Facilities...

The Main Lodge...
THE CASA MANDALA

The main building of the Center is the original building designed and constructed by Tish Hewitt. This began as a vision of her personal retreat for her own healing, peace of mind and spiritual renewal.  (See Our Beginnings for more of Tish’s story.)  As time went on, it became clear to the caretakers of the building and land that this was a special place and its purpose was to serve many people in the same spirit that Tish had created it for herself. 

THE CASA MANDALA is approximately 4800 square feet of spacious and comforting rooms with large windows welcoming nature’s splendor. It is decorated with a wide variety of heirloom furniture and art from around the world.

Its curving walls mirror the curving slopes of the Sierra Grande Mountain on which it is nestled. Entering the building is a journey in itself and the structure was considered “a Mandala” manifested on the land. (See The Mandala for more information.) Tish knew that the mandala, the circle, was a symbol found everywhere in creation and it spoke to life, wholeness and growth. 

Other features include

• a dining area and prep kitchen
• a 30 foot tower rising above our circular sanctuary with stone laid floor and sky window
• a spiral staircase ascending guests to a contemplation loft with a stunning view
• a large outdoor deck overlooking the Capulin Volcano
• a stone water fountain
• a library
• a gift shop
• our main office
• three bathrooms
• areas for group meetings and workshops
• enclosed deck area with grills
• parking lot near the center

THE WOLF LODGE

This straw bale structure, completed in 1997, was added when it became clear  this “Center”  was calling to the world and welcoming travelers, modern pilgrims, and seekers to its doors.

The Wolf Lodge is approximately 3200 square feet and includes 8 guest rooms (double occupancy) and a large common area for meetings, relaxation and fellowship. Each room has its own private bath and one bathroom is especially designed for handicapped accessibility. This lodge also includes a kitchenette for guests, particularly people on private individual retreat to use for food preparation. There is a covered broad deck looking up to the peak of Sierra Grande and across the range to Capulin National Monument. Full capacity holds 16 people. 

THE DEER LODGE

Next to the Casa Mandala is a smaller quieter structure that houses four double occupancy rooms and shared baths. It is approximately 1400 square feet with foyers but does not have a common area or kitchenette.

The rooms serve as suites with a bath area between them. The bath area is divided allowing for the separate use of showers and toilet/sink areas. Full capacity holds 8 people.

THE WINDOWS

One feature of The Mandala Center that stands out is the windows. Guests love the views and notice the careful attention that was given to create a space, that although indoors, honors nature’s beauty and welcomes the healing power of nature to enter every room of the structure.

There are two very special windows in the Casa Mandala. They both are skylight mandalas and they are found on the apex of each tower.

The artist and master craftsman who was commissioned to create the windows was Jim Standard. Jim stated,
"The design concept for these windows prompted discussions and studies of symbolic icons, Pythagorean philosophy, and spiritual aspects of mandalas. The language of the art pieces was viewed as equally important as the form itself.”

One window is 44 inches in diameter, the other 54 inches wide. Handmade beveled glass and clear European mouth-blown glass was used to fabricate the design with the copper foil method of construction. Special inverted mirror-polished cones assist in creating prismatic rainbow reflections on the walls within.

The images in one of the windows contain a repeating sunflower motif representing the unfolding to the light.  Its center is divided into three “wings” indicating the three-fold manifestation of body, mind, and spirit. The window in the larger tower is titled Blazing Hope for the Future of Mankind. It sits at the convergence of ancient wooden beams.  This window features multiple circles divided into the “yin-yang” of balanced masculine and feminine wholeness. These are contained within multiple concentric circles, which also incorporate feathers of Native American spiritual imagery, and a repeating lotus motif. The center of this Mandala is also divided into the three unified aspects of body, mind, and spirit – and the many other spiritual systems the number three has come to represent. 

THE LABYRINTH

In 2002 a labyrinth was placed on the land not far from the Casa Mandala. The labyrinth is a winding pathway, created in circuits, leading to a center. It is considered to be a spiritual tool that helps us to “center” ourselves. The labyrinth image has been in use in cultures around the world for thousands of years and is believed to represent a pilgrimage of sacred meaning. Our labyrinth is imaged after the Chartres design in the Chartres Cathedral in France, which was built around the year 1200AD. The center of our labyrinth does not contain the “petal” design. We offer this space for your use for prayer, meditation and inspiration. You can also view our Labyrinth on the Labyrinth Locator at www.labyrinthsociety.org.

CHAPEL OF SAN LORENZO

The historic outdoor Chapel of San Lorenzo, hidden among the Junipers on the property has been a place of pilgrimage for local gatherers over the years. The shrine was established more than 60 years ago by Jake Lujan and his wife Dolores in honor of his father Lorenzo Lujan and San Lorenzo. Jake was one of seven sons and his father passed away in 1937. Mass was held at the outdoor shrine as a tradition. The Chapel is in need of restoration (whenever the know-how and funds become available) but nonetheless provides an intriguing and soulful destination for quiet reflection.