Writing from Presence
Writing from Presence
Drala Mountain Center, 151 Shambhala Way, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545, USA
Up to 200 in group
Feb 26 - Mar 1, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Drala Mountain Center retreats center on: yoga, health and wellness; meditation and mindfulness including silent meditation; Buddhist studies and dharma teachings; nature and the natural world, and creative expression. Our venue is also available for facility rental and/or self-guided retreats.
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Named one of 2025’s powerful women of the mindfulness movement, Caverly Morgan is a spiritual teacher, nonprofit founder, speaker, and writer whose practice began in 1995 and has included eight years of training in a silent Zen monastery. She is the author of The Heart of Who We Are: Realizing Freedom Together as well as A Kids Book About Mindfulness.
Caverly is the founder of Peace in Schools, a nonprofit that created the nation’s first for-credit mindfulness class in public high schools. She is also the founder of Realizing Freedom Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making practices that lead to liberation for all, accessible to all. Caverly leads meditation retreats, workshops, and online classes internationally. Learn more at caverlymorgan.org.
Details of this retreat
Winter, with its serene stillness and enveloping darkness, invites us into a deep space of introspection and creativity. Join us for a weekend retreat where meditation meets the practice of writing, guided by author and spiritual teacher Caverly Morgan.
Imagine crisp mountain air, snow-draped trees, and quiet fields stretching beneath wintry skies as the backdrop for delving into contemplative writing practices that transcend conventional boundaries. Experience the profound support of channeling what lies beyond the ego, inviting it gently onto the page. Together, we’ll drop into deep listening and explore the boundless landscape of creative expression.
This retreat isn’t about producing a finished piece; it’s about journeying beneath the conditioned mind and attuning to the voice that emerges from the depths of your being—from the depths of presence. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or simply curious about putting pen to paper, you’ll find an evocative invitation to explore this open and mysterious landscape. Through meditation and periods of silence, you’ll be supported in allowing creativity to flow freely and authentically.
This retreat will include:
Meditation
Writing exercises/prompts that support cultivating a relationship with spirit/the divine
Silent time to explore what’s beyond the “rules” of conditioned writing structure
Support in channeling what’s beyond the ego, inviting it onto the page
Relational (social) Dharma practice that supports us in recognizing what veils truth
Time for solitude
The backdrop of this retreat will be a hybrid of silence and relational (social) time.
Program Perquisites: Recommended but not required, is reading Caverly’s book, The Heart of Who We Are:Realizing Freedom Together.
We look forward to welcoming you into this meditative weekend of winter beauty, deep listening and writing from presence.
Imagine crisp mountain air, snow-draped trees, and quiet fields stretching beneath wintry skies as the backdrop for delving into contemplative writing practices that transcend conventional boundaries. Experience the profound support of channeling what lies beyond the ego, inviting it gently onto the page. Together, we’ll drop into deep listening and explore the boundless landscape of creative expression.
This retreat isn’t about producing a finished piece; it’s about journeying beneath the conditioned mind and attuning to the voice that emerges from the depths of your being—from the depths of presence. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or simply curious about putting pen to paper, you’ll find an evocative invitation to explore this open and mysterious landscape. Through meditation and periods of silence, you’ll be supported in allowing creativity to flow freely and authentically.
This retreat will include:
Meditation
Writing exercises/prompts that support cultivating a relationship with spirit/the divine
Silent time to explore what’s beyond the “rules” of conditioned writing structure
Support in channeling what’s beyond the ego, inviting it onto the page
Relational (social) Dharma practice that supports us in recognizing what veils truth
Time for solitude
The backdrop of this retreat will be a hybrid of silence and relational (social) time.
Program Perquisites: Recommended but not required, is reading Caverly’s book, The Heart of Who We Are:Realizing Freedom Together.
We look forward to welcoming you into this meditative weekend of winter beauty, deep listening and writing from presence.
Schedule
Thursday
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Check-in
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Orientation
6:00 pm | Dinner
7:00 | Opening Group Practice with Caverly
Silent hours begin
Friday & Saturday
Silent hours will be observed each morning until the 10:00 am group begins; optional to be in silence throughout the day.
8:00 – 10:00 am | Breakfast, Free Time, Writing Time
10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Lunch, Free Time, Writing Time
3:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
6:00 pm | Dinner
7:00 pm | Evening Meditation and Group Practice with Caverly
Silent hours begin.
Sunday
Silent hours will be observed until the 10:00 am group begins; optional to be in silence throughout the remainder of the day.
8:00 am | Breakfast and Free Time
9:00 am – 9:30 am | Check-out of Rooms
10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Departures
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Check-in
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Orientation
6:00 pm | Dinner
7:00 | Opening Group Practice with Caverly
Silent hours begin
Friday & Saturday
Silent hours will be observed each morning until the 10:00 am group begins; optional to be in silence throughout the day.
8:00 – 10:00 am | Breakfast, Free Time, Writing Time
10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Lunch, Free Time, Writing Time
3:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
6:00 pm | Dinner
7:00 pm | Evening Meditation and Group Practice with Caverly
Silent hours begin.
Sunday
Silent hours will be observed until the 10:00 am group begins; optional to be in silence throughout the remainder of the day.
8:00 am | Breakfast and Free Time
9:00 am – 9:30 am | Check-out of Rooms
10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Group Practice with Caverly
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Departures
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Drala Mountain Center, Drala Mountain Center, 151 Shambhala Way, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545, USA
Directions
Drala Mountain Center is a two hour drive from Denver International Airport.
Start out going north on Pena Blvd.
Turn slight left toward Terminal West
Stay straight to go onto Pena Blvd.
Take the E-470 TOLLWAY N exit, EXIT 6B, toward Boulder/Fort Collins
Merge onto E-470 N (portions toll; electronic toll collection only) for 17.5 mi.
Merge onto I-25 N/US-87 N via Exit 47 toward Ft Collins for 41.2 miles
Merge onto CO-14 W/E Mulberry St via EXIT 269B toward Ft Collins for 3.5 mi
Turn slight right onto Riverside Ave. (Riverside Ave is 0.3 miles past S Lemay Ave)
Riverside Ave. becomes Jefferson St. You are on Riverside/Jefferson for about 1 mi
Turn slight right onto N College Ave/US-287 N/CO-14 W. Follow US-287/CO-14 W for 3.4 mi.
Turn slight right just past N Shields St to stay on US-287 N for .5 mi
Follow US-287/CO-14/La Porte Bypass for 16.6 mi
Turn left onto CR-74E/Red Feather Lakes Rd/Jackass Rd/Livermore for another 12.8 mi
Turn left onto CR-68C/Boy Scout Rd just past the blue and white sign “Drala Mountain Center 5 miles”
Follow CR-68C/Boy Scout Road 5 miles (unpaved)
Turn left at the entrance to Drala Mountain Center, 151 Shambhala Way
Start out going north on Pena Blvd.
Turn slight left toward Terminal West
Stay straight to go onto Pena Blvd.
Take the E-470 TOLLWAY N exit, EXIT 6B, toward Boulder/Fort Collins
Merge onto E-470 N (portions toll; electronic toll collection only) for 17.5 mi.
Merge onto I-25 N/US-87 N via Exit 47 toward Ft Collins for 41.2 miles
Merge onto CO-14 W/E Mulberry St via EXIT 269B toward Ft Collins for 3.5 mi
Turn slight right onto Riverside Ave. (Riverside Ave is 0.3 miles past S Lemay Ave)
Riverside Ave. becomes Jefferson St. You are on Riverside/Jefferson for about 1 mi
Turn slight right onto N College Ave/US-287 N/CO-14 W. Follow US-287/CO-14 W for 3.4 mi.
Turn slight right just past N Shields St to stay on US-287 N for .5 mi
Follow US-287/CO-14/La Porte Bypass for 16.6 mi
Turn left onto CR-74E/Red Feather Lakes Rd/Jackass Rd/Livermore for another 12.8 mi
Turn left onto CR-68C/Boy Scout Rd just past the blue and white sign “Drala Mountain Center 5 miles”
Follow CR-68C/Boy Scout Road 5 miles (unpaved)
Turn left at the entrance to Drala Mountain Center, 151 Shambhala Way
Accommodation
Car Camping/Van Life = 5 primitive parking spots; includes food and access to bathhouses. Earth Dorm = non-gendered rustic cabin with 8 beds. Red Feather Double = 3 rustic cabins with 5 double rooms each, outfitted with 2 twin beds. Lodge Dorm = two same gender dormitories, each with 7 twin beds and access to same-gender bathrooms Lodge Double = 2 full size beds, a desk, walk in closet and private bathroom Lodge Single Monk Room - full size bed, desk, closet, access to same-gender bath Lodge Single = full or queen-size bed; private bath, desk and closet. Fireplace lounge on the first floor and outdoor patio with beautiful views. Lodge Junior Suite = queen-size bed topped with a cozy comforter, a desk, dresser, closet and private bath with bathtub, plus a sitting area.
Off land
Lodge Dorm
Lodge Single
Lodge Junior Suite
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Sacred Studies Hall: Seating for 150; 1,254 sq ft: sunlit hall featuring bamboo floors and a multitude of windows.
Rigden Shrine Room: Seating for 80; 875 sq ft: bright, spacious hall floored with bamboo and encircled by windows, beautiful views.
Red Feather Conference Center: Seating for 90; 1,150 sq ft; secluded and quiet meeting space, away from the center of campus
Shotoku: Seating for 95; 1,900 square feet over two rooms.
Rigden Shrine Room: Seating for 80; 875 sq ft: bright, spacious hall floored with bamboo and encircled by windows, beautiful views.
Red Feather Conference Center: Seating for 90; 1,150 sq ft; secluded and quiet meeting space, away from the center of campus
Shotoku: Seating for 95; 1,900 square feet over two rooms.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Drala Mountain Center provides Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to all guests. Tea, coffee, milk, plant-based milks, fresh fruit and toast are available throughout the day. The Gift Store carries treats.
What's Included
- Lodging
- All meals
- Expert-led instruction on topic or practice
- Access to all campus facilities
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Ground transportation to Drala Mountain Center (though we can arrange it for participants)
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