Shamatha Retreat

Shamatha, or resting meditation, is the core of all our meditation practices. Through this practice we develop mindfulness and discover awareness, providing us with indispensable tools to progress along the path to awakening. Retreat affords us the opportunity to engage in this practice in a spacious yet intensive manner and explore it more deeply.

Registration closes at noon on June 26

This will be our first virtual retreat. Participants will connect through the Zoom app and practice in their personal spaces. There will be guided meditation each session as well as time to work with the practice on one’s own. We will cover several techniques of shamatha, ranging from practices using coarse supports to shamatha with no support. There will also be opportunities to engage in discussion about the practice.

The retreat will begin on Friday night. There will be one session from 6:00-7:30pm. The last session will be Sunday evening from 6:30-7:30pm. We will recite the Aspirations for Mahamudra at the end of each evening session.

If possible, limiting activities and interpersonal interactions for these two and a half days will prove beneficial, but this will be left to each participant to manage as best they can.

SCHEDULE for Sat/Sun
6:30-7:30am        Early Session
9:00-10:30am      Morning Session I
11:00-12:00pm    Morning Session II
2:00-3:30pm       Afternoon Session I  (Including Discussion)
4:00-5:00pm       Afternoon Session II
6:30-7:30pm       Evening Session

Dynamic Pricing
$180 –  for those able to give more and cover for those who have less
$120 – the general cost
$ 60  – for those of limited means
No one will be turned away

It is not necessary to read any books before or during the retreat, but if you are looking for possibilities, here is a sampling:

Traleg Rinpoche
Mind at Ease*
Ocean of Certainty 

Thrangu Rinpoche
*Essentials of Mahamudra 
*Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning
*Pointing Out the Dharmakaya 
*Crystal Clear  (a commentary on Dakpo Tashi Namgyal’s Clarifying the Natural State)
Shamatha and Vipashyana
*Vivid Awareness (wonderful but slightly different take from the above books)

* These titles may be available in the KCC bookstore. You can support KCC and arrange to pick them up by contacting Linda Grove or Lama Eric.