Winter Retreats
January 8 - March 18
The Oral Instructions
of Mahamudra Retreat
with Gen Samten Kelsang, Kadam Michelle Gauthier,
and Gen Kelsang Zamling
An application for those who wish to attend 4 weeks or more available from September 9th to 16th.
This year's retreats are based on Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's book The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra. They are designed for practitioners who already have some grounding in Kadampa Buddhist meditation and who want to take their practice to the next level. Over ten weeks, we work directly with the timeless instructions that have guided countless practitioners to the actual realization of Mahamudra.
The retreat emphasizes the practice of silence, with some weeks in full silence and some weeks in partial silence. Observing silence deepens of our concentration and reduces distraction during retreat. As our internal chatter subsides we discover a stillness that allows us to easily connect with the teachings we listen to while on retreat as well as naturally increase our capacity for spiritual practice.
You're welcome to join the full ten weeks or by the week.
These retreats assume an existing familiarity with Buddhist teachings and practice. If you haven't yet read Modern Buddhism (free to download as an e-book), it is necessary to do so beforehand - it will help you get the most from the retreat.
PART 1: THE FOUNDATION FOR MAHAMUDRA
January 8 - 14 | Partial Silence
Developing Renunciation Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
January 15 - 21 | Partial Silence
Lojong Training Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
PART 2: THE ACTUAL MAHAMUDRA
January 22 - 28 | Full Silence
Tranquil Abiding Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
January 29 - February 4 | Full Silence
Superior Seeing Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
February 5 - 11 | Full Silence
Vajrayogini Self-Generation Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
February 12 - 18 | Full Silence
Completion Stage Retreat w/Gen Samten Kelsang
PART 3: THE FOUR GREAT PRELIMINARY GUIDES
February 19 - 25 | Partial Silence
Refuge Preliminary Retreat with Kadam Michelle
February 26 - March 4 | Partial Silence
Vajrasattva Preliminary Retreat with Kadam Michelle
March 5 - 11 | Partial Silence
Guru Yoga Preliminary Retreat with Gen Zamling
March 12 - 18 | Partial Silence
Mandala Offering Preliminary Retreat with Gen Zamling
Gen Samten Kelsang
One of Venerable Geshe‑la’s senior disciples with decades of meditative and teaching experience, Gen Samten Kelsang is the Resident Teacher at KMC New York, and teaches throughout the US and around the world. He is renowned for the clarity of his teachings, ability to help students improve their practice, and his skill in leading practitioners to profound meditative insights.
Kadam Michelle Gauthier is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Washington DC and has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for more than 30 years. She is an inspiring example of Modern Buddhism in practice. She presents Buddha’s teachings with beautiful clarity, warmth and sincerity, skillfully guiding people from all walks of life to find inner peace and lasting happiness.
Gen Kelsang Zamling is the Resident Teacher at KMC Chicago. He has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years, and has taught in the United States and in the UK. Gen Zamling is known for his practical approach, warmth, and clarity and sets an immaculate example of someone who has taken Buddha's teachings to heart.
Retreat Fees & Important Registration Information
General registration goes live Wednesday, September 23 at 2:00pm (EDT)*
*Please note, we are offering an application from September 9-16 for those who wish to book early to attend and stay onsite for at least four consecutive weeks of retreat, but we will prioritize those who wish to stay for the full ten weeks of retreat.
Retreat Costs
Weekend (Friday - Sunday): $50
Weekly (Friday - Thursday): $100
Please note: a 10% discount on retreat fees is applied to seven or more consecutive full weeks of retreats.
Due to the nature of these retreats, we do not offer drop-ins for days or individual sessions.
Accommodations
IMPORTANT:We are offering an application from September 9-16 for those who wish to attend and stay onsite for at least four consecutive weeks of retreat, and we will prioritize those who wish to stay for the full ten weeks of retreat. Please do not fill this out if you are wishing to do the Heruka Close Retreat. Visit the Heruka Close Retreat page for more information on registering for this retreat.
Please use the chart below to see accommodation options and prices. Please note for accommodations (not including meals) booked for 2 consecutive weeks, a 20% discount is applied; for 3 to 6 consecutive weeks, a 30% discount is applied; and for 7 or more consecutive weeks or more, a 40% discount is applied.
Onsite Meals
Vegetarian, vegan and/or wheat-free lunches and dinners are available each day for $8 each. Breakfast is available for $5 each for those staying offsite but must be pre-booked. It is included in the onsite accommodation fees. All of our meals are home-cooked. We use fresh and local produce where possible.
Registration Notes:
The nature of our retreats requires a harmonious and supportive environment for all participants. Our primary concern is ensuring the well-being and safety of all participants. Because of this, we will check references from Resident Teacher or center managers before confirming someone’s retreat.
The Heruka Close Retreat is a set price of $250 regardless of the number of weeks/days the person stays. More information about the Close Retreat can be found here.
Each guided retreat in the Oral Instructions of Mahamudra Retreat starts Friday evening and ends Thursday at lunchtime (6 nights).
For accommodations (not including meals) booked for 2 consecutive weeks, a 20% discount is applied; 3 to 6 consecutive weeks, a 30% discount is applied; and for 7 to 10 consecutive weeks or more, a 40% discount is applied.
A 10% discount is applied to the retreat fee for the 7th to 10th consecutive week of retreat.
Private rooms (deluxe, singles, doubles) and ensuite twins and triples must be booked for 6-night blocks from Friday to Thursday (i.e. the full week of retreat). Partial bookings are not available for private rooms or ensuite triples, i.e. someone would not be able to book for a weekend, for 10 nights or 23 nights but could book for 6 nights, 13 nights, 20 nights, etc.
Twin and triple rooms are booked by the bed. You will be staying with other people of the same gender in these rooms.
Dorm and shared room accommodations are available for partial bookings with a 2-night minimum for most of the retreat, except for the Tranquil Abiding Retreat (Jan 22-28). Due to the popularity of this week of retreat, from January 22-28, dorm and shared room accommodations must be booked for 6 nights from Friday to Thursday (i.e. the full week of retreat). On January 8, we will open any available shared or dorm spaces to those who wish to book for the weekend.
Those wishing to book for a private room or shared/dorm accommodations for at least four consecutive weeks up to the full ten weeks of retreat can apply from September 9-16 to inquire about availability. We will prioritize those who wish to stay for the full ten weeks of retreat. General registration opens on September 23 at 2pm EDT. At this time, any private rooms, ensuite twins or ensuite triples still available, these will be open to 6-night minimum stays.
Due to the importance of attending the introduction and start of retreat, all retreat bookings must be booked starting Friday night.
Week-long and weekend retreat bookings are available for those staying offsite. Due to the importance of attending the introduction and start of retreat, these must be booked starting Friday night.