Diamond in the Rough: Wild Nature and the Diamond Approach
May 23rd, 2026 - May 30th, 2026 | Southwest Colorado | Marlena deCarion, Ken Crocker
Direct and immediate contact with the wilder natural world is an ancient and profound doorway to inner awakening. It naturally invites an attitude of awareness, curiosity, belonging, and awe, helping us enter this doorway more fully. This retreat is an opportunity to step outside your familiar life, find nourishment and support in the embrace of wild nature, and discover healing, renewal, guidance, and connection. Here, nature provides a welcoming, accessible, and powerful way home.
Our basecamp is a short walk in, with your gear shuttled by vehicle. From there, you’ll find easy access to solitude in nearby meadows, forests, and a high, open mesa with outrageous views of mountain peaks and endless plateaus. Teachings from the Diamond Approach and the School of Lost Borders offer new reflections and contemplations. Deep time in nature is the living heart of the retreat.
For years, copying other people, I tried to know myself.
From within, I couldn’t decide what to do.
Unable to see, I heard my name being called.
Then I walked outside. – Rumi
Program Overview:
THE FOUNDATIONS
This retreat draws together two powerful paths. The School of Lost Borders’ teachings and practices ground our work in immersion in the natural world, ceremonial ways of relating to the land and ourselves, and a four-fold map of nature, including human nature – body, heart, mind, and spirit. Our teachings and practices offer an inclusive, nonjudgmental intimacy with yourself and your life’s journey.
The Diamond Approach® brings clarity, depth, and richness to the lessons of wild nature. Its practice of open-ended inquiry and its understanding of the terrain of consciousness leads to a more thorough realization of our inner truths while providing us pathways through obstacles. Integrating these paths offers a deeply transformative journey to connecting with our authentic presence and being at home with ourselves.
THE RETREAT
Our days are built around solo time in nature with brief teachings and inquiries. This gives daily opportunities to expand your experience through the presence of wild nature. In the evenings, we share the unfolding stories. One day is devoted to a 24-hour solo and opportunities for deeper contact with your natural presence in, and as, nature. In our experience, a genuine sense of community forms organically on these trips.
Our basecamp will be at Windhorse Village (founded by Earthville Institute) near Mancos, Colorado, affording us solitude, variety, expanse, and beauty within easy walking distance of our basecamp. It is about 1 hour from Durango, CO, and the DRO airport. From basecamp, you can choose how far to walk on your solos. A gear list and other details for preparation will be sent prior to the trip. A deposit of $300 will hold your space on this retreat.
This retreat is appropriate for those who are new to the Diamond Approach and camping as well as those who have extensive experience with either of them. Previous wilderness experience is not necessary.
There is no possible way to express the many virtues of staying in remote, solitary places. In wild places where no one lives are the conditions conducive to realization. Therefore, heir of the Victorious Ones, go to a wild place and practice!
—Shabkar (1781-1851)
Program Questions Contact: For more info, contact Marlena at [email protected]
Submit Waitlist form
This program is full; however, you may add your name to the Waitlist by clicking the Waitlist button below.
Submit enrollment form
Please fill out and submit the enrollment form and then pay the program deposit below. Before you pay the deposit, please read deposit section below, all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. After your enrollment form is complete, please submit all health and liability forms.
Pay program deposit
Deposits: This deposit signifies your commitment to the program and is deducted from the tuition balance. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. They cover the work of the specific course you signed up for, including all communication involved as well as the fee that guides pay to the school administration for the course accounting.
Additional Deposit: Some programs require a second deposit to help us affirm commitments. Last minute cancellations make it hard to fill openings and incur a loss of income to the School and the guides.
Tuition Balance: Balance of tuition can be paid before or upon arrival. Simply deduct any deposits made from the amount you’ve chosen on the sliding scale.
Additional course details & Materials
This retreat is appropriate for those who are new to the Diamond Approach and wilderness camping as well as those who have extensive experience with either. Previous wilderness experience is not necessary. Our basecamp will be Windhorse Village in the Four Corners area of southwest Colorado, a place of pinyon, sage, and meadow, a running stream, and awe-inspiring views. This basecamp affords us solitude, expanse, and beauty. It is about 1 hour from Durango. We will be able to drive to our basecamp, and you can choose how far to walk on your solos; stay near or walk far as you are called. ADDITIONAL FEES: $110 Camping Fee will be collected at the time of the program.
You will be responsible for bringing your own food and equipment, though we can provide some gear if needed. We ask everyone to come prepared to live self-sufficiently. You will need to bring shelter and clothing suitable for a full range of inclement weather.
All participants must submit the required health questionnaire and liability form.
If you have questions about the enrollment process contact us at [email protected] or call 760-938-3333.
There is no required reading for this program.
Southwest Colorado is the homeland of the Ancestral Puebloan peoples, including the Hopi and Zuni, as well as the Southern Ute and Mountain Ute Tribes and the Dine People (Navajo Nation). For generations they lived, hunted, and thrived on this abundant land before being displaced by white settlers and confined to reservations in southwest Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.
To learn more about our commitment to regenerative relationships please visit Cultural Relations.
