OUR FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT ANNA WOLFE

Anna shares the story of the Mandala Center during our 20th anniversary celebration.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

2017 marked the 20th anniversary of the Mandala Center. On August 26th we held an anniversary celebration and a re-dedication ceremony for the San Lorenzo Chapel. Many guest joined us for this special event. Afternoon music was provided by Westminster Winds. On Saturday evening we hosted hosted a BBQ dinner prepared by Mr. C's catering followed by music from The Outriders, a local western band.

Click on the link below to view pictures from our anniversary celebration. A special thanks to Linda Sherrill (lindasherrill.com), a professional photographer and our newest board member, for sharing these photographs. (All images in this gallery © Linda Sherrill.)

20th Anniversary Photo Gallery › › ›

OUR STAFF

The Mandala Center is served by co-directors Karen Brown and Tim Sexton.

OUR BOARD

The Mandala Center has a volunteer board of up to 9 members. The Mandala Board › › ›

OUR BEGINNINGS

The Mandala Center was born from a vision. In a lifetime of spiritual seeking, illness, and a thousand good deeds improving the lives of others, Tish Hewitt, then in her sixties in the mid 80’s, was still searching for the next assignment in life.

Tish Hewitt discovered the land that now is home to The Mandala Center after having a vision of two mountains that seemed very important to her. During a road trip she discovered her vision was real when she came upon the Sierra Grande and Capulin Volcano – the two mountains she was shown. Tish felt a calling to settle here and purchase land and the ranch, right between the two mountains, just happened to be for sale .

Tish Hewitt began construction of our buildings as a personal retreat home and she felt lead to include round walls and rooms. Tish asked her daughter, “Why am I making round walls?” Anna replied, “You are building your own Mandala of healing and wholeness.” Tish named the main building Casa Mandala.

Tish, who seemed to sense she would never live in the Casa Mandala, passed away before her retreat home was complete. After her passing, Anna, her daughter, decided to move across country to take care of the ranch and the land her mother loved. After much reflection, Anna felt called to turn Casa Mandala into The Mandala Center and open up this special place to the public as a retreat center for those who are in search of rest, renewal, healing, and deeper understanding of life’s journey. In 1996 The Mandala Center came into being.

If you would like to read more about the history of the Center we've created a flipbook for our online visitors. Please click here to learn more about the Center › › ›

 

OUR LOCATION

We are located in Des Moines, New Mexico. 35 miles east of Raton, on highway 87/64 just after mile marker 383 (going east) or 384 (going west). Our road sign is Mandala Road.

We are on the slopes of Sierra Grande Mountain with sweeping and expansive views of the desert plains and the volcanic mountains that abound here. The rural area and quiet environment lends itself to rest and contemplation. We are in the upper eastern corner of the state, close to both the Colorado and Texas borders.

The major airports in Albuquerque (NM) and Denver (CO) are an approximate 4 hour drive to the Center. Airports in Amarillo (TX), Colorado Springs (CO) and Santa Fe (NM) are approximately 3 hours drive. Those who fly into Colorado will find a very scenic drive down through the mountains at the Raton pass, with the Rocky Mountains in the rear view mirror. Whatever your airport destination the drive is a wonderful time of pilgrimage to unwind, center, and mentally prepare for your retreat experience.
Map and directions on MapQwest ›››

There are many nature areas to explore including the Capulin Volcano National Monument where you can hike down into the volcano, and Sugarite Canyon complete with a beautiful desert lake and abounding wildlife. At night the sky is clear and unending, perfect for stargazing. We welcome you to this land and all the secrets that it holds.