1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra: Practice Retreat
in-person only
Register at Dzokden Kalapa
in-person only
This page is about the 1st VAJRA YOGA Practice Retreat Week(s).
WEEK 2: August 12th — 19th (7 nights)
WEEK 3: August 19th — August 26th (7 nights)
WEEK 4: August 26th — September 2nd (7 nights)
To register for the 1st VAJRA YOGA EMPOWERMENT, TEACHING, and RETREAT WEEK 1, you also need to additionally register here as well.
We are grateful to be able to offer a Practice Retreat on the 1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center in the Austrian mountains. This retreat is a rare opportunity to practice similarly to how aspiring yogis practice during the traditional three-year Kalachakra retreat, in a uniquely beautiful natural Summer setting. This group retreat will support the participants in establishing their 1st Vajra Yoga practice. By having a solid foundation for their own individual practice after the retreat, practitioners will be better able to complete the 1st Vajra Yoga and prepare for the next Vajra Yoga. You are welcome to take part in any of the weeks of your choosing (choose the weeks below when registering).
This is the first time we have the precious chance to offer such a long retreat on the 1st Vajra Yoga in Europe, so do not miss this precious opportunity!
[Note for those who have already received the 1st Vajra Yoga in Tibet in 2019: Rinpoché encourages you to first attend the 1st Vajra Yoga Empowerment, Teaching, and Retreat Week 1 first, rather than directly attending the Practice Retreat in Weeks 2, 3, and 4. However, if you absolutely cannot and only want to attend the practice retreat, first send us an email to [email protected] explaining your reasons before proceeding with the registration. We will contact you to confirm whether or not this is possible for you. Decisions will be taken on a case-by-case basis.]
Online Meditation Guidance from Khentrul Rinpoche + In-person Retreat
Each participant can request a personal audience with Rinpoche (remotely via Zoom) to discuss their meditation progress and help alleviate any obstacles to their practice. Rinpoché may also join remotely to give a group teaching (upon participants’ request) if he feels that it is necessary. Rafa Lobsang Dorje will lead the practice retreat in-person with Rinpoche’s blessing. He received the 1st Vajra Yoga from Rinpoche in 2019 in Tibet and practiced it in group and solitary retreat settings.
REQUIREMENTS
All participants must have received the 1st Vajra Yoga of Kalachakra by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche. If you have not received them yet and have the aspiration to do so, there is the possibility (upon approval) of receiving them before this practice retreat. More infos and registration here.
How to Prepare and Materials
How to prepare 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”. 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. We strongly encourage you to additionally register for their two associated courses at our learning center to prepare yourself in advance so that you know the rituals very well beforehand. If you wish (not mandatory), bring your own vajra, bell, damaru, or other ritual instruments to use during the puja and tsok gatherings.
Materials: You can borrow printed texts of Guru Puja and Tsok from the temple to use during the event. Please bring your printed practice book “The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga”. You can also bring Rinpoche’s commentary “The Hidden Treasure,” «Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 3,» and the 1st Vajra Yoga Booklet as a reference for your practice (everything on paper, as tablets, phones, or computers are not allowed after the strict retreat begins.) Other reading materials not directly related to the 1st Vajra Yoga are not allowed during the retreat period. Bring your blindfold and your meditation belt.
Retreat Information and Guidelines
The retreat will be closed and in silence. 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, watching Rinpoché’s recorded teachings, personal audiences and so forth. Participants are welcome to address their questions related to the practice in written form to the retreat leader. They can request personal audiences with Rinpoché (remotely via Zoom) as well. 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.
Check-in and Check out between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (If you absolutely need to leave earlier, that is possible. Just inform us in advance of your plans.)
Registration
More Info and Registration at Dzokden Kalapa in Austria
The fee for the retreat includes three vegetarian meals and shared accommodations at the beautiful Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center. Please inform us ([email protected]) in advance if you have allergies, food intolerances, or other important health or mental conditions that we need to consider. We cannot promise space for individual rooms for participants of this event. However, you can alternatively bring your own tent and sleep outside near the Kalachakra Stupa (see registration options below). Please note: Parking in the area of Kalapa is very limited. If you are staying withus for the whole retreat, we encourage you to drop off then find a space to park at a distance (in the city, if possible) to help other travellers reach the site.
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
