Dathün (Tibetan for "month session") is a one-month group meditation retreat, which is one of the most important training programs in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. The program is open to anyone and is a very powerful introduction to and deepening of mindfulness-awareness meditation. The core daily practice of a dathün consists of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation with time for talks, study, and a short work period.

Some dathüns have a theme associated with them that allows one to connect mindfulness and awareness practice to other forms or activities. These activities may be seen as enriching or extending the basic mindfulness/awareness practice, not substituting for it or taking away from it. Within the context of the dathün practice, the theme of contemplative arts allows for an exploration of how working intensely with the mind/body unity can become the ground of discovering elegance and leading a more artful life.

This particular dathün is not meant solely for practicing or aspiring artists, nor is it meant to substitute for parts of the formal Shambhala Art program, which is taught separately by teachers authorized by that program. Exercises and activities involving contemplative arts will be incorporated into the schedule on a limited basis to explore how meditation practice can be extended into our daily lives, whether we are making a cup of tea, having a conversation, painting on canvas, or writing a poem or novel. Whether or not we are practicing artists, when we wake up, we can all lead our life as a work of art. Dathün provides a powerful way of realizing and manifesting this.

Silence and functional speech are observed. Meals are served oryoki-style, from the Zen monastic tradition. Each participant will regularly receive individual meditation instruction.

Participants may attend at minimum one week of the Dathün (called a weekthün). If you have not previously attended a Dathün or Weekthün, you must attend the first or second week of Dathün.

This Dathün fulfills the practice requirement for the Shambhala Buddhist path.

Shrine room floor accommodations are included in the Dathün price.

• Register for Week 1 by clicking here.
• Register for Week 2 by clicking here.
• If you have previously attended a Dathün or Weekthün, you may attend Week 3. Register for Week 3 by clicking here

The Dathün will begin the evening of Tuesday, July 13th, with an orientation at 7:30pm. The Dathün will end the evening of Monday, August 9th. Tuesday, August 10th, is the departure day for those doing the full Dathün.

If you have questions about program content or schedule, please contact Lauren Sandord at lsanford@karmecholing.org.

Karmê Chöling offers 2 price options for this program.
Please choose the option that works best for you.

Full Program Fee: $1992

Discounted Program Fee: $1320

Please Note:
Price includes basic accommodations and meals.

It is traditional for students to offer a monetary gift to the teacher in appreciation for receiving the teachings, and in recognition of the years of training and understanding the teacher has cultivated. There will be an opportunity to offer a teaching gift at the program.

Scholarship and Financial Aid resources are available to make dharma accessible to people in all circumstances. We offer different ways for overcoming financial obstacles here.