COURSES & RETREATS
Weekend Meditation Retreats
These meditation retreats offer us a chance to take the weekend and go inwards and work on meditation practice. Whether you are brand new to meditation or have been meditating for some time, engaging in retreat can help us improve how we meditate as well as integrating Buddha’s teachings into our daily life. Each weekend has a particular emphasis so keep a look out for we are offering! Everyone welcome.
Weekend Meditation Retreat Schedule
FRIDAY
Introduction: 7:30-9pm
SATURDAY
Session 1: 9-10am | Session 2: 11am-2:30pm | Session 3: 4:30-6pm | Session 4: 7:30-9pm
SUNDAY
Session 1: 9-10am | Session 2: 11am-12:15pm
The Meditation hall, bookstore & Giftshop, and World Peace Cafe are open during the breaks.
What’s Coming Up
October 2 - 4
The Science of Happiness
Applying the Four Noble Truths to Our Daily Life
The Four Noble Truths is the essence of Buddhist thought and is a clear, precise way to understand our life and how to move forward in it. Understanding the Four Noble Truths helps us accept the pain and problems in our life, understand where they exactly come from, how to free our mind of every trace of suffering, and finally experience lasting freedom.
In this weekend Kadam Donna will take everyone step-by-step through these practices, explaining them clearly and giving ample time to feel their benefits in meditation. We will discover how these incredible teachings can be applied to the basic challenges we experience in our family life, relationships, and work, or in deeper, more spiritually transformative ways. They are limitlessly practical and useful, customizable to exactly what we need. Everyone welcome!
Guided by Kadam Donna Campanelli
Kadam Donna is the Resident Teacher at Vajra Light Kadampa Buddhist Center. She has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism for over 30 years and is a close disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. She is a wonderful example of Modern Buddhism – Dharma integrated into daily life.
November 27 - 29
Every Problem Has
a Spiritual Solution
Meditation is the key to solving problems. There are outer problems, which are situations, and inner problems, which are painful experiences. Inner problems, our real problems, are what make us so unhappy and irritated, and each painful feeling has a cause. Buddha is like a skillful doctor who diagnosed the various painful states of mind we can get stuck in and taught special, spiritual solutions to each type of these problems. This is the most wonderful thing.
In this retreat, we will discover how to identify our problems correctly and use meditation to shift our mind into a more positive state. This will allow us to go through life encouraged and confident. We will start to feel we can handle whatever life throws at us, and this gives us an incredible strength to be there for our friends, family and world. Everyone welcome!
Guided by Gen Kelsang Khedrub
Gen Khedrub has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 30 years. He has served as a Resident Teacher in Chicago and in Seattle, and over the years he has taught special events and led meditation retreats around the country. His heartfelt teachings are presented with clarity and humor that make them accessible to everyone. Through his humility and deep understanding of Buddha’s teachings, Gen Khedrub provides an inspiring example of a contemporary Buddhist practitioner we can follow.
DATES FOR 2027
April 23-25, May 14-16, June 11-13, July 9-11, August 20-22, November 5-7, December 10-12
Registration Details:
There are three parts to registration: course fee, accommodation and meals. Certain types of accommodation may require booking for the full event. Dorm and BYO camping accommodations are usually available by the night. Please confirm availability at booking. Our meals are vegetarian, with vegan and wheat-free options, and are cooked onsite by our resident chef. You can book the entire event or just part of the event.
Full Retreat: $110 per person. Meals included per schedule (Friday and Saturday Dinners, Saturday and Sunday Lunches)
Accommodations: based on booking
Meals:$10/each additional lunch or dinner
Membership Discount:
Basic: no discount | Standard: 50% | Plus: 100%