Sat, May 9 | 10am-4:30pm
Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon County Preserve Nature Center, Poway, CA
A focused mind is a peaceful mind.
What would it be like to be able to focus our mind on whatever we wish, and to effortlessly let go of disturbed and restless states of mind?
The quality of our life depends upon the quality of our mind. The quality of our mind depends upon our ability to develop and maintain an experience of inner peace, which in turn comes from training in meditation and mindfulness. We all have the ability to improve our focus by training in concentration. Discover the power of a focused mind! Everyone welcome. No experience necessary.
Includes the brief teachings, guided meditation, and Q&A. Lunch and snacks provided on the breaks.
Cost: $50
All course fees are used to run and develop the Center and spread Buddha’s precious teachings. Reduced rates are available by emailing [email protected] and no one is ever turned away.
General Information
Retreat Sessions
Session 1 | 10-11am
Session 2 | 11:30am-12:30pm
Session 3 | 2-3pm
Session 4 | 3:30-4:30pm
During the lunch break we will have an opportunity to walk around the preserve.
Retreat Teacher
Gen Kelsang Tsoglam, Resident Teacher Gen Tsoglam has been practicing and teaching Kadampa Buddhism for over 20 years. Her teachings are heartfelt, practical, and infused with warmth and humor, making Dharma deeply accessible and inspiring.
Retreat Location & Address
You will find us in the community room at Goodan Ranch Nature Center. The address to use with GPS is 16281 Sycamore Canyon Rd, Poway, CA 92064. Important driving instructions on how to enter the preserve are below.
Venue
Sycamore Canyon Preserve consists of 2,272 acres of coastal sage scrub and chaparral-covered hills, including the 325-acre Goodan Ranch, a mix of grassland, riparian, coastal sage, oak woodland and mixed chaparral. More than 10 miles of trails lead to grand vistas, abundant wildlife and interesting reminders of human use, centuries ago. The preserve includes the Goodan Ranch Nature Center, which was built next to the original ranch house that was burned during the 2003 Cedar Fire.
Driving Directions for Entering the Preserve
Once you turn on Sycamore Canyon Road, drive all the way to its end. You will see the Preserve's welcome sign (see pictures below). Continue through the open gate into the trailhead parking lot. Do not park here. The rangers will have opened the second gate for our event, giving us vehicle access to the multi-use dirt road. Once you drive through the second gate, continue driving straight for approximately 1.2 miles until you reach the Nature Center’s parking lot. Park here and head into the Nature Center. Please drive carefully and be on the lookout for hikers, dogs, e-bikers/mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Arrival Note: Aim to arrive between 9:15am and 10am since the rangers will close the gate shortly after the retreat starts. If you find yourself running late Saturday morning, call/text the Event Coordinators (info below). If the second gate is closed when you arrive, first call the rangers office (info below). If you cannot reach a ranger, call the Event Coordinators.
Important Contacts
Goodan Ranch Rangers Office
Tel: (858) 513-4737
Event Coordinator
Cell: (862) 268-2250
FAQ
Arrival time: Between 3:30pm and 4pm on Friday. If you are arriving late, please be onsite by 9pm.
Departure time: 12pm on Sunday.
Parking is limited and we are encouraged to carpool.
In order to ensure safe emergency exit on Camp Steven roads, all cars must be parked in the main parking area by the office or at the lower parking lot, located on the left when driving back down the driveway. Guests may drive to their lodge to unload luggage, but please return cars to the parking lot when finished. There are signs on the road that will direct guests to the various lodges. Please drive at the posted speed limit, 5mph at all times, as pedestrians are often hidden in the curves of the roads.
Mealtimes are at 8 am, noon, and 5:30 pm.
Vegetarian family-style meals that include fresh produce, scratch-baked breads and desserts, camp-raised eggs (when available), organic dairy products, and seasonal garden herbs and veggies. Alternatives are available for vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, and allergy-affected guests. Please indicate your dietary needs at the time of registration. If you have severe allergies, please also contact [email protected].
The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so come prepared for a range of temperatures, in both sunshine and rain, with a chance of snow between November and April. We recommend checking the weather beforehand, as temperatures in the mountains are often different than in lower elevations. In addition to appropriate clothing and shoes, we recommend bringing a refillable water bottle and flashlight. If you are staying in a dorm room, you will need to bring your own pillow, towel, and either twin sheets and blankets or a sleeping bag.
The lodges are heated and the bathrooms are located inside the buildings. Please do not bring pets, illegal drugs, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, weapons or any potentially dangerous equipment.
Submit your cancellation request to [email protected] on or before April 1st to receive a full refund. Receive a 40% refund if cancelled by April 10th. No refund after April 10th.