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Start:
February 23, 2025 2:00 PM
Costa Rica UTC-6
End:
March 1, 2025 11:00 AM
Costa Rica UTC-6
Location:
Registration Deadline:
February 9, 2025
The fresh rivers, fruits, flowers, and trees have a way of bringing you back to yourself. Yet to truly experience the beauty of the world, it is essential to skillfully calm our thoughts and touch the deep wellspring of wisdom within.
We are fortunate that Drupon Lama Dorje comes from a long line of meditation masters that have passed down simple yet profound meditation instructions for more than 2500 years with the intention to bring lasting benefit to our lives.
We will learn "The Great Shravasti Meditation", which is a step by step presentation of Shamatha, Vipassana, and Mahamudra meditations that introduce the nature of mind through the Mindfulness of Breath.
This is a special method of introducing us to the nature of mind based on the Anapanasati Sutra taught by the Buddha, yet explained from a Vajrayana perspective.
By connecting to our breath, we will experience directly the mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feelings, mindfulness of mind, and mindfulness of phenomena through 16 sequential steps.
This particular simple yet profound method is taught in a unique way by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche (head of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage), whom requested Lama Dorje to begin sharing this practice in Costa Rica.
We will learn how follow our breath to work with our thoughts and emotions, stabilize our mind, and experience our subtle (peaceful) mind through introspection.
This practice will be complimented by specific Indio-Tibetan yogic breath work practices to center our mind and clear our inner channels.
We have put together a nicely balanced retreat with meaningful conversation time at the beginning and end, yogic breath exercises each day to loosen limbs for meditation, question and answer sessions daily with Lama, and just the right amount of silence to find deep inner connection.
Our lives can be so busy and full. We learn something, and forget it the same day. Engaging in Noble Silence with a supportive container and guidance by an experienced Tibetan Lama, can help us calm our minds and have the time to go a lot deeper. In this way, the wisdom we learn can stick with us and actually integrate into our day to day lives. We learn to meet the ups and downs of life with wisdom and grace.
(4 out of the 6 days are full silence)
Day 1: Teachings + Meaningful conversation
Days 2-5: Silence all day + evening written Q&A with Lama
Day 6: Closing Ceremony+ Meaningful conversation
This retreat is for practitioners of all levels.
If this is your first time meditating, you will learn tools and techniques that gradually bring you into a practice of mindfulness that supports your daily life.
If you are a long term practitioner you will appreciate the profound depth of nuances in the way this sutra is presenting Mahamudra.
As a support to our practice, we will disconnect from our cell phones and devices for the duration of the retreat.
Dharma books and journaling are welcome!
-Morning yogic breath exercises
(helps to loosen limbs and prevent discomforts in meditation )
-Sitting meditation
-Walking meditation
-Eating Meditation
-Daily Prayers
(Chairs can be provided for those with physical pain)
You get close interaction time with Lama Dorje
Personalized responses to your questions about meditation
It is so precious to learn Calm Abiding, Vipassana, and Mahamudra from this unique Tibetan perspective
It is taught in Spanish and English
Costa Rica is marvelous
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Daily morning breath work and movement
4 sessions of silent meditation practice with Drupon Lama Dorje daily
Translation
3 delicious vegetarian meals a day
Q&A sessions daily with Lama Dorje to fine tune your meditation
Nature walks and meditation
Guidance from an authentic and experienced meditation retreat master ("Drupon")
We do our best to keep prices economic, yet Costa Rica has a high cost of living.
We rent the retreat center- which is the majority of the cost.
We are working towards building retreat cabins at Lama's land as soon as possible so in the future it’s more economic.
In the mean time, we offer a lower price tier for mezzanine loft.
Plus we have a Dharma Buddy Program
Invite a buddy to enjoy the Dharma with you, get 10% - 40% off the second ticket
Steps:
1.) Register yourself by December 1st
2.) Write us an email that you are bringing a friend
3.) We will send you a discount code for your second ticket.
40% off the Shared Elegant Cabin tier... OR ....20% off the Shared Glamping.... OR... 10% off Shared Mezzanine Loft.
4.) Your friend must register by December 1st using that code
5.) You and your friend work it out between yourselves how you want to split the discount so that each of you benefit.
6.) You can choose if you want to stay in the same shared room as your buddy, or you can choose to stay in separate shared rooms with a guest of our choice.
*Cancellation & Refund Policy*
A mountain like a green carpet where you can hear the sound of a crystal clear river and the song of the birds; where your eyes will be amazed with the colors of the flowers that sprout in the gardens and in the native forests; where your lungs will breathe pure air and you will see the water springin from the springs of the earth. Imagine a place where people trust in goodness and have the best willingness to assist you and help connect you to the beauty that dwells in you.
Located at an elevation of 4000 ft, the cool nights and warm days make the climate at La Montana Azul the perfect balance.
TRAVEL INFO TO ARRIVE TO VENUE:
We recommend staying in an airbnb in Alajuela near the airport the night of the 21st or 22nd, and traveling the 4-5 hour drive to Chirripo the following morning.
From San Jose (Alajuela) you can get to the center 3 ways:
1. EASIEST: A direct shuttle from the airport to the retreat center. (4.5 hours) and $50 USD per person, with a minimum of 4 people.
2. PRIVATE: Book a private taxi from Alajuela directly to the center. 4.5 hours drive. Costs between $200-250 USD
3. PUBLIC: Take the MUSOC bus from San Jose/Alajuela to San Isidro del General (4 hours) for $10 USD. Then take an Uber from San Isidro General to Finca Mia (30min) for about $40 USD.
**Your program coordinator Sara Alvarez is here to help you every step of the way to help with your travel arrangements so no worries! Reach out if you need support.
