Dathün: A Month of Meditation

with Acharya William McKeever and Shastri Shelley Heinz

January 8 - February 5, 2015

Dathün (Tibetan for "month session") is a month-long group meditation retreat for those who wish to establish or deepen their meditation practice. You will be introduced to Shambhala Meditation, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s new practice of connecting directly with basic goodness as the ground for meditation practice and everyday life. The basic practice of shamatha-vipashyana will be developed over the course of the dathun using the classic Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and the structure of the dathun will reflect the wisdom of the Four Dignities.

For beginning as well as advanced practitioners, this program will provide a powerful experience at any age or stage of life. Deepen your meditation practice, as well as fulfill group practice requirements for the Shambhala Buddhist path. Dathün consists of individual meditation instruction, guided meditation, contemplations, and dharma talks, which develop insight and open our hearts of compassion. Each day follows a traditional schedule, with periods of sitting and walking meditation, exercises, chants, and a short work session. Functional silence is observed for most of the retreat, and meals are served Shambhala Oryoki style. 

Participants are encouraged to attend the entire dathun. Those who are able to attend only one or two weekthüns are very welcome to do so, but please note that first-time participants must enter at the very beginning. Those who have attended dathün previously may enter either at the beginning or at the midway point. Any exceptions must receive permission from the director.

Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows will be offered in the later part of the dathün.
Shrine room floor accommodations are included in the dathün price for those taking the full program.

The following texts are required for the Winter Dathün:
An Introduction to Shambhala Culture
The Shambhala Practice of Dathün: A Month of Meditation

There is a materials fee of $41 to cover the costs of the books.  If you have one or both, please contact our Registrar at registration@karmecholing.org or call (802) 633-2384.
 

Pricing

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

Patron Price: $2235
This price covers 100% of Karmê Chöling's operational cost for the program and supports financial aid for other participants. By choosing to pay this price, you extend your generosity to Karmê Chöling and the other participants. Thanks to you, we can make more scholarships available and continue to enrich Karmê Chöling.

Base Price: $1530
This cost covers 80% of operating costs for the program reflecting Karmê Chöling's commitment to keeping programs affordable. We fundraise to cover the remaining program costs.

Please Note:
Price includes meals and basic accommodations on the shrine room floor.

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.

Online registration is not currently open.

Teachers