AndrewCohen.org

The Being retreat (Part 1) will begin on Sunday, August 1, with dinner at 6 PM, and will end after breakfast on Thursday, August 12. Registration begins at 2:30 PM on Sunday, August 1. Plan to arrive after 2:30 PM but no later than 6 PM to allow time for completing your registration and settling in before dinner. There will be a welcome and orientation meeting at 8 PM. Please note that there may be up to 10 hours of meditation per day during this retreat.

The Becoming retreat (Part 2) will begin on Thursday, August 12, with dinner at 6 PM, and will end at around lunch time on Monday, August 23. Registration begins at 2:30 PM on August 12. Plan to arrive after 2:30 PM  but no later than 6 PM to allow time for completing your registration and settling in before dinner. There will be a welcome and orientation meeting at 8 PM.

There will be three options for participation in this retreat:

1. Entire retreat: August 1–23
or
2. Part 1: August 1–12
or
3. Part 2: August 12–23

Total cost for the entire retreat includes tuition, meals, and accommodation. Click here for a description of accommodations.
Shared cabin tent	$2900
Seasonal dorm with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$2900
Single cabin tent	$3280
Rustic style double room with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$3280
Dormitory with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$3280
Double room with private bath (Shambhala Lodge) (limited availability)	$4560
Single room with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) (limited availability)	$5240
Single room with private bath (Rigden & Shambhala Lodge) (limited availability)	$5900

Costs include tuition, meals, and accommodation. Click here for a description of accommodations.
Shared cabin tent	$1600
Seasonal dorm with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge)	$1600
Single cabin tent	$1830
Rustic style double room with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge)	$1830
Dormitory with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) SOLD OUT FOR WOMEN limited availability for men *	$1830
Double room with private bath (Shambhala Lodge) (limited availability)	$2480
Single room with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) (limited availability)	$2720
Single room with private bath (Rigden & Shambhala Lodge) (limited availability)	$3160

Calculate rates in other currencies.

Costs include tuition, meals, and accommodation. Click here for a description of accommodations.
Shared cabin tent	$1700
Seasonal dorm with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$1700
Single cabin tent	$1890
Rustic style double room with communal bath (Red Feather Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$1890
Dormitory with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$1890
Double room with private bath (Shambhala Lodge) SOLD OUT *	$2680
Single room with shared bath (Rigden Lodge) (limited availability)	$2720
Single room with private bath (Rigden & Shambhala Lodge) (limited availability)	$3260

* If you want to be placed on a waiting list for either the rustic double, double room with private bath, or Domritory with shared bath send an email to intensives@enlightennext.org or call 413.637.6058.

Calculate rates in US dollars or other currencies.

To reserve a place on this retreat, please register here. You will need to submit a deposit of $500. The balance is due by July 1.

The retreat will take place at the Shambhala Mountain Center, which is located in the mountains of northern Colorado.

There will be an $80 cancellation fee for written requests received before June 1. Written cancellation requests received after June 1 will be charged a $500 cancellation fee. The retreat begins on August 1; no refunds will be provided on or after that date.

The schedule and times of sessions with Andrew will be announced during the retreat and may vary from day to day. Generally, however, you will engage in two or three sessions with Andrew each day, which consist of silent meditation, talks, and/or open dialogues with Andrew, or a combination of these. In part 1, there will be more sessions dedicated to meditation and this retreat will be largely in silence. In part 2, the periods between sessions are an opportunity for participants to pursue their own independent inquiry into the meaning and significance of Evolutionary Enlightenment, either through personal meditation and contemplation, or in the facilitated discussions that are a powerful transformative feature of this event.

The temperature at the Shambhala Mountain Center in August ranges from 40 degrees to 78 degrees F with an average of 62 degrees F. The climate is generally dry but be prepared for an occasional rainstorm. You will need layered clothing as the temperature changes quite dramatically over the course of a day. A hooded windbreaker, hat (for both sun and cold), gloves, rain gear, and warm layers are recommended. Because of the abundant sunlight and high elevation, we suggest taking precautions against dehydration, altitude sickness, and ultraviolet rays. Please drink more water than you think you need and prepare for changeable weather. You may want to consult your physician and ask about Diamox, which is a prescription medication specific for altitude sickness as well as over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol, and Aspirin. These medications are recommended by the Shambhala emergency staff.

Here is a list of items that you should bring:

Flashlight • sunscreen • lip balm • day pack for toiletries • Battery-powered alarm clock • umbrella • layered clothing • Rain coat • Slippers or thick socks • water bottle • sturdy comfortable walking shoes • light fleece blanket

For those in tents and rustic dorms, please bring your own towels and warm bedding. We recommend a warm sleeping bag, pillow, and a sheet. The tents have wooden bed frames with foam mattresses. We also suggest a bed roll, such as a Thermarest for more comfort and they are easy to pack.

There is no cell phone access and limited internet availability. There are public phones available and you can purchase calling cards.

Andrew's books, audios, and videos, as well as information on future events, will be available at the end of both retreats. It will also be possible to purchase MP3 recordings of all of the sessions.

Click for travel directions to the Shambhala Mountain Center. For information about the shuttle service, please refer to the FAQ’s listed below.

If you are planning to arrive and stay in Denver before or after the retreat, here are a few hotels that are close to the airport and offer free shuttle service. Please be aware that there are no hotels located directly at the airport.

Denver Airport complete hotel listing web page

Courtyard Denver airport
Phone: (303) 371-0300

La Quinta Inn and Suites
Phone: 1-303-371-0888

Springhill Suites
Phone: 1-303-371-9400

Staybridge Suites
Phone: 1-800-931-4660

The Shambhala Mountain Center is offering shuttle service to and from the Denver airport for a discounted price specifically for this retreat. Please register for this service below. If you have already put in your request through the Shambhala web site travel page, please use this link to pay and secure your reservation.

Here are some quick FAQs:

1. Will there be a shuttle to the Shambhala Mountain Center from the Denver airport on August 1 and August 12 as well as a return shuttle on August 12 and 23?

Yes, there will be buses scheduled to depart from the Denver airport on both August 1 and August 12. Please be sure to book your arrival time into the Denver airport prior to 1:00pm mountain time (2 hours earlier than East Coast time), in order to take advantage of the last shuttle, which is scheduled for 3:00pm. If you are interested in booking transport, use this link to register.If you have already put in your request through the Shambhala web site travel page, please use this link to pay and secure your reservation: http://www.shambhalamountain.org/programs/1430/version:2

YOU MUST BOOK YOUR TRANSPORT RIGHT AWAY. (Private cars are available but please be aware that they are also expensive)
Shambhala must receive your reservation and flight information no later than July 12th. If they receive your request after July 12th, they will do their best to accommodate you but cannot guarantee service.

You will be notified about the specific departure times via email from the Shambhala Center.. For August 12 departures, the shuttle is tentatively scheduled to leave Shambhala at 11:00am. If you need to depart earlier, arrangements can be made. For August 23 departures, there are shuttles scheduled to leave Shambhala at 3:00pm. If your flight is scheduled to leave Denver earlier than 7:30pm, please indicate this on the registration form and Shambhala will accommodate you.

Please note that if your arrival or departure dates and times are different from what we are offering for the group, the travel costs will be different. To book your transport, please contact the Shambhala Travel coordinator directly: Travel@shambhalamountain.org

2. Can I arrive at the Shambhala Center prior to August 1?

Because the Shambhala Center has another event booked through the morning of August 1, there is no housing available prior to the retreat. Registration for the retreat will begin on August 1 at 2:30pm through 7pm.

3. If I plan to attend only part 2, can I arrive prior to August 12?

Since the first part of the retreat will still be in session, Shambhala will not have housing for part participants until August 12. Registration time will start at 2:30pm.

4. Can I stay on at Shambhala Center the night of Monday, August 23, after the retreat has ended, due to my travel plans?

Yes, if you want to stay an extra night after the retreat has ended, you can contact Shambhala directly to book this extra night. You will also need to arrange your return travel to Denver with them.

5. During the retreat will I be able to sit on a chair?

Yes, chairs will be available in the teaching hall as well as rectangular zafus. These zafus are firm and comfortable but we also suggest that if you are used to sitting on a Zen style zafu (round), you might want to consider bringing your own.

6. Will there be laundry service provided at the Shambhala Mountain Center?

Due to water shortages, there will be no personal laundry facilities for use on the premises. An external service will be provided in the middle of each retreat. For example, laundry service will be offered on August 9 & 10 and again on August 16 & 17. There is a 24 hour turn around time and the cost is estimated to be $20 - $25 per bag. The orders will be taken at the time of retreat registration. Fresh linens and towels will be provided during both retreats for all the lodges. Please NOTE, for the cabin tents and seasonal dorms, you will need to provide your own bedding and towels.

7. What should I bring if I am staying in a tent?

The Shambhala Center provides spacious canvas tents set on wooden platforms. They also provide a wooden double sized bed frame with a thick foam mattress. We suggest that you consider bringing a Thermarest for extra sleeping support along with a sleeping bag, pillow, and bed sheet. It is a simple set up. Since the evening temperatures during mid August can drop to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, be sure that your sleeping bag will provide adequate warmth. You may want to consider bringing a light fleece blanket as a supplement.

8. Will internet be available? Can I call family/friends/work?

As the retreat is very focused, internet and phone use is not encouraged. Shambhala is in a very remote area in the Rocky Mountains and there is limited phone reception and internet access. In the case of an emergency, where you need to be contacted, Shambhala Center can be reached at 970-881-2184. If there is a call that comes in for you after work hours, there is a voice mail system that picks up messages on extension #334. This extension is checked regularly until 10:30pm daily. Information will be passed on to you directly. If you have questions or concerns about this ahead of time, please send an email to intensives@enlightennext.org.

9. Can I bring my children and will there be facilities for child care?

The Shambhala Center will not have their Shotoku center for children in operation at that time so there won't be childcare services provided. However, if you want to bring your family with a caregiver or spouse available to take care of your children while you are on retreat, we recommend renting a house/cabin off site. There are local lakes in Red Feather and plenty of outdoor activities to take advantage of. There are no houses close to Shambhala itself, the closest being 20-30 minutes driving distance one way, which requires a car rental as well. If you are interested in renting a house, call Barbara at Lone Pine Realty, 970-881-2500. The rentals are going fast and we suggest booking as soon as possible if you'd like to pursue this option. If you have any questions send an email directly to intensives@enlightennext.org.

10. I have heard mountain weather can be changeable, what clothes should I bring and how can I prevent altitude sickness?,/p>

For a detailed suggested list of clothing and the basic supplies you will need for the retreat, please refer to the practical details page. There is also a store on site where you can purchase everyday toiletries, flashlights, batteries and light snacks etc. The link will also provide suggestions on how to prevent altitude sickness.

11. Will there be a common refrigerator to store personal food items, or medicines?

There is one common refrigerator in the Rigden lodge, but as space is very limited, we ask that only necessary food items and medicines be stored there.

12. Can I bring my RV and set it up on the edge of the campground?

Shambhala does not have set up for RV options. The only other alternative is to have your RV off site at another campground that is a drive time of 30 minutes one way. If you are interested, send an email to intensives@enlightennext.org.

13. Is there electricity in the tents, seasonal dorms, and rustic doubles?

The only accommodation that doesn't have electricity are the tents.

14. How can I offset my travel to Colorado?

At EnlightenNext, we are moving towards making our activities carbon neutral, and we have already taken significant steps towards this through more virtual workshops, our choice of venues for events, and greater efficiency in our operations. We encourage you to take this journey with us and purchase carbon offsets for your travel to the Being and Becoming retreat.

If you are flying, offsets may be available through your airline on their website. You can also purchase offsets separately for your flights or vehicle travel. Typical costs may be:

• 20 to 50 pounds or Euros for a return flight from Europe
• $100 to 200AUD for a return flight from Australia
• $10 to 20USD for a return flight inside the US

Each of the companies below is suitable, no matter where you are traveling from, and each has a 'travel calculator' to ensure this is a simple, 10-minute transaction:

• Native Energy Inc has worked with EnlightenNext in the past, at times offsetting the footprint of our magazine: www.nativeenergy.com
• Climate Friendly is Australia's No. 1 rated offset company: https://climatefriendly.com/
• Climate Care is used by leading organizations in the UK: http://www.jpmorganclimatecare.com/

CO2balance is another top-rated UK-based offset provider: http://www.co2balance.uk.com