Meditation Retreats

Retreat practice is the life blood of the Buddhist tradition.
These are some of the possibilities for individual, group and teaching retreat

'Remembering My Heart' retreat:

This is a one day solitary retreat designed to be done at home. Most of the Steamboat sangha has done this retreat and are encouraged to do so as often as possible. There’s more - here

Working retreat:

For those of us who have busy scheduled, being able to join our practice with daily life is the key training along the path.  The guidelines for a ‘working retreat’ are designed to help us do just this.  Our very own Glenna has written an article for Tricycle Magazine, Your Life is Your Practice (Winter 2010 edition), that lays out the key points of such a retreat. Take a look - here

Solitary retreats:

Whenever possible, longer solitary retreats are highly recommended and are extremely helpful in deepening one's practice. These retreats can last for a weekend, a week, or more, depending on the level of your practice and time available. These can be done at home or in cabins designed for retreat. There are many excellent facilities available in the Colorado area.

Retreat centers in Colorado:

  • Dorje Dema Ling, Gardner, CO -beautiful retreat huts with an excellent support staff in southern Colorado (near Crestone) - Here

  • Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, Crestone - Under the guidance of H.E. Thrangu Rinpoche. This is a lovely place, food is provided and it’s inexpensive. There are also two English speaking Tibetan khenpos (scholars) in residence - Here

Intensive group retreat - Dathun:

Dathun is a month long group retreat designed by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This is one of the most powerful retreats that one can do, and is appropriate for new as well as more experienced practitioners. The emphasis of a dathun is on sitting meditation practice in a group context, but includes teaching and personal guidance related specifically to meditation practice. You can take part in just a week of the dathun if you wish. That is referred to as a 'weekthun'

Dathun's are offered at various times throughout the year at the following centers:

  • Shambhala Mountain Center - Red Feather Lakes, CO (2 hrs. away) - Here

  • Karmê Choling - Barnet, Vermont - Here

  • Dorje Denma Ling - Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia - Here

  • The Dharma Ocean Foundation - Crestone, CO - under the guidance of Reggie Ray - Here

Teaching retreats:

These are retreats led by lamas or senior western teachers. While the emphasis of these retreats is on the teachings, the daily schedule usually involves sessions of silent meditation practice. These retreats are held at dharma centers throughout the country and at large facilities designed to host spiritual retreats.

Major retreat centers (in addition to the ones listed above):

  • Gomde - Leggett, CA - under the guidance of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche - Here

  • Insight Meditation Society - Barre, MA - vispassana tradition- Here

  • Gampo Abbey - Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia - wonderful opportunity - Here

  • Spirit Rock - Woodacre, CA - From the vispassana tradition- Here

  • Omega Institute - Rhinebeck New York - Here

  • Garrison Institute - Garrison New York - Here

These are some of the most prominent teachers who travel and teach in the west.

  • The Ven. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche - eldest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche - Here

  • The Ven. Tsoknyi Rinpoche - third son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche - Here

  • The Ven. Mingyur Rinpoche - the youngest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche - Here

  • Ven. Pema Chodron - western Buddhist nun, founder of Gampo Abbey - Here

  • The Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche - the leading scholar of the Kagyu Lineage - Here

  • The Ven. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche -Preeminent teacher/film maker - Here

  • The Ven. Dzigar Kongtrül Rinpoche - resides in Crestone - Here

  • The Ven. Dzogchen Pönlop Rinpoche - Here

  • The Ven. Khandro Rinpoche - the leading female teacher in the Tibetan tradition - Here

  • The Ven. Ringu Tulku - Here