About Our Retreats

     


    Because of on-going construction we only have room for 5 retreatants in any of our advertised retreats at this time.

    All retreats at Dzogchen Meditation Center engage the view and practice of the Nyingma and Kagyu Schools of Tibetan Buddhism.  We do not engage in or encourage the use of online retreats.  Retreats begin on Friday at 7:00 pm and end on Sunday at 2:00 pm.  Participants are invited to arrive by 5 pm for orientation and dinner.  They may also stay later than the official close of the retreat.  Participants are not allowed to arrive later than 7 pm on Friday or leave before the official end of the retreat.

    Additionally we require that all prospective participants not use cannabis.  Trungpa Rinpoche was very clear in his instructions that cannabis is a substance that blocks the user's ability to synchronize body and mind which is a fundamental component of our practice.  Cannabis use is not recommended.
       

     We follow the main practice guidelines and oral instructions of the Vidyadhara Trungpa Rinpoche and Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin.  In particular, we emphasize the practice of Shamatha/Vipashyana at all stages of the practitioner's path and engage the tantric practices of the Kagyu and Nyingma Lineages. We offer retreats which are designed to help practitioners complete the tantric path of the Karma Kamstang -- the Kagyu Ngondro, Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara Sadhanas which were the main tantric practices bestowed on the Vajrahatu sangha by Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin.

    Dzogchen Meditation Center is a small, privately owned and operated retreat center not connected with any religious organization.  All retreats are closed to the general public.  Attendence at closed retreats is based on previous training and the ability of participants to follow retreat guidelines and protocals at DMC.  Dzogchen Meditation Center reserves the right to deny training opportunities to anyone who cannot follow these retreat guidelines.

     

    Meeting an Authentic Teacher

    Taking notes

    Gaining information

    Evaluating the outer projection

    Is purchasing the Holy Dharma in the marketplace

     

    All gurus are your primordial guru

    They are all Padmasambhava

     

    If you left those teachings 

    Feeling naked and groundless 

    That was meeting your teacher. 

     

    When you sit you meet the same teacher. 

     

    That naked mind is prajna

    Being in a situation in which you discover it is called meditation practice 

     

    Practice again and again

    Recognize that nakedness

    Again and again

    It's not created

    Does not depend on words or ideas. 

     

    Wanting to possess it is

    The wrong end of the stick

     

    Feeling humiliated

    Is chasing memory

    To put clothes on it.

     

    There isn't anything more to do. 

    You met the authentic guru. 

     

    Now do it again and again.