Start:
March 15, 2026 10:00 AM
Costa Rica UTC-6
End:
March 21, 2026 12:00 PM
Costa Rica UTC-6
Registration Deadline:
February 22, 2026
We joyfully invite you to take part in a historic moment — the very first retreat at Dewachen, Lama Dorje's sanctuary for Dharma practice in the lush mountains of Costa Rica.
This gathering will be a simple and heartfelt offering to the land, a time to connect with nature, community, mantra and the wisdom that flows through all elements.
It will also be an opportunity to help build the spiritual foundation of Dewachen — to bless its earth with elemental altars, awaken its waters with prayer, and fill its sky with the sound of Dharma, practice, and joy.
Guided by Drupon Lama Dorje Rinpoche and Carolina Putnam, we will enter into a week of sacred teachings, contemplation, breath, and ritual through the path of the Five Dakinis — each day dedicated to one element, one poison, and one wisdom.
IN THE VAJRAYANA PATH, THE FIVE ELEMENTS: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space — are not only the building blocks of the outer world but also subtle aspects of our inner experience. When the elements are imbalanced, they give rise to the five poisonous emotions: pride, attachment, anger, jealousy, and ignorance. The presence of these inner toxins are what create challenges in our life and our world. Through awareness and practice, these poisons are transformed into five corresponding wisdoms:
- EARTH: Pride into equanimity
- WATER: Anger into mirror-like wisdom
- FIRE: Attachment into discriminating awareness
- AIR: Jealousy into all-accomplishing wisdom
- SPACE: Ignorance into the wisdom of Dharmadatu, the vast expanse of awakened mind
THE PRACTICAL SYMBOL OF THE DAKINI:
Dakini means “sky dancer” and more precisely translating to “one who dances with compassion through emptiness.” This refers to the true nature of our mind when we are able to skillfully transform the poisons into their pure state of energy. The 5 Elements, 5 poisons, and 5 wisdoms are given form and meaning through the symbol of the Dakini as a practical path for transforming everyday life challenges into the path of awakening. So this teaching is not something far fetched and mythical, it is a skillful method used by advanced Yogis of Tibet to let go of negative habits and awaken a loving and happy mind.
THE DAKINI TRANSCENDS NOTIONS OF GENDER, though usually represented as an enlightened female. Therefore this practice of working with the elemental Dakinis has proven for countless centuries to be beneficial to people of all identities, genders, orientations, shapes, and forms. Everybody is welcome to benefit from this practice .
THE PRACTICE: Through tsa lung practice, visualization, mantra circles, Dakini teachings, and daily offerings to the natural elements around us, we will learn to recognize these energies within ourselves; restoring balance, vitality, and clarity. These practices are not invented. They are tried and true methods that have been passed down through generations of realized masters to solidly support emotional and mental transformation.
Here is an example of a day during the retreat:
MORNING PRACTICE: Tibetan yogic breath work (Tsa Lung) and Guru Yoga (merging your mind with love) to harmonize the channels and awaken inner vitality in our subtle body.
DAYTIME ACTIVITIES: Profound teachings by Drupon Lama Dorje Rinpoche on one Dakini element per day, reflection time in nature, creative time making sacred altars in nature as a practice of transforming the elements, and joyful community activities and mantras.
Each participant will have an opportunity to bring small offerings for each element (for example: wind chimes for air, statues/ crystals for earth, lights for fire, etc.) to be part of creating sacred spaces and altars around the land for the benefit of all!
EVENING PRACTICE: Invocation of Dharmapala Achi, the great protector of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. The retreat will culminate with an Achi Empowerment, bestowing blessings for strength, clarity, and protection.
This retreat is not only a practice — it is the birth of a mandala.
As we gather for the first time on this sacred land, our prayers, footsteps, and songs will leave an imprint that will guide future generations of practitioners.
Each person’s presence will help infuse Dewachen with your prayers, aspirations, and creativity— transforming it into a living space of compassion, meditation, and community. You will be making altars and adding your creative touch to the sacredness of Dewachen.
Participants will also have moments to explore the land, meet others, and share in the joy of co-creating something new and beautiful.
If you feel a calling in your heart, we invite you to fill out this form and be among the first to step into Dewachen’s unfolding story. This retreat has limited capacity and we expect will fill very quickly. We will notify you as soon as costs, housing, and further details are posted. Please be sure to let us know you are interested.
This option offers a spacious tent with a divider, providing individual spaces for two participants. The tent is set within the peaceful grounds of Dewachen with a spectacular view, and both chambers inside the tent have an individual bed and bedding provided. It is a simple and grounded way to stay close to nature and the rhythms of the land during the retreat.
-Shared tent (2 participants with divider in between)
-Set on a grassy terrace overlooking the mountains
-Shared outside bathroom facilities- with discrete outdoor shower and dry toilets
-Bed, bedding, and towel provided
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
A cozy upstairs room in the forest lodge with a bunk bed. Enjoy an outdoor terrace overlooking nature, and bunk with a friend or new guest. Access to a shared bathroom with hot showers downstairs. If you wish to share the room with a specific person, please indicate this in the registration form.
-One bed (top or bottom)
-Room shared by 1 other individual of the same gender in the other bunk
-Room is located upstairs in a Large shared house with kitchen
-Shared bathroom with hot water (shared with up to 5 participants total)
-Wide forest and jungle views
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
This option is a spacious loft located on the main floor of the Forest Lodge, surrounded by lush gardens and wide, open forest views. The room offers a sense of privacy and spaciousness, with an individual bed located in a mezzanine loft, accessed by a ladder. The loft room is shared with 2 other participants in a queen bed below the loft. This option is suitable for participants who are comfortable climbing and would like their own personal sleeping space.Large bedroom with kitchenette and living area
-One individual bed in a mezzanine loft (accessed by a ladder)
-Located one the main floor of the Forest Lodge
-Inside a shared house with community kitchen
-Shared bathroom on same floor (shared with up to 5 participants total)
-Wide forest and jungle views
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
This option offers an individual private room located within a charming rustic lodge, surrounded by peaceful gardens and forest. The room provides a quiet, cozy space and a close connection to nature, ideal for participants who value privacy while remaining part of a shared lodge environment.
-Individual private room
-Located in a charming rustic lodge
-Shared bathroom facilities with hot water (downstairs)
-Peaceful garden and forest surroundings
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
This option offers an individual bed on a covered open-aired terrace extending from the lodge. The terrace is a wooden and spacious deck, covered by an extensive high ceiling roof (no walls). Individual beds are thoughtfully arranged with cute netting around the bed and accordion-style dividers to provide privacy and comfort, while allowing participants to experience sleeping close to nature.
-Individual bed on a covered open-air terrace
-Mosquito net and accordion dividers for privacy
-Located in a charming rustic lodge
-Shared bathroom facilities with hot water (downstairs)
-Peaceful garden and forest surroundings
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
This option offers two individual beds in a shared cabin with private bathroom, creating a simple and supportive retreat environment. If you wish to share the cabin with a specific person, please indicate this in the registration form.
-Individual bed
-Shared cabin with one other participant of the same gender
-Private bathroom with hot water
-Wide forest and mountain views
This price is for one person and includes accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
This option is a spacious room located on the main floor of the Forest Lodge with a cozy bed nook, kitchenette, and living area, with a loft above where one other individual will sleep. It is surrounded by lush gardens and wide, open forest views. This option includes a queen bed on the main level, offering a comfortable and cozy space for a couple or two friends who wish to share.
-Large bedroom with cozy bed nook, kitchenette, and living area
-Queen bed on main level (shared by two people)
-One person will sleep above this area on the loft in same room
-Located in the Forest Lodge
-Inside a share house with community kitchen
-Shared bathroom on the same floor (shared with up to 5 participants total)
-Wide forest and Mountain views
This price is for two people and includes shared accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials for both participants.
A private forest cabin offering a queen bed and private bathroom, ideal for couples attending the retreat together. Wake up to vast views and enjoy the simple silence of nature with your loved one or a dear friend.
1 Queen bed
Private cabin
Private bathroom with hot water
Wide forest and mountain views
This price is for two people and includes shared accommodation, full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials for both participants.
This option is for participants who live nearby and will be commuting daily to Dewachen rather than staying on-site. Commuter participants are fully included in the retreat experience and are warmly welcomed into the daily rhythm of practice and community. Commuter participants are asked to arrive on time each day and to plan their transportation independently. This option includes:
-Full retreat tuition
-All daily meals, prepared on-site with fresh, organic ingredients
-Access to and use of the Dewachen land and practice spaces throughout the retreat
-All retreat materials and scheduled activities
This price is for one person and includes full retreat tuition, all meals, and retreat materials.
