Sphere of Refined Gold Retreat Fall 2020

 

We are delighted to announce that from the 23rd of September until the 7th of November 2020, Gomde Pyrénées will host the next retreat in our ongoing series: a six week retreat based on the teachings from the Sphere of Refined Gold. There is an option to join this intensive practice retreat online if you are unable to travel.

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche often encourages us to spend as much time as possible in study, reflection, and meditation. He tells us that one of the most meaningful things we can do with this precious human life is to spend time in retreat. This time brings benefit to yourself, but also brings great benefit to others. Gomde Pyrénées is a unique place that truly displays all the features of a mountain retreat hermitage.

The retreat schedule will be per usual for this series: two group practice sessions: Vajrasattva in the mornings and protectors in the afternoons; four individual practice sessions in one’s own room, cabin or tipi, plus a group session to watch teachings each day before lunch.

During these uncertain times, we understand that all those who might wish to practice intensively might be unable to travel here. Therefore, we are very delighted to welcome you to join our retreat through the power of technology – participate in the intensive virtual retreat from your own home.

Our retreat master is Lama Tenzin Sangpo. Lama-la has led all the previous retreats in this series and is very helpful in giving advice for everyone’s individual practice. When he is in residence, Lama will lead the two daily group sessions, share explanations with us during the daily teaching sessions, and is also available to answer questions.

To participate in the retreat one would ideally have received:

• the Vajrasattva empowerment in the Chokling Tersar Lineage
• teachings on  Sphere of Refined Gold from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche or another highly qualified master.

The minimum prerequisites are to have a strong foundation in Buddhist practice through both study and time spent in retreat, and to have received teachings on the great perfection from a highly qualified master.  If you have additional questions about your eligibility, please let us know and we will discuss them with Lama Tenzin.

We have a very limited number of spaces available for the retreat on location, so in order to be fair we will assign rooms and spaces in the order of emails received.

Depending upon the number of applications, there might be a possibility to participate for either the first or second three weeks.  Please understand that preference is given to people who can commit to doing the full retreat. If you can only do half of the retreat, please let us know of your interest.

For those of you not able to travel due to the current COVID restrictions, we sincerely wish to encourage you to join us by participating from your own location.

We will offer various online options to allow those of you who have previously participated in our Sphere of Refined Gold Three Month Retreat series to join the retreat practice. We Will offer three options:

1. join for a single weekend (Friday evening until Sunday) intensive plus daily practice commitment
2. join for all weekends intensive plus daily practice commitment
3. or join for the entire 6-week retreat.

This type of retreat entails some serious practice commitment from each of you. Thus, although we offer a “single weekend” option of intensive practice, Lama-la strongly suggests that before you decide to register for this retreat you make the aspiration to practice intensively. Thus we encourage you to maintain at least 2 sessions a day–one morning, and one evening–during this 6-week period. Such a commitment will help you get the most out of this experience.

For those of you already practicing 2 daily sessions within the TTE program, Lama-la suggests that during the week you may continue with your Tara practice during these 2 sessions, but on the weekends that you join the group in practicing Vajrasattva. If you have any questions about structuring your practice, we are happy to work with you.

For each option, we will provide all support material required for you to practice in your personal retreat space.

Applications for this retreat are open, to register your interest, receive more information, or apply for the retreat on location at Gomde, please email: retreatinpyrenees@gomde.fr

To apply or to request more information about participation in the intensive virtual retreat, please email: onlineretreats@gomde.fr