Human Flourishing and AI: Contemplative Practice, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence

November 9th - 15th, 2026

Register Now

Arrival: Monday, November 9th, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Departure: Sunday, November 15th, 12:30 PM

Tuition:
Lodging and tuition is bundled. Select lodging to see retreat price.

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

Tuition:

Lodging and tuition is bundled. Select lodging to see retreat price.

Meals & drinks included
Inc. V, VG, GF

Add extra nights at 50% off

About the Retreat

Nestled in a beautiful Rocky Mountain valley, this retreat offers a container for Buddhism and AI to co-exist. We bring together traditional meditation practices, neuroscience, contemplation, collective intelligence, nature immersion, and sensorial experiences: a creative exploration of human flourishing through intellect, heart, and embodiment.

This retreat falls somewhere between a vipassana retreat and a jhana retreat and takes a step out in a new direction. We will work with silence as a practice and spend the majority of the time in meditations, immersed in the pristine and wild Rocky Mountains, within a supportive and well-held retreat container.

As we see a great value in dialogue, collective intelligence, and human connection, this isn’t a strictly silent retreat. One to one coaching, small group discussions, guided nature walks, and fire circles will be woven throughout, with a harmonious balance of silence and expression, inward practice and outward connection.

Many of our practices cultivate joy, authentic lust for life, unlock latent cognitive capacities, and sooth stressed nervous systems. At the same time, this is also not a bliss-chasing experience that prioritises feeling good over genuine insight. It’s a middle way that brings together the rigour of scientific method with time-tested ancient contemplative traditions and the intelligence of nature- each in their full integrity.

What to Expect

This is a retreat designed specifically for the wellbeing of those working in and with AI and tech- whether as developers, business professionals, researchers, policy makers, consultants, thought leaders, educators, etc.

  • Experience the restorative power of silence and digital detox in a supportive natural environment. Many miles from the noise and busyness of civilisation, surrounded by mountains and bird song, stargaze unobstructed night skies, breathe the fresh mountain air, or drink tea in the morning sun.
  • One to one coaching with qualified professional coaches to help you get the most out of the retreat, get to know the practices and techniques that work best for you, and integrate the benefits of the retreat into your daily life and work. 1-2 sessions will be offered during the retreat, as well as one preparation session before and one integration sessions afterwards to tailor the practices and teachings to you.
  • Begin or deepen your meditation practice with expert facilitators who have thousands of hours of personal practice and teaching experience. This is primarily a meditation retreat, so you can expect 6-8 hours of practices each day including shamatha, vipassana, compassion, walking meditations, and optional yoga and movement practices.
  • Dharma teachings and small discussion groups on topics at the intersection of Buddhist philosophy, contemplative practice, AI, neuroscience, and human flourishing science.
  • Learn and develop the Flourishing Intelligences needed to navigate both the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world.

Why Attend?

  • Recalibrate your your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and clarity of purpose
  • Cultivate clarity and stability of mind
  • Gain new insights on AI/ human flourishing alignment
  • Strengthen cognitive capacities including attention, focus, emotional and social intelligence
  • Work 1:1 with coaches to find your unique method and practices for human flourishing and leave with customised daily practices you can sustain at home
  • Experience the power of nature, silence, and community as sources of renewal
  • Rebalance your nervous system and cognitive abilities with a digital detox and break from decision making, and “doing”
  • Healthier gut and microbiome

Listen to a podcast episode with Sophie here: Why the Most Powerful Leader in the Room is Also the Most Present

Retreat Faculty

Sophie Maclaren

Sophie Maclaren is a meditation instructor, Buddhist teacher, leadership consultant, and executive coach specialising in the science of human flourishing. She draws on a multi-disciplinary approach combining insights from neuroscience, leadership studies, psychology, and wisdom traditions to enable leaders to perform at their best and flourish in both their personal and professional lives. Since 2012 [...]

Lodging

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

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.

Private: Foundations of MeditationSilent Meditation Intensive: The Cradle of Loving-Kindness