The Land

A Sacred Place

There are some people who believe in the “power of place” and those who work at and visit The Mandala Center often mention how they can feel the “sense of the sacred” here. 

Tish Hewitt, the visionary woman who bought the land and began to build the Casa Mandala as her own place of healing and wholeness, was called to “this land”. She saw the “two mountains” in a vision a year before she drove past them in her car and was willing to listen to something she could not fully explain. Father John Wilbur, the Center’s first director wrote, “This sacredly blessed place….” when referring to The Mandala Center over 12 years ago when the Casa Mandala was blessed by many spiritual leaders before it was open to the public.

The Mandala Center is remotely located approximately 2 ½ -3 hours from major airports, but the beautiful drive to the center allows visitors to “de-compress” and contemplate their journey here, much like a pilgrimage, to arrive with body and spirit ready to fully engage the land and enter retreat.

The wide open sky allows for expansive views of the surrounding volcanic lands as well as the uninterrupted gazing of stars and the Milky Way at night. The Mandala Center rests on the slopes of the Sierra Grande with lava rocks, Juniper and Sunflowers and looks over at the Capulin Volcano.  There is a sense of “space” for movement of body and spirit and yet the solid formations of earth offer a grounded and physical presence that brings comfort and balance.  

We invite you to journey to this enchanted and mystical land and discover what it holds for you.  

The Mandala Center is located in an area where
HISTORY and NATURE abound!!

If you choose to leave the Center to venture out for a hike or adventure these are some special places that await you.

Capulin Volcano National Monument about 12 miles from The Mandala Center offers spectacular views and a mile hike around the rim (or down into the center of the volcano itself!)

The Sierra Grande, an extinct shield volcano, upon which The Mandala Center was built, offers lots of room for exploring and hiking. (see our blog page on volcanos for more information)

The Town of Folsom, about 15 minutes away, has historic landmarks, the Folsom Museum and an amazing history.

It also offers Folsom Falls, a beautiful secluded oasis surrounded by lava formations and desert mesas.

Sugarite Canyon State Park, formed in 1985, is 6 miles from Raton, NM near the Colorado Border. This pristine land is heavily wooded and offers trails and climbing areas, small lakes, creeks, Ponderosa Pines and lots of wildlife. Its name, taken from a Comanche word, Chicorica, means “land of many birds.” The Coal Camp Interpretive trail can also be found here.

Raton, New Mexico, in its community guide claims to offer “Small Town Charm surrounded by Outdoor Adventure”. The town is about 35-40 minutes from The Mandala Center and it offers a Historic Downtown Walking Tour. It is the home of New Mexico’s first public school in 1884, the Santa Fe Railroad Depot, the Shuler Theater of 1915, and the Raton Museum. The Santa Fe Trail is nearby and the scenic views of the Raton Mountain pass into Colorado invoke awe.

Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes from The Mandala Center off route 25 south of Raton. It was established in 1965 as a feeding and resting area for migratory birds. GREAT FOR BIRD WATCHING. Over 350 acres of the Refuge are planted with wheat, corn, barley, and alfalfa to provide food for resident and migratory wildlife. Visitors may see bald and golden eagles, falcons, hawks, sandhill cranes, ducks, geese, white pelicans, burrowing owls, great horned owls, and more.

Cimarron Canyon State Park is a little bit of a drive towards Eagle’s Nest about 2 hours from The Mandala Center but it is part of the 33,000 acre Colin Neblett Wildlife area – the largest wildlife area in the state of New Mexico.

Clayton Lake State Park, an hour and 15 minutes away, offers excellent trout, catfish and bass fishing. Walk a half-mile to the lake's spillway and see the internationally significant dinosaur trackway, containing more than 500 footprints dating back more than 100 million years.

The historic Shuler Theater in downtown Raton, New Mexico, is a state landmark and remains the center for performing arts in northeastern New Mexico.

Raton Arts & Humanities Council...their mission is to encourage and strengthen the cultural life of the area, providing residents – whether trained or untrained in the arts – with opportunities for artistic participation, self-expression, education and enjoyment. Visit their Old Pass Gallery at 145 South First Street in Raton.

The Star-filled nights are AMAZING! With virtually no light pollution and nothing blocking your view from horizon to horizon, the sky seems to go on forever. Just standing outside at night offers a whole universe to explore. The Center has two telescopes for your pleasure.