Four-Week Meditation Retreat – Spring Dathün
Dive into a month of intensive group meditation and discover your own wisdom. A unique and transformative experience open to all. Taught in English. Translation upon request.
A dathün is a monthlong meditation retreat where we can take the time to be with ourselves and touch our humanity. We can fully experience what it means to be alive, and just be who we are: learning to appreciate ourselves and discover our wisdom. This is a precious opportunity in our busy life, a gift that we make to ourselves.
In the first half of the retreat we will explore what helps us to be present. According to the Buddha we are naturally wakeful. From this point of view mindfulness is not a struggle but our natural state of being that we can uncover in the mist of our confusion and uncertainty.
The Shambhala approach to meditation is the main part of the retreat but we will also study and contemplate how we can relax into our own wisdom, and what gives us the confidence to be who we are.
In the second half we will explore the inspiration of the Mahayana path of Buddhism: going beyond the fascination of the self and of our own happiness, to expand our view to constantly include others in our practice and daily activities. To help us we will practice the Sadhana of Kindness composed by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and the contemplation of the Four Immeasurables.
Practice Sessions Include:
Mindfulness and awareness practices
Sitting and walking meditation
Individual meditation instruction
Talks by senior teachers
Body exercise
Study periods
Silence practice
Experiential exercises
Mindful eating practice
For beginners as well as advanced practitioners, this programme will provide a powerful experience, regardless of age or stage in life.
Participants are encouraged to attend the entire Dathün.
Sample Schedule
Each day follows a traditional schedule, incorporating the elements listed above:
7:00am Early Morning Practice Session with body exercises
8:00am Oryoki* Breakfast
9:00am Morning Practice Session
12:30pm Oryoki* Lunch
2:00pm Rota Period
3:00pm Afternoon Practice Session
4:30pm Tea Break
5:00pm Late Afternoon Practice Session
6:45pm Oryoki* Dinner
8:00pm Evening Practice Session
9:00pm End of Day
* We will use this form if there are enough participants.
Oryoki (meaning “just enough” in Japanese) synchronises mind and body by bringing mindfulness to how we eat. Eating oryoki-style, in a prescribed manner and sequence, follows a tradition that began in Zen Buddhist monasteries and has been practiced with Dathüns in the Shambhala tradition since their creation by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Practical information
Arrival day (Friday 4 March): Intro talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.
End of programme (Friday 1 April): Closing circle and Banquet in the evening.
Departure day (Saturday 2 April): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
This programme is taught in English. Free translation into French or other languages needs to be confirmed. Important: translation services are possible only if you register your request at least two months in advance of the programme.
YOUTH PRICE: 30% discount on the full dathün retreat available for participants who are less than 30 years old.Contact us if you are eligible.
