Start:
March 15, 2026 10:00 AM
Costa Rica UTC-6
End:
March 21, 2026 12:00 PM
Costa Rica UTC-6
Registration Deadline:
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.
