PLEASE NOTE JANUARY THROUGH APRIL SEGMENTS CANCELLED
NOVEMBER 1, 2010 – DECEMBER 15TH, 2010
Take this opportunity for intensive personal practice of Kagyu, Nyingma, Primordial Rigden Ngondros, or Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara, Vajrakilya and Werma sadhanas.
Jenny Warwick the Acharya in residence in January, says: I am delighted to be given this opportunity to practice and to give back to Sopa Choling…since departing from Sopa Choling in August 2007, I have been wondering how and when I might return to that wonderful source of beauty and deep practice.
Schedule
November |
Acharya Eve Rosenthal (November 16-30) Ngondro/Werma Group Retreat- Participation Satisfies Shambhala Vajrayana Path Requirements for 2 weeks in a practice center. |
| December |
One half dathun, Dec 1 - 15 lead by Cara Thornley |
Fees
$1,500 CDN per month
$800 CDN for Ngondro/Werma Group Retreat and for half-dathun
Deposits
A 10% deposit of total due is required upon registration. Registration is not complete without deposit.
Retreat Boundaries
Physical:
Just as in cabin retreats, there are clear physical boundaries beyond which one cannot go when one is in retreat at Sopa Choling.
Outside Communication
There is no internet connection and no phone at Sopa Choling. For persons on retreat for one month, only emergency communications can be accommodated. (Retreatants will be given an emergency email and phone number through which they can be contacted.)
For retreatants here for more than one month, on the last day of each month they can receive in-coming non-emergency communications, and on the following day (the first of the next month) they can respond to these communications. The retreat coordinator will mail or email these communications for the retreatants.
Personal
All participants will be asked to commit to the five precepts for the duration of their retreat. The five precepts are no lying, no stealing, no killing, no sexual relations and no alcohol. Contemplation and application of the lojong slogans are also part of the daily practice. (Further explanation of how the precepts and lojong practices form the foundation for harmonious community while in retreat are available upon request: sopacholingretreats@gmail.com and will be sent automatically on registering for retreat).
Meals/Diet
There will be three cooked meals a day. The meals are vegetarian with attention to high protein vegetarian content. Meat will be available twice a month in the context of feast practice.
Overview of Daily Schedule
Practice will be in individual rooms except for daily group chants, 10 th, 25th day and Werma feasts. Other group practices will be scheduled for 2-week modules that meet the Shambhala International path requirements, and/or when there are sufficient retreatants doing the same practice.
The daily schedule includes four sessions. (One before breakfast; one between breakfast and lunch; one between afternoon work period and dinner and one after dinner.) The schedule begins at 6AM and ends at 10PM. There are two kinds of rota in a day: Work rota and Group Practice rota (umdzes, etc. for evening chants). There are also feastrotas for 10th and 25th day feasts.
There will be times for walks within the physical boundaries and physical exercise of your choosing in the yoga rooms.
Travel
Transportation to Sopa Choling at Gampo Abbey
The nearest large commercial airport is Halifax, Nova Scotia. Shuttle services between Halifax and the Halifax airport to Gampo Abbey will be arranged on your behalf after confirmation of registration.
Note: Please allow for a day’s travel time for the shuttle between Halifax and Gampo Abbey.
