Buddha Shakyamuni
Solitary Retreat
Solitary Retreat
Two buildings are available for established practitioners to do solitary retreat:
The Geodesic Dome
Once tarp-covered with a sand floor, has been completely retrofitted with insulated wood floor and ceiling and straw bale walls covered with adobe and natural white clay paint. A glass door on the south side lets in winter sun for 15 degrees of solar gain, but is shaded in the summer for mid-day coolness. A wood-burning stove provides the rest of the winter heat. Shrine, storage, carpeting, tile, simple cooking facilities, bed, and practice table and cushions create a stunningly silent and comfortable environment for year-round meditation and other practice.
This building’s long-term use is as a monastic meeting and practice area. Its short-
term use is as a retreat cabin. Monastics may do retreat here free. Lay practitioners
pay $20 per night to the Western Monastic Support Fund.
The Practice Yurt
View Inside the Yurt
Is on a platform with large windows opening to the branches of a grove of 200-300 year old pinons. It has a wood-burning stove and similar furnishings. Yurts are not well insulated, and December-January use when the fire has to be kept going 24/7 would be very difficult. Retreatants may choose whether or not to do Sunday morning practice with the local Sangha. $20 per night from lay practitioners benefits the Building Fund.
For both facilities, formal solitary retreat with four practice sessions per day is required. Space permitting, experienced practitioners who are students of other
teachers are welcome. Please contact White Jewel Mountain’s Land Manager at 719 256-5773 to make arrangements. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Please note that our mountain solitude comes complete with a bear, a bachelor group of elk, a band of large coyotes, and lots of smaller animals and birds. Water is at the trailhead or from a very long garden hose and there is no electricity. Bring your own practice items, light, food, and bedding. Propane, firewood, and bear-proof food storage are provided.