2027 First Vajra Yoga Retreat

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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4 Higher Empowerments of Kalachakra 10 day Retreat

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