Vajrayogini Enabling Action Retreat

February 27 – March 21, 2020

Led by Paula Chichester

Vajrayogini is a Maha-Anuttara Yoga Tantra practice that belongs to the Mother Tantra classification. A favorite among Tibetan Buddhists for its simplicity and power, this retreat will feature the generation stage that transforms ordinary view and concept by taking the three bodies into the path, with a taste of the completion stage. We will complete the 100,000 mantra count and perform the fire puja and self-entry practice on the last day. The meditation will emphasize experiential sadhana practice and mahamudra meditation.

During the retreat Paula will offer Q&A and chi gong sessions.

Coinciding with the auspicious, karma-multiplying Days of Miracles, Tushita will take the group to attend His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s traditional public teaching in the morning of the Day of Miracles (March 9). Tushita will also arrange for lamas and experienced meditators to come for Q&A. Depending on availability this could be H.E. Ling Rinpoche, Jhado Rinpoche, Yangten Rinpoche, Khyongla Rato Rinpoche, Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche, Khadro la and others.

About Paula Chichester

Paula Chichester is extremely grateful to have been able to study under many of the great Tibetan Lamas of our time and to have Lama Thubten Yeshe and Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche as her personal guides on the path to enlightenment. After spending the last 40 years in full-time pursuit of Dharma realizations through study and extended retreats, including a 4-year solitary Vajrayogini Great Mantra Retreat, she is happy to share the insights that make meditation full of joy, love, clarity and authenticity. People say that her experiential style of leading meditations helps them to enter the mandala of Vajrayogini.

Requirements to join the Retreat

To apply, you (1) must have already received at least a Great Initiation from the Maha-Anuttara Yoga Tantra classification, and (2) have completed one of Tushita’s 10-day “Introduction to Buddhism” courses (or equivalent).

Tushita will arrange for the Vajrayogini Initiation to be given by a qualified tantric master at the beginning of the retreat. The commitment for the initiation will depend on the tantric master who gives it and will be confirmed on short notice.

For those who have already received a Great Initiation from the Maha-Anuttara Yoga Tantra AND Vajrayogini Initiation:

•Please read two commentaries before coming. For example by: Serkong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, or Geshe Loden (Path to the Union of Clear Light and Illusory Body), or any other two Gelugpa commentaries. These should NOT be read by anyone who has not already received these initiations.

•Also begin to recite at least one mala of the mantra every day for 6 months before the retreat if possible (or starting when you decide to come), so that the retreat begins with ease.

Students are also required to follow our general discipline guidelines, which you see at the bottom of this page.

Additional Practical Notes

•Retreatants must be at Tushita at 1pm on Feb 27th for Check In. Early/late Check Ins cannot be accommodated.

•The retreat will end at 1pm on March 21st.

•To nurture optimal retreat conditions for all participants all electronics (phones, computers, tablets, etc) must be put into our safe for the duration of the retreat. This is irrespective of whether one’s phone has an activated SIM card. No exceptions to this policy will be made. Tushita will not provide internet access to retreatants. Please prepare accordingly.

•It can be very cold during this time, and there is no heating. We strongly advise to come prepared and dress in layers. Paula advises to bring wool hats, socks, sweaters, and a nice, big wool shawl. These will help to keep you comfortably supported in your practices.

•Most of our accommodation is dormitory-style and rooms can NOT be booked in advance. We have a very small number of single rooms, and a very high demand for them. Please let us know if you are of a mature age (i.e. over 50) or have a physical condition which would prioritise you for a single room; although we can’t guarantee any particular kind of room, we will do what we can to make you comfortable given our limited resources. See this link for more information about how our room allocation system works.

•Our FAQ page is full of information which will help you prepare and know what to expect while you are here. Please take 10 minutes to review the information there.

Course Donation

Tushita Meditation Centre operates entirely on the basis of donations, most of which come from people attending our courses and retreats. We ask that you give your full donation for the course in Indian Rupees only (unfortunately we cannot accept Foreign Currency, Travellers Cheques or Credit Cards).

We have calculated the minimum amount that Tushita needs to cover our costs on this 24-day residential retreat, and we ask you to help us by offering at least this amount. Of course, extra donations to help Tushita are always welcome!

The suggested donation for the entire 24-day retreat including accommodation, meals, course materials and fire puja:

Big Dormitory (7-14 beds): 19,200 IR (approx. 240 EU/275 USD)
Small Dormitory (3-4 beds): 21,500 IR 
Single no toilet: 24,000 IR 
Single with toilet: 25,900 IR 

Tushita is happy to fully sponsor this retreat to ordained sangha staying in dormitory accommodation. If any sangha members or students would like to help Tushita in offering this retreat free of charge to sangha, donations will be gratefully received.

Guidelines for Behaviour

Registration

• To register for this retreat, please read ALL of the above information about the retreat before completing the online registration form below.
• Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions for how to make the non-refundable/non-transferable deposit. This deposit will be due immediately.
• If you realize you cannot attend this retreat after you’ve been confirmed please let us know asap about your cancellation, so we can give your spot to somebody else.