Retreats cultivate joy!


Living Mindfully Retreat with John Bruna
April 24th – 27th, 2025
Attend in person or online!


“Mindfulness is much more than present moment awareness; mindfulness includes and facilitates the cultivation of concentration, wisdom, and the ability to make healthy choices that foster genuine happiness and a meaningful life.”— John Bruna

The retreat’s focus will be developing the skills of living mindfully to engage in our lives in ways that reduce stress, develop resiliency, attain greater degrees of self-worth, and cultivate more joy. Though based on Buddhist teachings, these practices are taught in a universal language, honoring and enhancing each person’s spiritual tradition and/or philosophy. Essentially, these are skills to help one live a life they find meaningful and fulfilling. 

The Blazing Mountain Retreat Center is located in Crestone, Colorado. Nestled in the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado, the retreat center provides a contemplative and quiet space for undisturbed and undistracted spiritual exploration. We found it to be an ideal location for us to host our retreats.

John Bruna teaching at the Durango Dharma Center

The retreat format will include teachings, meditation, discussion, and personal time. The first half of the day will be dedicated to meditation practice. There will be silence until lunch and multiple meditation sessions of 24 minutes with breaks. The afternoons and evenings will include some meditation, discussions, question-and-answer periods, and time to connect with others.

The retreat will be facilitated by our spiritual director,  John Bruna. John has a particular gift for making these valuable teachings accessible and practical for our modern lifestyles. All of his teachings focus on preparing students to properly engage in authentic practice in ways that are effective and meaningful to them. He is known for his warmth and humor, as well as practicality.


Some photos of Blazing Mountain Retreat Center

Retreat Details

Dates: April 24-27, 2025

Shared room/shared bath $545
Private room/shared bath $595
Private room/private bath $645 (Full, waiting list available)



The price for the retreat is all-inclusive for the retreat, lodging, and meals. It is not tax-deductible.

You may make a donation for the teaching if you would like. We are a traditional center, so all of our teachings are offered freely on a donation basis. You may offer any amount as a tax-deductible donation, either in advance or at the teaching. The retreat payment covers our costs to pay for the retreat center and run the retreat. Your donation beyond the registration payment supports our center.

Cancelation Policy

Cancelations before March 1st: Refund minus $75
Cancelations between March 1st and April 1st: 50% refund
Cancelations after April 1st: No refund

Traveling to the retreat: Here are detailed Directions to Blazing Mountain Retreat Center.


Tentative Retreat Schedule
All times are Mountain Standard Time, USA

Thursday – April 24

3:00 pm – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Check in.
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Opening Session

Friday and Saturday – April 25-26

7:00 am: Morning Meditation (online)
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am – 11:30 am: Morning Session
12:30 am: Lunch
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Afternoon Session
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Session

Sunday – April 27

7:00 am: Morning Meditation
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Final Session