Johann’s retreats are all held at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center.

This beautiful mountain center provides a perfect setting for a nature retreat. The center has a variety of indoor lodging and camping options, miles of trails, forests, ridges, meadows, a river, and incredible views. It is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including moose, deer, elk, a few very shy bears, and lots of birds, hummingbirds, and small critters. RMERC was founded by Johann in 2016, and he served as unpaid Executive Director and President of the Board until 2023. RMERC is easy to access, just over half an hour from Boulder and an hour and a half from Denver International Airport.

A natural setting gives us powerful support for deep practice. Meditating outdoors together, being in the sunrise and sunset, walking the trails during the day, and having Dharma talks and discussions around the campfire at night, are highlights of these meditation retreats. Complete instructions and guidance are given on meditating in nature, both sitting and walking, and how to be with the natural world, merging into oneness and love.

The more you enjoy meditation the more you will do. Being outdoors in nature, in a beautiful place, relaxed and open, silent and deep, with a close-knit group, can be as good as a summer vacation gets.

Many other meditation retreats are costing as much as $300 per day, plus teacher Dana (donations). These retreats cost much less, and we make them as affordable as possible. The food is fantastic, and there are private rooms, shared rooms, and camping, all at low cost. Our intention is that cost is not an impediment to retreats, and scholarships are always available when needed (see information on each retreat for details).

The small size of our retreats, with a maximum of 28 participants, creates connected groups, and time for personal contact and individualized guidance from the teachers. It also allows for a much more intimate experience of being in nature, which is difficult in a large group. Some of these retreats have times of interaction among participants, some are totally silent; please check descriptions carefully.

On all retreats, participants have an important role in supporting the function, comfort and safety of the retreat Sangha (community). Yogi jobs are an expression of caring through work, everyone taking care of and being taken care of, which creates a field of safety, connection and love.

We face challenges to our climate, environment, planet, and long-term survival. Our retreats foster a deeper connection with inner and outer nature, which leads naturally to a motivation for appropriate responses and actions in the world. We work together to learn and practice how wise and compassionate actions can become an integral part of our spiritual path.

To find out about summer nature retreats as soon as they are announced each winter, sign up for either email list here.