Registrations through the Kalapa Website
We are renovating and beautifying the Retreat Center, and you are very welcome to join us! Come join us to make merit and offer service to the community at Kalapa for a few days or for the entire volunteering period! Help prepare the center for Rinpoche’s visit!
Kalapa Care Weeks in Spring and Summer 2027: May 5 – 9 | July 1 – 5
“This experience was very helpful and deep, and I feel so grateful that Kalapa Retreat Center offers such a precious space — both for community and for inner practice. With love and appreciation.” (Alena Chöyang Lhamo, Kalapa Care participant)
We invite you to come to Kalapa to volunteer for a wide variety of activities, including arts and crafts, care and maintenance of the stūpa and temple, sacred art, wall painting, carpentry work, repairs, renovation and construction, deep cleaning, gardening, cooking, and so forth. You can start with activities with which you feel most comfortable, and learn new ones over time.
Volunteering for the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha is a precious way of accumulating merit to support your spiritual progress. Our spiritual director, the Tibetan monk and Vajra Master Shar Khentrul Rinpoche, strongly encourages us to contribute in any form we feel inclined to, whether or not we are specialists in any given activity. Altruistic motivation and a proper mindset are the most important things.
In the evenings, free time is set aside for volunteers to rest and reflect or focus on individual meditation practice or Dharma study. Depending on the schedule for each Kalapa Care volunteering event and the wishes of the participants, we can also set aside some time to pray for World Peace or explore the beautiful surrounding natural environment — these additional activities are entirely optional, and you can focus only on volunteering if you so prefer.
EAP — If you are participating in the EAP (Enlightened Activities Program), by participating in a full Kalapa Care event throughout the entire 5-day period (both morning and afternoon), you will accumulate around 35 – 40 EAP hours.
Physical & Mental Health: If you are currently experiencing, or have recently experienced, any significant physical, psychiatric, or psychological illness, it is your responsibility to obtain permission beforehand from your healthcare provider or your therapist to participate.
Accommodation and Food
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we are able to provide free accommodations and three complimentary vegetarian meals a day for all participants who commit to volunteering daily for 8 hours. Registration is free.
Alternative: If volunteering full-time is too much for you and you would prefer to volunteer only half a day (4 hours), the option “visitor-volunteer” may be a better choice for you (in this alternative option, there is a cost of 30,- Euro per day for the stay; meals are provided free of charge) — if this is your preference, just let us know by e-mail so that we can plan accordingly. (If you are, however, a member of the Dzoken Kalapa Association, you can use your free overnight stay days, if you have them, and do not need to pay for the overnight in this case, even if you volunteer only 4 hours daily.)
We can host the volunteers in our dormitories. However, you do not necessarily need to stay overnight inside the retreat center. If you prefer to stay outside, please feel free to bring your own tent and enjoy camping near the blessed Kālachakra Stūpa. There are also some guest houses in the local area, which you can simply book yourself if you have access to a vehicle to reach the center.
We can also offer access to our internet for Dharma study or Dharma work purposes only. Group transportation from Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center will be organized for a specific period, which will be announced in a preparation email around one week before the event starts.
If you have further questions, please email [email protected] or call us at +43 676 395 8898. We can currently answer questions in multiple languages: English, German, Portuguese, and French.
How to get to Kalapa?
How to get to Kalapa?
Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, ZIP-Code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark.
The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria.
By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Bad Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Bad Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, keep to the right towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.
By train: To travel to Kalapa by train, from Graz, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about 45 minutes to the Bad Schwanberg station (timetable information). To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, we will send additional info via email one week before the event.
In-person only (Event in English; practice sessions in Tibetan and English; practice materials available in multiple languages)
Registrations through the Kalapa Website here.
February 5 (Friday) – 14 (Sunday)
We are delighted to offer a Practice Retreat combining both Wensum and Vajra Yoga practitioners of various levels, around the auspicious Losar period. This 9-night retreat in the Winter is a rare opportunity to practice similarly to how aspiring yogins practice during the traditional three-year Kālachakra retreat of the Jonangpas, in a uniquely beautiful natural setting in the Austrian mountains. Different from the large teaching events in the Summer, the practice retreat in the Winter has a much smaller number of meditators and an intimate atmosphere inspiring deep contemplation. You are encouraged to take part in the entire period, but you can leave earlier if absolutely needed.
We welcome any level of practitioner from Wensum onwards. Depending on the level of practice of the participants registered, specific spaces or opportunities to focus on their main practice might be separately organized. This retreat is not only a special opportunity to practice intensively as a Sangha, but also to clarify any questions you may have about the practice, so that you can confidently continue practicing on your own and/or properly prepare yourself to move on to the next level of practice.
Rafa Lobsang Dorje will lead the retreat with Vajra Master Shar Khentrul Rinpoche’s blessing. Lobsang Dorje received the Higher Empowerments from Rinpoche in 2017 and has participated in more than twenty Wensum and Vajra Yoga retreats in group and solitary settings. He has been leading long retreats at Kalapa since 2021. Rinpoche will join remotely via Zoom in case there is a request from participants for a personal audience.
SCHEDULE overview
February 5 (Friday): 14:00 – 16:00 arrival and check-in | 17:00 – 18:00 Sang Offering Pūja at the Kālachakra-Stūpa | 18:00 Dinner | 19:30 – 21:00 Introductory Ritual in the Temple
February 6 – 13: Strict Practice Retreat (February 13: break of formal silence after the 3rd session)
February 14: 06:30 – 08:20 Practice Session | 08:30 – 09:00 Breakfast | 09:00 – 10:00 Karma Yoga | 10:00 – 10:30 Kalapa Shop open | 10:30 – 11:30 Check-out
REQUIREMENTS
All participants must have received at least the Four Higher Empowerments of Kālachakra from Shar Khentrul Rinpoche. Everyone who has already taken them is automatically approved for participation. If you have not received them yet and have the aspiration to do so in the future, fulfill the request here.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH: Attending a retreat at Dzokden Kalapa is a serious undertaking that will require your mental and physical health. If you are currently suffering from, or have recently suffered from, any significant physical, psychiatric, or psychological illness, it is your responsibility to obtain written permission beforehand from your healthcare providers or your therapist to participate.
Retreat Info and Guidelines
Retreat Info and Guidelines
Between February 6 (morning of the 2nd event day) and the 3rd session on February 13 (day before the last event day), the strict retreat part will take place; it will be closed and silent. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use computers, tablets, mobile phones, electronic watches, and so forth, even for Dharma purposes. We can store personal phones and other electronic devices. If someone needs to contact you in case of emergency, they can email [email protected] or call/message +43 676 395 8898. Both the e-mailbox and phone will be checked at least once daily (including the spam folder).
The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions and occasionally additional dharma activities. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan. If English is a strong language barrier to you, you can bring copies of the texts in your own language as well and read them silently when the group recites in English. Practitioners are welcome to address their questions related to the practice to the retreat leader. They can also request one personal audience with Rinpoche (remotely).
How to prepare myself for this retreat
In addition to the sādhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart,” you will need to know the sādhana “Secret Dakini Treasure”. For the latter, you must register here for the oral commentary Rinpoche gave if you have not already done so (chanting recording is inside the course). We encourage you to study beforehand all the sādhanas as much as you can, including the chantings, because there will be regular sessions of chanting in Tibetan. Get access here to the Divine Ladder chantings of our lineage.
Guru Pūjā and Kālachakra-Tsok will be held on special occasions; please bring your own vajra and bell, and your Vajra Robes (if you do not have them, we can borrow Dzokden Sangha Robes for you). We strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses at the learning center to prepare yourself in advance. If you wish (not mandatory), bring also ḍamaru, conch, or other ritual instruments to use during musical offerings.
Food and Accommodation
Food and On-Site Accommodations
The fee for the retreat includes three meals and shared accommodations at the beautiful Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. The food served is vegetarian and includes a vegan and a gluten-free alternative.
When completing the registration form, inform if you have allergies or strong food intolerances that need to be considered. While we can not serve you individually, we can clearly sign out the content of the served dishes for your orientation. In case you are on a very restricted diet, we suggest booking the DRA, where you can cook in a separate kitchen.
DARK MEDITATION APARTMENT available: the DRA — Dark Retreat Apartment — with two rooms, one separate kitchen, 2 separate toilets, and one separate bath, is available during the retreat period. It can be used by one or two participants. If you would like to book the DRA additionally, see more info about the DRA here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
We need one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants. Unlike the participants, the volunteer can access electronic devices, the internet, and so forth. This is an extraordinary opportunity to generate merit and create the causes to be able to engage in this practice yourself in the future. If you are part of the Enlightened Activities Program and need to gather participation for attending Completion Stage teachings with Rinpoche, your participation as a volunteer for this event can be counted (around 100 EAP hours in total).
If you are considering this opportunity, please write as soon as possible to [email protected] so that we can arrange a video call to plan your participation. During your stay, we can provide free access to a recorded retreat/course at our digital learning center. Alternatively, if you have already received the Four Higher Empowerments and want to volunteer full-time for this event, you can then participate in all activities of the retreat for free, so far you can plan the breaks from your volunteer work accordingly.
Getting to Kalapa
How to get to Kalapa?
Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, Garanas 41, Bad Schwanberg, ZIP-Code 8541, Austria, Südweststeiermark. The nearest airport is in Graz, Austria.
By car: From the Graz-West motorway junction (A2/A9), get on the A2 towards Klagenfurt/Italy and take the Lieboch exit. Then, continue on Federal Road 76 towards Eibiswald. After about 30 km, you will reach Bad Schwanberg. At the end of the main square in Bad Schwanberg, turn left towards Garanas. After the bridge, keep to the right towards Garanas and follow the signs to “Kalachakra Kalapa Center” uphill for about 8 km to reach the center.
By train: To travel to Kalapa by train, from Graz, take the S6 or S61 S-Bahn towards Wies-Eibiswald for about 45 minutes to the Bad Schwanberg station (timetable information) To travel from the Bad Schwanberg train station to the retreat center, we will send additional info via email 1-2 week(s) before the event on whether/when a pick-up will be organized between 14:00 and 15:30. If you miss the pick-up from Kalapa, you need to book yourself a private taxi and cover the expense yourself ([email protected], phone +43 3462 2627).
Registration Cost
Sangha Supporter – 900 EUR
The program fee includes a place in a shared room and full board of 3 meals a day. With this option, your generosity will also support other practitioners who may need a reduced registration cost.
Regular Registration – 636 EUR
This is the regular registration option. The program fee includes a place in a shared room and full board of 3 meals a day.
Scholarship Reduced Program Fee – 500 EUR
Choose this option if you have a very reduced income or are currently facing difficult financial challenges — the scholarship program fee includes a place in a shared room and full board of 3 meals a day.
Early Bird Discount for Members – 550 EUR
If you are a member of the Dzokden Kalapa Association (www.kalapa.org/membership), you can choose this option if you register for the event by November 5 (3 months before the event start). The program fee includes a place in a shared room and full board of 3 meals a day.
In-person only.
November 19–28, 2027 (9 Nights)
This page is for registration for the First Vajra Yoga Retreat only. This retreat will run concurrently with the Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments Retreat, but registrations and participation are entirely separate.
Apply for the 1st Higher Empowerment
For those who have completed the Kalachakra preliminary and uncommon preliminary practices, received the Four Higher Empowerments, the First Vajra Yoga marks the true beginning of the completion stage path. Having established the foundation through years of preparation, practitioners now enter the direct meditative training that transforms conceptual understanding into direct realization. Rather than relying upon conceptual analysis, the first of the Six Vajra Yogas of Kalachakra introduces practitioners to the direct experience of the nature of mind through the profound methods of the Kalachakra completion stage. This is the beginning of a lifetime of practice that, under the guidance of an authentic Vajra Master, leads toward complete awakening. Because of the profound nature of these teachings, Khentrul Rinpoche offers the First Vajra Yoga only to students who have sincerely prepared themselves and genuinely aspire to dedicate themselves to the Kalachakra path. Participation is not simply attendance at a retreat—it is a commitment to practice in many different ways. We can not forget that realization of this path does not rely on a technique or skill but rather on the view, devotion, merit and wisdom.
A Rare Opportunity
Opportunities to receive the First Vajra Yoga directly from Khentrul Rinpoche are exceedingly rare. This retreat forms part of Rinpoche’s long-term vision to transmit the complete Six Vajra Yogas of Kalachakra to qualified students on every continent of the world, preserving an authentic living lineage for future generations.
For practitioners who have completed the necessary prerequisites, this is a precious opportunity to receive the transmission, guidance, and retreat environment needed to begin the completion stage path correctly under the direct guidance of a qualified Vajra Master.
Why Practice the First Vajra Yoga?
The First Vajra Yoga is the doorway to all of the remaining Vajra Yogas. Through the practice of the Three Isolations (Wensum), practitioners gradually learn to free themselves from ordinary conceptual mind and rest within the innate wisdom nature that has always been present.
As Khentrul Rinpoche writes in Unveiling Your Sacred Truth, Volume 3:
“Upon completion of the two outer, the five inner, and the two unique preliminary practices of the Kālachakra Path, we are ready to enter the indestructible and profound path of the Six Vajra Yogas of Kālachakra. These advanced yogic techniques are like a wish-fulfilling jewel with the capacity to grant us everything our hearts desire in the blink of an eye. For a diligent practitioner whose mind is sufficiently pure, enlightenment can be achieved within only a few short human years. Even mastery of a single Vajra Yoga is enough to ensure one is never again reborn into the suffering cycle of death and rebirth.”
Practicing the First Vajra Yoga enables you to:
-Begin authentic completion stage meditation within the Kalachakra tradition.
-Transform conceptual understanding into direct meditative experience.
-Receive ongoing guidance for your lifelong Vajra Yoga practice.
-Deepen your realization under the guidance of an authentic Vajra Master.
-Establish the foundation for progressing through the remaining Vajra Yogas.
-Cultivate the causes for complete awakening and rebirth in Shambhala.
Applying to Attend the First Vajra Yoga Retreat
Because the First Vajra Yoga is a profound completion stage practice, attendance is by application and approval. If you have previously received the First Vajra Yoga teachings directly from Khentrul Rinpoche, you may register immediately without submitting another application. If this will be your first time receiving the First Vajra Yoga, please submit the application form here.
Enlightened activities Program Requirement
You need to have completed 300 practice hours + 300 hours of EAP within 1 year between retreats or 150 practice hours + 600 Hours of EAP
Applications are reviewed to ensure that students have completed the necessary prerequisites and are properly prepared to engage in this practice. Once your application has been approved, you may complete your registration and payment through this website. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, as reviewing applications and preparing students for this important step takes time.
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About This Retreat
This retreat is for students receiving or renewing the First Vajra Yoga transmission or newly receiving them. During the same period, you will receive the Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments and practice with those practicing wensum. While both retreats share the same retreat center and preparation day, you can not share or show practices to people in the opposite retreat. Participants in the First Vajra Yoga retreat will receive the Four Higher Empowerments again from Khentrul Rinpoche as a reaffirmation of the foundation of the completion stage path. Following this, Rinpoche will bestow the transmission and essential instructions for the First Vajra Yoga before students enter a week of dedicated retreat practice.Throughout the retreat, students will engage in intensive meditation, receive additional guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche, and have the opportunity to request personal interviews regarding their practice.
What Is Included
-Two days of preparation with Kalachakra Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja, Kalachakra Tsok, and time in nature with Khentrul Rinpoche.
-The Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra (bestowed again to support your completion stage practice).
-Complete transmission and teachings for the First Vajra Yoga (Three Isolations / Wensum).
-One week of guided retreat practice with senior students.
-A personal interview with Khentrul Rinpoche upon request.
-Printed First Vajra Yoga practice materials and retreat handbook.
-Nine nights of accommodations at Green Mountain Retreat Center.
-All meals throughout the retreat.
Retreat Guidelines
Following the Four Higher Empowerments, participants are required to remain silent to support both their own experience and the practice of those participating in the concurrent wensum retreat. Should an emergency arise, family members may contact the Dzokden office at 415-810-6168 or [email protected] and messages will be relayed promptly.
To preserve the retreat environment, we ask participants to:
-Turn off and store mobile phones and electronic devices with Dzokden staff.
-No visitors during the retreat.
-Respect periods of silence and the daily practice schedule.
-Be mindful that others on the property may be engaged in intensive meditation.
Meals and Dietary Requirements
Meals are prepared by the retreat center throughout your stay. Please note that the menu may not be strictly vegetarian, as the retreat center serves several retreat groups and accommodates a wide variety of dietary needs. If you have food allergies or medical dietary restrictions—including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free diets—please let us know during registration. We will gladly request accommodations from the retreat center kitchen whenever possible. While specific requests cannot be guaranteed, the kitchen is generally very accommodating when informed in advance.
Accommodations
Participants will stay in peaceful shared cottages nestled among the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most rooms are shared by approximately two participants, with shared bathrooms serving several bedrooms. Depending on the cottage, participants may also have access to comfortable common living areas and either a full kitchen or kitchenette. Room assignments will be made before arrival. Whenever possible, we will accommodate requests regarding roommates, accessibility, and other practical needs. The accommodations are intentionally simple, clean, and quiet—providing a supportive environment for contemplation, practice, and rest.
Payment Information
Registration Fees
Early Registration: $2,800 USD
Regular Registration: $3,000 USD
Sangha Supporter: $3,200 USD
The Sangha Supporter registration helps make Dzokden retreats possible while assisting practitioners who may require financial support. Payment plans are available with a deposit.
Returning Students
If you have previously received the 1st Vajra Yoga and you have completed your EAP requirement, you may register immediately.
You may either:
-Pay in full, or
-Reserve your place with a $500 deposit and request a payment plan.
First-Time Applicants
If this is your first time receiving the Four Higher Empowerments, attendance is by application and acceptance. After your application has been reviewed, our Chief Financial Officer, Theresa, will contact you with instructions for completing your registration.
Financial Assistance
Because Dzokden must rent the retreat facility and cover substantial operating expenses, scholarship funds are limited. If financial hardship would prevent you from attending, please contact [email protected]. Every request is reviewed individually and compassionately.
Travel and Directions
Green Mountain Retreat Center
19480 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
The retreat center is located in the peaceful Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Los Gatos.
Flying
San José International Airport (SJC) — approximately 30–40 minutes away (recommended)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — approximately 60–90 minutes away
Train
Amtrak and Caltrain both serve San José Diridon Station, approximately 30 minutes from the retreat center by car.
Ground Transportation
Uber and Lyft are readily available from both airports and San José.
Please note that Waymo does not currently operate in the mountain area surrounding the retreat center.
Driving
Bear Creek Road is fully paved but becomes narrow and winding as you approach the retreat center. We recommend arriving during daylight if possible and allowing additional travel time during weekends.
This event is available In-person ONLY.
Four Higher Empowerments & Retreat:
Enter the Gateway to the Completion Stage Path
In-person only November 19th – 28th (9 nights)
This page is for registration for the Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments and Retreat only. This retreat will run concurrently with the 1st Vajra Yoga Retreat.
For most practitioners of Kalachakra, there comes a moment when study, reflection, and generation stage practice are no longer enough. Having established the foundation, the next step is to enter the direct path to realization through the profound completion stage teachings. The Four Higher Empowerments are the sacred gateway to that journey. These empowerments are not simply another blessing or initiation. They establish the conditions for entering the Vajra Yogas of Kalachakra and deepen the sacred vajra relationship between disciple and guru. They represent a sincere commitment to dedicate one’s life to the path of realization for the benefit of all beings.
Because of their profound significance, Khentrul Rinpoche offers these empowerments only to students who have prepared themselves through study, practice, and sincere aspiration. Receiving them is not the culmination of one’s training—it is the beginning of a lifelong journey into the heart of the Kalachakra completion stage.
A Rare Opportunity
Khentrul Rinpoche last bestowed the Four Higher Empowerments in the United States in 2023. Opportunities to receive them in person are rare and may not arise again for many years as the one given previously in the USA was in 2019. Students who sincerely wish to continue on the complete Kalachakra path are warmly invited to apply.
Why Receive the Four Higher Empowerments?
The Four Higher Empowerments qualify a practitioner to begin training in the profound completion stage practices of Kalachakra. More importantly, they ripen the disciple’s mind to receive direct experiential instructions that lead beyond conceptual understanding toward realization.
As Khentrul Rinpoche explains in Unveiling Your Sacred Truth, Volume 3:
“Up to this point, our use of conceptual methods has been instrumental in removing our many layers of misconception, but as they are embedded in the dualistic mind, these methods function as a subtle barrier to experiencing our definitive nature. For this reason, we need to abandon them in favour of a direct approach that works without conceptual fabrications. We can achieve this transformation from conceptual to non-conceptual in two steps. Firstly we are introduced to the Kalachakra view by receiving the Four Higher Empowerments. Secondly, with the establishment of this view, we use the unique meditation technique of the Three Isolations (Wensum) to cut the proliferation of thoughts and abide in the nature of the mind.”
Receiving the Four Higher Empowerments prepares you to:
-Enter the completion stage of the Kalachakra path.
-Receive the transmissions and guidance for the Vajra Yogas.
-Deepen your samaya with an authentic Vajra Master.
-Transform the path from conceptual understanding into direct meditative experience.
-Continue training toward stable realization for the benefit of all beings.
Applying to Receive the Four Higher Empowerments
You are more than welcome to present yourself as a candidate to receive these empowerments by sending your application here. Because the Four Higher Empowerments are the gateway to the Kalachakra completion stage, first-time applicants are asked to complete an application before registering. This allows Khentrul Rinpoche and the Dzokden team to ensure that each student has the appropriate preparation and sincere aspiration to receive these profound transmissions.
If this will be your first time receiving the Four Higher Empowerments, please submit your application using the form below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and once approved, you can then enroll and pay on this website. Apply by sending your application here. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, as reviewing applications and preparing students for this important step takes time.
If you have previously received the Four Higher Empowerments from Khentrul Rinpoche, or you have already been approved to receive them, you may register directly without submitting another application.
About This Retreat
This retreat is for the Four Higher Empowerments only. During the same period, a separate First Vajra Yoga (Three Isolations / Wensum) Retreat will also be taking place for students who have already fulfilled its prerequisites and registered independently. While the two retreats share the same location, registrations and participation are entirely separate. Students receiving the Four Higher Empowerments will spend the days leading up to the empowerment preparations through Guru Puja, Kalachakra Tsok, preliminary practices, and teachings from Khentrul Rinpoche. This careful preparation creates the proper conditions for receiving these profound transmissions with clarity, devotion, and confidence.
What Is Included
Your registration includes:
-Preparation day with Kalachakra Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja, and Kalachakra Tsok.
-The complete Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra bestowed by Khentrul Rinpoche.
-Printed practice materials and retreat handbook.
-A traditional meditation belt.
-Time with Khentrul Rinpoche during the preparation period, including the opportunity to request a personal interview.
-Nine nights of accommodations at Green Mountain Retreat Center.
-All meals throughout the retreat.
The Four Higher Empowerments are not an end point. They are the threshold. They open the door to the profound completion stage teachings, but realization itself comes through years of sincere practice, devotion, and familiarization with the Vajra Yogas under the guidance of one’s guru. For those who feel called to walk the complete Kalachakra path, receiving these empowerments is one of the most meaningful commitments a practitioner can make.
Retreat Information
What Is Included
Your registration includes everything needed to fully participate in the Four Higher Empowerments retreat.
Spiritual Program
-One full day of preparation with Kalachakra Preliminary Practices
-Guru Puja and Kalachakra Tsok
-The complete Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra bestowed by Khentrul Rinpoche
-Teachings and guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche during the preparation period
-Opportunity to request a personal interview with Khentrul Rinpoche
Retreat Materials
-Printed booklet containing the empowerment information and retreat materials
-Traditional meditation belt for practice
Accommodations & Meals
-Nine nights of shared accommodations
-All meals throughout the retreat
Retreat Schedule
Retreat Schedule
Friday, November 19
Arrival & Orientation
-Check-in: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
-Welcome and retreat orientation
-Evening opening practice
Saturday, November 20
Preparing to Receive the Higher Empowerments
Participants spend the day preparing body, speech, and mind through the Kalachakra Preliminary Practices, Guru Puja, Kalachakra Tsok, and time in nature with Khentrul Rinpoche (weather permitting).
Sunday, November 21
The Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra
Khentrul Rinpoche will bestow the complete Four Higher Empowerments, opening the gateway to the Kalachakra completion stage path.
November 22–28
Following the empowerment, participants remain at the retreat center practicing in the same space as the 1st vajra yoga students. Neither group can discuss the practices as they are secret.. During this period, participants have time for personal reflection, continued practice, optional interviews with Rinpoche as available, and the opportunity to remain immersed in the retreat environment before departing.
Sunday, November 28
Closing & Departure
Closing prayers and dedication and Check-out: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Each day follows a structured schedule centered on meditation and practice. The daily program includes four practice sessions, together with occasional pujas, opportunities for personal interviews, and other retreat activities. Participation in two daily group practice sessions is mandatory, unless prevented by health or other exceptional circumstances. The remaining two practice sessions may be completed either with the group or individually in your room, according to your needs and Rinpoche’s guidance.
Practice sessions will be conducted primarily in English with portions chanted in Tibetan. Participants who prefer to follow the liturgy in another language are welcome to bring authorized translations of the practice texts and read them silently while the group chants in English and Tibetan. We ask everyone to approach the retreat with flexibility, patience, and mutual respect so that all participants can benefit from an atmosphere of quiet, stability, and focused practice.
Preparing for the Retreat
Preparing for the Retreat
If this will be your first time receiving the Four Higher Empowerments, we strongly encourage you to prepare beforehand by becoming familiar with the Kalachakra Preliminary Practices.
We recommend studying and practicing:
-The Divine Ladder
-Enlightening the Heart
-Secret Dakini Treasure
If you have not yet received Khentrul Rinpoche’s oral commentary on Secret Dakini Treasure, please register for that course prior to attending the retreat. The more familiar you are with the liturgy, prayers, and chants before arriving, the more fully you will be able to engage with the retreat experience.
Please bring:
-The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga
-The Hidden Treasure (optional reference)
During the retreat we encourage students to refrain from bringing unrelated Dharma books or reading materials so that attention remains focused on empowerment and practice.
Retreat Guidelines
Retreat Guidelines
Following the Four Higher Empowerments, participants are required to remain silence to support both their own experience and the practice of those participating in the concurrent Vajra Yoga retreat. Should an emergency arise, family members may contact the Dzokden office at 415-810-6168 or [email protected] and messages will be relayed promptly.
To preserve the retreat environment, we ask participants to:
-Turn off and store mobile phones and electronic devices with Dzokden staff.
-No visitors during the retreat.
-Respect periods of silence and the daily practice schedule.
-Be mindful that others on the property may be engaged in intensive meditation.
Meals and Dietary Requirements
Meals and Dietary Requirements
Meals are prepared by the retreat center throughout your stay. Please note that the menu may not be strictly vegetarian, as the retreat center serves several retreat groups and accommodates a wide variety of dietary needs. If you have food allergies or medical dietary restrictions—including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free diets—please let us know during registration. We will gladly request accommodations from the retreat center kitchen whenever possible. While specific requests cannot be guaranteed, the kitchen is generally very accommodating when informed in advance.
Accommodations
Accommodations
Participants will stay in peaceful shared cottages nestled among the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most rooms are shared by approximately two participants, with shared bathrooms serving several bedrooms. Depending on the cottage, participants may also have access to comfortable common living areas and either a full kitchen or kitchenette. Room assignments will be made before arrival. Whenever possible, we will accommodate requests regarding roommates, accessibility, and other practical needs. The accommodations are intentionally simple, clean, and quiet—providing a supportive environment for contemplation, practice, and rest.
Payment Information
Payment Information
Registration Fees
Early Registration: $2,800 USD
Regular Registration: $3,000 USD
Sangha Supporter: $3,200 USD
The Sangha Supporter registration helps make Dzokden retreats possible while assisting practitioners who may require financial support. Payment plans are available with a deposit.
Returning Students
If you have previously received the Four Higher Empowerments, you may register immediately.
You may either:
-Pay in full, or
-Reserve your place with a $500 deposit and request a payment plan.
First-Time Applicants
If this is your first time receiving the Four Higher Empowerments, attendance is by application and acceptance. After your application has been reviewed, our Chief Financial Officer, Theresa, will contact you with instructions for completing your registration.
Financial Assistance
Because Dzokden must rent the retreat facility and cover substantial operating expenses, scholarship funds are limited. If financial hardship would prevent you from attending, please contact [email protected]. Every request is reviewed individually and compassionately.
Travel and Directions
Travel and Directions
Green Mountain Retreat Center
19480 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
The retreat center is located in the peaceful Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Los Gatos.
Flying
San José International Airport (SJC) — approximately 30–40 minutes away (recommended)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — approximately 60–90 minutes away
Train
Amtrak and Caltrain both serve San José Diridon Station, approximately 30 minutes from the retreat center by car.
Ground Transportation
Uber and Lyft are readily available from both airports and San José.
Please note that Waymo does not currently operate in the mountain area surrounding the retreat center.
Driving
Bear Creek Road is fully paved but becomes narrow and winding as you approach the retreat center. We recommend arriving during daylight if possible and allowing additional travel time during weekends.
