The Intertwining of Metta and Vipassana
Description
July 7 - 13, 2026
With Dave Smith and Vance Pryor
This retreat is offered with a sliding-scale pricing model and a range of housing choices, making it easier to find an option that fits your needs. All accommodations are single occupancy, and pricing includes meals; lodging is included where noted.
Housing and Pricing Options
- Casita Benefactor Rate – For guests who are resourced and wish to help support another participant. This rate covers retreat costs and helps fund financial assistance for others. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible.
- Casita Actual Rate – Covers the actual cost of the retreat.
- Casita Scholarship Rate – A 35% scholarship off the actual cost. If you need additional support beyond this rate, select this option, complete registration, and then submit the scholarship application provided after registering.
- Yurt Benefactor Rate – Covers retreat costs and supports others who need financial assistance. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible.
- Yurt Actual Rate – Covers the actual cost of the retreat.
- Yurt Scholarship Rate – A 35% scholarship off the actual cost. If you need additional assistance beyond this rate, select this option, complete registration, and then submit the additional scholarship application provided after registering.
- Tent Cabin Benefactor Rate – Covers retreat costs and helps support others who require financial assistance. The difference between this rate and the actual rate is tax-deductible.
- Tent Cabin Actual Rate – Covers the actual cost of the retreat.
- Tent Cabin Scholarship Rate – A 35% scholarship off the actual cost. If you need additional assistance beyond this rate, select this option, complete registration, and then submit the additional scholarship application provided after registering.
- Hermitage - Supporting scholarships and land stewardship – This option supports land stewardship efforts and helps provide access for retreatants who need extra financial support. The difference between this rate and the actual hermitage rate is tax-deductible.
- Hermitage - Supporting scholarships – Supports access for retreatants who require additional assistance. The difference between this rate and the actual hermitage rate is tax-deductible.
- Hermitage - A secluded cabin – A private cabin overlooking mountains, meadows, and the Vallecitos River. The Hermitage is a single occupancy heated space and includes a queen size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, counter, a nearby private outhouse, meals, and lodging.
- Tent Camping – An economical choice for experienced campers only. You must bring your own tent camping gear, as Vallecitos does not provide tents. Conditions can vary greatly, precipitation should be expected, and full self-sufficiency is required. This option is strongly discouraged for anyone new to Vallecitos. Tent camping spaces are single occupancy and may not be shared. Pricing includes meals.
Additional Options
- Comfort Pack – Includes bedding and towels.
- Round Trip Shuttle – See website for more details.
- One Way Shuttle – See website for more details.
Cancellation Policy: 45+ days = full refund, less nonrefundable $150 fee; 45-22 days = 50% refund; 0-21 days = no refunds. This policy applies to all registered guests, including scholarship recipients.
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).
Hermitage - A secluded cabin
A secluded cabin overlooking mountains, meadows and the Vallecitos River, the Hermitage is the perfect setting for a more private retreat experience. The octagonal cabin is furnished with a queen size bed, night stand, desk, chair, shelves, sink, and counter. A private outhouse for the hermitage is nearby. The hermitage is a single occupancy heated space. The price includes meals and lodging.
Teachers
About Dave Smith Dave Smith is an internationally recognized Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and published author whose work bridges traditional practice and modern applications. Grounded in the Insight Meditation tradition, he was authorized to teach through the Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. Over the years, he has brought meditation-based support into jails, prisons, youth detention centers, and addiction...
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About Vance Pryor Vance Pryor, Psy.D., has been practicing insight meditation since 1998, bringing more than two decades of dedicated experience to his teaching. His path has been shaped by the profound influence of Mahasi Sayadaw and Sayadaw U Tejaniya, whose approaches continue to inform his understanding of mindfulness and meditation practice. As a teacher, he has benefited from the guidance and...
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Contact Information
Tue, Jul 7