Programs
Special Funding Available
If you identify as a person of color or are an educator, M.Ed. student, health care professional, or full-time artist you may be eligible for special financial support to attend our retreats.
* Indicates program with prerequisites
April
April 15 - October 15
Garden Apprenticeship Program
A six-month residential program in which apprentices learn the basics of organic gardening while engaging in daily meditation practice and community life. No experience necessary.
July
July 29 - August 6
Family Camp
Family Camp is a magical week for parents and children to spend together with old friends and new in the beautiful rolling green hills of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom at Karmê Chöling. Karmê Chöling is closed to visitors during this t
August
August 9 - 11
Rigden Natural Confidence *
with Acharya Suzann Duquette
With the great problems now facing human society, it seems increasingly important to find simple ways to bring compassionate and strong leadership to the world, even in small ways.
August 12 - 21
Enlightened Society Assembly *
with Acharya Martin Janowitz and Acharya Susan Chapman
The Enlightened Society Assembly (Sutrayana Assembly) is a Shambhala mahayana program that emphasizes the view of the intrinsic goodness of all beings, practices that rouse bodhichitta and confident activity that engages fully in the world.
August 23 - 29
Staff Days Off
Time for a break! Karme Choling will be closed to visitors during this time.
September
September 1 - 3
Chöd Retreat *
with Arthur Jennings
For Vajrayana practitioners. Chöd practice represents the Mahayana view by helping us offer what is most precious to us: our body. It is an ancient practice for overcoming clinging and fixation.
September 1 - 4
Relax, Renew and Awaken
with Caroline DeMaio
Delight in the magic of fall and rediscover yourself during the height of peak foliage season.
September 5 - November 29
Mukpo Institute: Fall Semester
A semester of Buddhist study and practice under the direction of Ashe Acharya John Rockwell and senior teachers from the Shambhala Buddhist tradition.
September 8 - 10
The Natural World as Teacher
with Dr. Eva Wong and Ashe Acharya John Rockwell
The natural world is the gateway to the Tao.
September 8 - 10
Fall Tent Volunteer Weekend
Join the staff for a weekend of work and meditation as we take down our seasonal campground.
September 10 - 15
Qigong Retreat - Stoking the Scholar and Warrior Fire *
with Dr. Eva Wong
For those who have completed Level 6 Parts 1 and/or Part 2.
September 16 - 23
Shambhala Training Retreat: Levels I - III
with Shastri Mark Blumenfeld
Open to beginners and those new to meditation. Explore the Shambhala path of warriorship over the course of this week-long retreat, or join us for one or more levels.
September 16 - 18
Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human
September 18 - 20
Shambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior *
September 20 - 23
Shambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World *
September 16 - 23
Shambhala Training Retreat: Great Eastern Sun, Windhorse and Drala *
with Shastri Donna Williams
The Sacred Path brings the principles of warriorship and the practice of mindfulness-awareness into daily life. It is designed to nurture the student's ability to experience the world as sacred and their aspiration to create an enlightened society.
September 24
Harvest of Peace
On Saturday, September 23, 2017, we invite all members to our community celebration of Harvest of Peace. We will mark this important community day with food, conversation, group meditation, and chanting.
September 29 - October 1
Youth Leadership Intensive
with Shastri Nick Kranz
The foundation of enlightened society is being unashamed of who you are. This weekend will be an exploration in creating enlightened culture through the practice of social meditation a way to experience meditation as a form of cultural integration.
September 29 - October 29
Dathün: A Month of Meditation
with Acharya William McKeever and Shastri Calryn Aston
Open to everyone! Expand your understanding of your mind, emotions, and heart in this in-depth meditation retreat. Attend one, two, or all four weeks.
October
October 6 - 8
Fall Family Retreat
with Charlie Byron
This Fall weekend retreat invites families to come together in the spacious, natural environment of Karme Choling to explore meditation, community and the Shambhala Principle in everyday life.
October 14 - 25
Scorpion Seal: Year 7 *
Modeled after the traditional drupchen - great accumulation - this retreat will focus on intensive group practice of the Werma Sadhana and other practices received.
October 27 - 30
Awake Society, Now
with Acharya Adam Lobel
Gather with a community of spiritual warriors to unite Shambhala's spiritual teachings and its vision of enlightened society.
November
November 3 - 9
Shambhala Training Retreat: Levels IV - V *
with Shastri Nick Kranz
Awakened Heart and Open Sky are the culmination of the Heart of Warriorship section of Shambhala Training, and the prerequisite for entry into the Sacred Path section.
November 3 - 5
Shambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart *
November 6 - 9
Shambhala Training Level V: Open Sky *
November 3 - 10
Shambhala Training Retreat: The Four Dignities *
with Rupa Acharya Suzann Duquette
The warrior, having learned to rest in basic goodness, rouses energy to engage with the larger world guided by the teachings of the four dignities (Meek, Perky, Outrageous, and Inscrutable).
November 10 - 12
Heart and Mind Conflict Transformation
with Basia Solarz and Ella Reznikova
Learn to respond thoughtfully to conflicts - rather than react - during this weekend program which will explore the forces that derail mindful engagement when it matters most.
November 16 - 19
Brave Leadership: The Art of Hosting
with Marguerite Drescher and Gabrielle Donnelly
Brave Leadership is designed to enrich and support how we practice and create Enlightened Society and draws on the global Art of Hosting movement.
November 16 - 24
Weekthün: A Week of Meditation
with Shastri Bill Brauer
Open to everyone! Learn to understand your mind and emotions with this in-depth introduction to mindfulness-awareness meditation and Shambhala Meditation.
November 30 - December 8
Government Pillar Retreat, by special direct invitation from Minister Arthur only *
with Jane Arthur
By special invitation only. The purpose of the retreat is to provide a concentrated period of time in which senior leaders, through individual and collective practice, can connect with the mind of the Sacred Governance lineage of Shambhala.
December
December 11 - 15
Karmê Chöling Staff and Resident Retreat
Karmê Chöling will be closed to visitors during this time.
December 17
Children's Day
Come for this morning and afternoon of festivities, crafts, and a play starring the Karmê Chöling staff. All are welcome.
December 26, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Werma & Scorpion Seal Intensive: Ashe, The Essence of Life *
with Acharya Christie Cashman
Relax into the vast space and profound teaching of the Werma Sadhana through this study and practice retreat. Scorpion Seal Assembly participants or experienced practitioners of the sadhana may attend the whole program or just a day or two.
December 26, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Simplicity: Meditation for Real Life
with Shastri Nick Kranz
Open to all and ideal for beginners on the path of meditation, Simplicity retreats were created to give everyone a flexible, simple way to enjoy the benefits of sitting meditation.
December 26, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Heart of Recovery Retreat
with Shastri Brett Ferrigan
A exploration of how meditation and mindfulness intersect with recovery from addiction and other harmful habitual patterns. This is a week- long journey of warriorship, gentleness and bravery.
January
January 6 - February 5, 2018
Dathün: A Month of Meditation
with Acharya Richard John
Open to beginners! Deepen your meditation practice in this intensive month-long retreat. This dathün fulfills the group practice requirements for the Shambhala Buddhist path.
January 13 - 19, 2018
Scorpion Seal 9: Five-Day Retreat *
with Ashe Acharya John Rockwell
Practicing SSA-9 in a group retreat is a wonderful way to deepen these unique and penetrating transmissions.
January 21 - 29, 2018
Primordial Rigden Ngöndro Retreat *
with Ashe Acharya John Rockwell
The Primordial Rigden ngöndro enters us into the magical heart of Shambhala. It is the gateway to this sacred world and leads us to receive the Rigden Abhisheka and enter the Scorpion Seal path.
March
March 2 - 9, 2018
Shambhala Training Retreat: Great Eastern Sun, Windhorse and Drala *
with Ashe Acharya John Rockwell
The Sacred Path brings the principles of warriorship and the practice of mindfulness-awareness into daily life. It is designed to nurture the student's ability to experience the world as sacred and their aspiration to create an enlightened society.
March 2 - 10, 2018
Weekthün
with Rupa Acharya Suzann Duquette and Shastri Ethan Nichtern
Open to everyone! Learn to understand your mind and emotions with this in-depth introduction to mindfulness-awareness meditation and Shambhala Meditation.
March 9 - 18, 2018
The Basic Goodness Retreat
with Shastri Benoit Cote
The first principle of Shambhala is that everyone has a primordial nature of goodness.
March 24 - 30, 2018
Shambhala Training Retreat: Levels IV - V *
with Shastri Henry Chapin
Awakened Heart and Open Sky are the culmination of the Heart of Warriorship section of Shambhala Training, and the prerequisite for entry into the Sacred Path section.
April
April 18 - 23, 2018
Shambhala Guide Training *
with Shastri Bill Brauer
Application deadline is December 15, 2017. This training is for students who have a strong personal practice and feel ready to help others on their meditative journeys.
April 27 - May 1, 2018
QiGong Levels 1-3
with Acharya Suzann Duquette
A form of gentle, relaxing exercise, qigong strengthens joints, muscles, tendons, and bones, increases flexibility, stimulates the circulation of energy in our body, and enhances mental clarity.