Freedom from Suffering Weekend Retreat: Practical Self-Love, Mindfulness Meditation & Qigong for Clarity, Healing and Transformation

August 14th - 16th, 2026

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Arrival: August 14th, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Departure: August 16th, 5:30 PM

Tuition:
$444 + 2 nights lodging
Combined at checkout

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

Tuition:
$444 + 2 nights lodging
Combined at checkout

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

About the Retreat

Join international bestselling author and wisdom teacher Blake D. Bauer in the Colorado mountains for a profoundly transformative weekend where Blake‘s commitment to you is: after this retreat you can never again claim that you do not know exactly how to love yourself, how to heal, how to train your mind, how to trust yourself, or how to change your life. You will discover why anxiety, overwhelm, depression, self-doubt, addiction, illness, and relationship problems are logical cries from your body, soul, and subconscious mind asking you to love, accept, value, forgive, and be true to yourself now, in every situation.

Blake will teach you the seven optimal daily habits that represent exactly how to value yourself, how to heal trauma stored in your body, how to live in alignment with your true self, how to reshape your life, and how to create healthy relationships with the people you care about most. From the moment we wake until the moment we sleep, we’re either hurting ourselves with our thoughts and habits, or we’re caring for ourselves. Each of us must master these habits in order to heal, feel worthy, be well, and find lasting peace.

In a culture that encourages high levels of illness-causing stress, you need to understand exactly how to slow down, find your center, regulate your nervous system, and care for your mental, emotional, and physical health in very practical ways. This retreat will provide the techniques and instruction you need to do this for yourself at home, as well as a safe environment to address your fears, heal old wounds, transform negative thinking, and find clarity on your next steps personally or professionally. 

Set in idyllic natural surroundings, you’ll find both the stillness needed to hear your deeper self, as well as authentic connection and community, all while you shift your habits of self-sabotage, self-rejection, and self-betrayal. You’ll learn two of the most effective forms of self-healing available— mindfulness meditation to train your mind and gentle qigong exercises— both of which will help unlock the stuck energy, blood, and emotion that is keeping you unhappy, sick, or trapped.

Like it has for thousands of people to date, this healing weekend retreat will support you to stop hurting yourself, to stop allowing yourself to be hurt, to trust yourself, and to strengthen your vital life force energy so you can take your next steps with clarity, worthiness, and self-respect.

What you will learn

  • Identify the root causes of depression, anxiety, insecurity and physical illness
  • Transform self-doubt into strong self-esteem, self-worth and self-trust
  • Learn non-violent and mindful communication techniques
  • Practice mindfulness meditation to train your mind and live more fully in the present
  • Overcome guilt, shame, and self-rejection, and stop making yourself wrong
  • Address past wounds and trauma that is stored in your body
  • Reconnect with parts of your soul or true self that have dissociated or fragmented
  • Stop pretending to be happy or someone you are not
  • Unlock stuck energy, blood and subconscious emotion that is making you sick, unhappy or frustrated
  • Forgive yourself and others
  • Remain present and solution-minded in the face of fear and uncertainty
  • Transform limiting beliefs and patterns of self-harm
  • Clarify your direction forward
  • Understand your life’s purpose
  • Deepen into the source of peace and unconditional love within
  • Empower yourself with Qigong self-healing exercises and meditation
  • Revitalize your physical body, life force, and overall health

Why Did Past Participants Love this
Retreat?

“I made the decision to see Blake after I saw the changes he had made to a friend’s life. I had been in “funks” before but this time I just couldn’t get myself out of it and didn’t know what to do. Blake changed my life. I would recommend Blake and his work to anyone who is questioning their place in this world, their purpose in life. If you’ve lost the ability to laugh every day, if you feel like happiness evades you, if you’re struggling to let go of the past for whatever reason – make contact.” Narelle H.

“I have been to many different therapists over a long period, but always felt like there was something missing in their teachings. When I started seeing Blake, he began teaching me about how to love myself unconditionally (all of me, no judgment only acceptance, love, compassion and forgiveness for myself) and it reached so deeply into my soul, and it made sense. If you are looking for guidance or seeking a teacher, I would strongly recommend that you try Blake. Thank you so much Blake for reminding me of who I am and how to love and forgive myself.” Gemma V.

“Blake reminds me it is ok to love myself, in fact it is more than ok, it changes everything, and I deserve that. If you are looking for any level of guidance Blake will take you to places you were only dreaming of in a very short period of time. Thank you Blake for all that you have done.” Natalie A.

Retreat Faculty

Blake D. Bauer

Blake D. Bauer is the author of the international bestselling book You Were Not Born To Suffer. He has helped thousands of people around the world who could not find lasting solutions from conventional medicine, psychiatry, or coaching. Blake has an extensive background in psychology, neuroscience, alternative medicine, nutrition, traditional healing, mindfulness meditation, qi gong, [...]

Lodging

We have several accommodations to choose from during checkout.
All options include our healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.

Off Land
Participants who wish to commute from home or arrange their own accommodations off-campus (for example, a bed and breakfast, camping nearby)  pay tuition, plus $54/night for meals (3 meals per day) and use of our facilities.

Car Camping
We have 5 primitive parking spots in the Rigden parking lot, for simply parking and sleeping. This includes food and access our bathhouses in Rigden Lodge
Note: We don’t have any water or electric hook ups for RV’s.

Single and Double Tents

Located in campgrounds throughout the property, these 12′ x 14′ tents have two twin beds, two bookcases and a hanging clothes rack.* Each campground offers a shared bathhouse. Summer platform tents are available from late May through early September. A tent can be rented as a single (without a roommate) or a double (with a roommate).

Some of our campgrounds were impacted by a recent wildfire and the affects may still be visible this summer, however, they are safe to use.

Bedding is not provided. Please bring your own twin sheets, blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow and towels.

Dormitories
Rooms with beds for up to 7-8 people. Gender-segregated with men in their own dorm and women in another. The dorms use a shared bathroom down the hall, which is also equipped with shower stalls.

Monk Rooms
A cost-effective option for participants looking for indoor, solitary lodging, but who don’t mind using a shared bathroom or are looking for a more affordable retreat solution. These rooms are in the same hall as the Ridgen Dormitories, but offer more privacy than the dorms. In addition to a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, the monk rooms also have a large window and a desk and desk chair for added comfort.

Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat where you want both your own space and your own bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4s bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower, no bathtub) attached to each room.

Junior Suite
Our Lodge Junior Suites include a queen-size bed topped by a cozy comforter, a desk, dresser, closet and private bath with bathtub, plus a sitting area.

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