Month-Long Meditation Retreat

We invite you to dathun – a month of meditation practice at Karme Choling in upstate Vermont. Meditation retreats are profound and transformative experiences – allowing one to discover the basic sanity of oneself and one’s world. 

During this program, the practice of mindfulness will include activities in daily life, as well as practice on the meditation cushion. Every aspect of the day becomes part of a mindful discipline of rediscovering now and opening your heart and mind to the moment.

The dathun will be led by Elaine Yuen, a senior teacher and Upadhyaya in the Shambhala tradition. She will be supported by a team of experienced meditation instructors. Regular dharma talks, individual meetings, and experiential exercises will be included in the retreat.

• 7 - day Retreat: Dec. 29 - Jan. 4th
• 2 - week Retreat: Dec. 29 - Jan. 11
• 1 - Month Retreat: Dec. 29 - Jan. 25

At Karme Choling, we emphasize the importance of cultivating self-compassion and profound acceptance. Participants often find themselves experiencing a newfound sense of spaciousness and self-love, as echoed by one of our past attendees:

Early on, within the first few days of Karmê Chöling’s Winter Dathün, I recognized I had never given myself this much space ... I remember taking a walk during the first week and thinking this was the greatest gift I’ve ever given to myself. Within that same recognition I realized I don’t think I’ve ever been that kind or loving to myself before. I asked myself if I even knew what it means to love myself...

Karmê Chöling Staff

Read Making Friends With Myself at the Winter Dathün

• Sitting Meditation: We will work with basic sitting meditation or shamatha practice. Shamatha ("peaceful abiding") allows us to experience the present moment with a light and intimate touch.
• Walking Meditation: Mindful walking practices are incorporated into the daily schedule, cultivating a sense of presence while in motion.
• Individual Meditation Instruction: Each person receives guidance and support from an experienced Meditation Instructor. Your individual questions about your own practice can be answered during these meetings.
• Silence and functional speech is generally observed during certain days or parts of the day
• Contemplative oryoki meals: Meals are taken while maintaining silence and mindfulness.
• Talks given by Senior Teachers: The senior teachers will share their understanding and insight of the view and path of meditation.
• Study Periods and Group Discussions: Time is set aside for study and contemplation, allowing participants to explore the concepts behind mindfulness-awareness meditation. We will also engage in group discussion in order to share experience and learn from one another.
• Nature: Karmê Chöling is beautiful in the winter. Winter is an opportunity to experience and appreciate the natural world during this quiet season.
• Open time: Time to rest and relax, get to know each other and share in your meditation experience.

Dathüns generally follow this form. Details may change as we get closer to the date.

• 6:30am Wake up
• 7:00am Early Morning Practice
• 8:00am Breakfast
• 9:00am Mid-Morning Practice
• 12:30pm Lunch (Contemplative)
• 1:30pm Work Period
• 3:00pm Afternoon Practice
• 4:00pm Tea Break
• 4:30pm Late Afternoon Practice
• 6:30pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Evening Practice
• 9:00pm End of Day

Join us at our Buddhist meditation retreat center in the Green Mountains of Vermont. During this beautiful time of the year our community of meditators will encourage and support you in your journey of profound personal growth.

Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling.