Main Hall at Blazing Mountain Retreat Center
Shamatha and Joyous Effort Retreat with John Bruna
October 31 – November 3, 2024
Attend in person or online!
Joyous effort is an attitude that takes delight in virtue. Without it, actualizing our spiritual aspirations is impossible. But with joyous effort, we happily practice the path for our own and others’ welfare, without discouragement or exhaustion.
Our first retreat at Blazing Mountain was beyond our expectations. So much so, that we immediately booked our Fall retreat with them.
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.
The focus of the retreat will be developing a shamatha (calm-abiding) meditation practice to cultivate attention and mindfulness, and sustaining it with joyous effort. Though originating from Buddhism, these practices are universal to people of all spiritual traditions and philosophies.
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: October 31 – November 3, 2024
Register: Register using the buttons below.
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:
If canceled prior to October 1st, refund less $50.
If canceled between October 1st and October 15th, half of your registration fee will be refunded.
If canceled on October 16th or later, there is no refund available.
Traveling to the retreat: Here are detailed Directions to Blazing Mountain Retreat Center.
Tentative Retreat Schedule
All times are Mountain Standard Time, USA
Thursday – October 31
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 – November 1-2
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 – November 3
7:00 am: Morning Meditation
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Final Session