New Year Retreat 2025
with Ven. Gyelse, Dec 29-Jan 3, 2025
Meditation Retreat
Based on: ACI Foundation Course 1: The Principal Teachings of Buddhism
with Ven. Gyelse
Dec 29–Jan 3, 2025
Remember ACI 1, The Three Principle Paths? Maybe you do and maybe you don’t. Come join us in a meditation retreat to go deeper into the very foundations of the Buddhist path using the materials we learned in ACI 1. We will explore how to integrate and bring alive ideas like the Eight Worldly Thoughts, the four principles of karma/seeds, the benefits of the Wish and how to develop it into our daily lives.
It is recommended that you have completed the classes of ACI to embark on this retreat. Knowing the ideas is important so you can go into them more deeply.
When: Dec 29–Jan 3, 2025 (check-in: 1-4pm)
Where: Diamond Mountain Retreat Center, 3209 S Old Fort Bowie Road, Bowie, AZ
Language: English
Teachers: Ven. Gyelse
Group Size: min. 5 participants
What is included: Retreat cottage (including linen, towels, kitchen, and bath), one prepared meal per day
What is NOT included:
- Transfer from Tucson International Airport to Diamond Mountain. If you need a shuttle, please add “shuttle” during registration and plan to arrive in Tucson BEFORE 11am on Dec 29, 2024 and depart NO EARLIER than 3pm on January 3, 2025. If you need a hotel because of your flight schedule, we recommend La Quinta Tucson Airport. And yes, we have a shopping stop on our way to Diamond Mountain so that you can get groceries for your breakfast and dinner.
- We also encourage you to carpool. After registration, you will receive a link to a WhatsApp group where you can connect with other participants.
If you have more questions, please click here.
Retreat Registration fees cover private retreat cottage (including linen and towels), lunches, and handouts
Private Cottage (accommodates 1 guest. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are not shared with anyone else)
- Private Cottage: MODEST USD 600
- Private Cottage: DELUXE USD 735
- Private Cottage: PREMIUM USD 820
Private Room (accommodates 1 guest. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared with another person)
- Private Room: DELUXE USD 495
- Private Room: PREMIUM USD 600
Other
- Round-trip shuttle from and to Tucson Airport: USD 200
Apply here if you need support for attending the retreat. Or join our “ARE YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW FOR RETREAT?” program to plant the seeds for joining.
Daily Schedule
Arrival day (Dec 29)
1-4pm check-in
6:00pm first class
Retreat days (Dec 30 – Jan 2)
7:00 – 8:00: 1st meditation session
8:00 – 8:30: Stretch/tea break
8:30 – 9:00: 2nd meditation session
9 :00– 10: 00: Yoga/dance/ tai chi/ movement practice
10:00 – 10:30: Breakfast
10:30- 11:00: 3rd meditation session
11:00 – 11:15: Break
11:15 – 12:00: 4th meditation session
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch
1:00 – 3:00: Relax, walk, journal
3:00 – 3:45: Memorize
3:45 – 4:00: Break
4 :00– 4:45: Continue memorizing
Dinner
Relax
Journal
Before bed 20-30 mins: Rejoicing and gratitude meditation
Sweet Dreams
Departuer day (Jan. 3)
7:30am Class
End retreat – 10:30
Most of our eco-friendly retreat cottages include 12-volt solar electricity, composting toilets, and passive solar design which allows them to naturally stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Please check out our cottages here.
We have plenty of mats and meditation cushions onsite—no need to bring your own.
Here are a few helpful links to prepare: come prepared, what does off-grid mean, directions
Wi-fi is available for emergency use, and cell coverage is practically non-existent. We strongly encourage that you put all your electronic devices in airplane mode, and plan to take advantage of the opportunity to be completely off-grid!
Registration fees are refundable:
- 50% refundable up to 3 months (before September 28, 2024)
- 25% refundable from 3 months – 1 month (between September 28 – November 28, 2024)
- 0% for the last month (after November 28, 2024)
You are welcome to request an exception to this policy.
We would like you to know the rules, the Do’s & Don’ts. Please let us know if you have any questions. We are happy to answer, and if there are any concerns from your side – maybe we can find a solution! Let’s talk.
If you still have questions about the retreat or your registration please let us know by clicking here
Maybe you are sure you want to come, but you are a little bit tight on money at the moment?
Please send us an email and let us know which housing you would like and a suggested payment plan that would work for you. Click me to send the email.