UPCOMING RETREAT: GROUP G

We are currently receiving applications for the next Three Year Retreat, ‘Group G’, which will begin in the fall of 2010. We will accept eight men and eight women for this group.

The Group G retreat will be exactly like the Group E format. It is in four phases:

2010 – 2011: Phase One:

9 months long, this phase will include three months each of Guru Yoga (Gampopa, Milarepa, Marpa); Konchok Chidu and Mahamudra Investigations (Pointing Out the Dharmakaya).

2012 – 2013: Phase Two:

Part One: Inner, Secret Vajrayogini

Part Two: Chakrasamvara: Outer, Inner, Secret and Very Secret

These two retreats are back to back, separated by a short break and training period.

2014: Phase Three:

7 month Six Dharmas of Naropa retreat.

Phase Four:

5 month retreat: Jinasagara and Vajrakrishnachola

The length of time for the break between these two retreats will be determined at a later date.

Phase One of the retreat introduces three Guru Yoga practices from the Kagyu Lineage, which are profound methods for invoking the Guru’s mind and for bringing about the blessings for Mahamudra. We also spend three months practicing the Konchok Chidu sadhana in a complete way, including a fire puja. This phase culminates with three months of Mahamudra Investigation, which is done in complete silence.

The second phase of retreat is an in-depth practice of Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara, and therefore it is an excellent opportunity for any sadhaka in our community to complete these practices. The main qualification is that you have the Chakrasamvara abisheka. The practices you will be doing in retreat are different than the ones you have done before. The Inner Vajrayogini is an excellent bridge between the mahamudra investigations of phase one, and the chandali practice, the first of the Six Dharmas of Naropa in phase three. The Chakrasamvara section of retreat will allow you to complete that practice in full, as outlined in the commentary by Karme Chagme. Several people have done this retreat after having completed their Chakrasamvara individual retreats, and they comment that these new instructions are very helpful. Amending fire offering practices for both yidams take place in an adjoining building which is specially designed for this purpose.

This ten month retreat will be divided into two more or less equal sections. We begin with Vajrayogini, and it is done completely in silence. After a short training break, the Chakrasamvara retreat begins.

The third phase is dedicated to the practice of the Six Dharmas. Three months of this session is spend on the Chandali practice, and the other practices are divided into the final four months.

The fourth phase introduces a new yidam practice, Jinasagara. This is a sadhana of the Red Alvalokiteshvara, which includes outer, inner, secret as well as fire puja. The retreat is concluded with two months of protector practice, Vajrakrishnachola.

For more information about the retreat, and to apply, please contact the Druppon, druppon@gampoabbey.org