A., began practicing Theravada Buddhist teachings more than 35 years ago at Wat Kow Tahm in Thailand. A multi-ethnic Indigenous dharma teacher, she is a Spirit Rock Residential Retreat Buddhist teacher, a core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC), and the Founder and Executive Director of Braided Wisdom, a BIPOC-led cross-cultural mindfulness nonprofit organization. Teaching...
Read moreElvina Charley (Diné)
Mario Castillo (Trainee)
Elvina Charley
Mario Castillo
Place
