Kalachakra Dark Retreat (3 Isolations / Wensum)

in-person only
Register at Dzokden Kalapa in Austria 
This page is information for the RETREAT WEEKS 2, 3 and 4. If you want to participate in the Higher Empowerments and 1st week of the retreat, you also need to register here as well.
WEEK 2: August 23th – 30th (7 nights)
WEEK 3: August 30th – September 6th
WEEK 4: September 6th – 13th

We are grateful to be able to offer the Three Isolations (Wensum) Retreat at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center in the Austrian mountains. This retreat is a rare opportunity to practice in a similar way to how aspiring yogis practice during the traditional three-year Kalachakra retreat, in a uniquely beautiful natural setting. This retreat will support the participants in cultivating the Three Isolations of Body, Speech, and Mind as a solid ground for entering the Kalachakra Completion Stage of the Six Vajra Yogas. You are welcome to take part in the entire retreat or any of the weeks of your choosing. 

Online Meditation Guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche + In-person Retreat
Rafa Lobsang Dorje will lead the retreat with Rinpoche’s blessing. He received the Wensum teachings from Rinpoche in 2017 and has participated in about ten Wensum retreats in group and solitary settings. He also recently led two long Wensum retreats at Kalapa.

Each participant can also request a personal interview with Rinpoche via Zoom to discuss their meditation progress and help alleviate any obstacles to their practice.

REQUIREMENTS
All participants must have received the Four Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra with instructions for the Three Isolations (Wensum) from Shar Khentrul Rinpoche. Everyone who has already taken these Higher Empowerments is automatically approved for participation. There is the possibility of receiving them on week 1 (register here). If you have not received them yet and have the aspiration to do so, fulfill the request here as soon as possible. 

The last time Rinpoche gave these Higher Empowerments in Europe was in 2017. Do not miss this opportunity if you are considering applying, because it may take years for us to be able to receive them in Europe again. 

Note: the Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments are not the same Empowerments that Rinpoche has given in Hong Kong in 2020 and in other places such as in Vienna in 2019, which are called “The Seven Empowerments of a Growing Child”. If you are not sure that you have received the Four Higher Empowerments, write to us before starting your registration. 

How to prepare myself for this retreat
In addition to the longer sadhanas “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart”, you will need to know the sadhana “Secret Dakini Treasure”. For the latter, you must register here for the oral commentary Rinpoche gave recently if you have not already done so. We encourage you to study all the sadhanas as much as you can, including the transliterations and chantings, because there will be some sessions of chanting in Tibetan without a recording during the retreat.

During the retreat, Guru Puja and Kalachakra Tsok gatherings will also be held on special occasions. If these are new to you, we strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses on our learning center to prepare yourself in advance. However, these courses are not mandatory prerequisites for participation. 

Materials
Bring your practice book “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga”. You can also bring Rinpoche’s commentary “The Hidden Treasure” and the Higher Empowerments Booklet as a reference for your practice. Other reading materials not directly related to the Wensum practice are not allowed.

REGISTRATION COSTS for EACH WEEK (for weeks 2, 3 and 4)
250,- (reduced registration for those with a reduced income or who prefer to stay in a tent at the retreat center)
375,- (normal registration option)
500,-  (sangha supporter registration level – with this option, your generosity will also support other practitioners who may need a reduced registration cost)

Retreat Infos and Guidelines
This is a strict retreat. The retreat will be closed and in silence. During this period, participants are not allowed to receive visitors or use computers, tablet devices, mobile phones, and so forth. We can store personal phones and other electronic devices in our office. If someone needs to contact you in case of emergency, they can email [email protected] or call +43 676 395 8898. Both e-mailbox and phone will be checked at least once each day. Rinpoche advises participants to follow the retreat guidelines respectfully, not only for the success of their own practice, but also to avoid disturbing others. 

The daily schedule consists of four practice sessions and additional activities such as occasional pujas, interviews, and so forth. Participation in two daily group sessions is mandatory unless health conditions completely prevent you from taking part. The remaining two sessions can be practiced in your own room if you prefer. Practice sessions will be conducted in English and Tibetan. If you absolutely prefer, you can bring copies of the texts in your own language as well and read them silently while the group recites in English.

Volunteer Opportunities
This is a strict retreat, and participants should avoid engaging in too much physical activity and interacting with others unnecessarily. We need at least one volunteer to cook breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner for the participants. A room separate from that used by the retreat participants will be provided for volunteer cooks, who will be able to enjoy all the areas in the retreat center except for the Kalachakra Temple itself where the participants will practice. Unlike the participants, volunteers 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. Rinpoche strongly encourages us to support our dharma brothers and sisters by volunteering.

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. You can also volunteer for only a portion of the event rather than for the whole retreat; you can offer as much as possible according to your capability. During your stay, we can provide free access to an online course or recorded retreat at our digital learning center if you would like to support your practice and study while you are volunteering.