Spring Dathün – Intensive Meditation Retreat
Intensive Month of Meditation. A unique and transformative experience open to all. Dive into a month of intensive group meditation and discover the healing power of this art. Taught in English. Translation upon request.
Dathün might just change your life!
“The mind is very wild. The human experience is full of unpredictability and parrot, joys and sorrows, successes and failures. We can’t escape any of these experiences in the vast terrain of our existence. It is part of what makes life grand – and it is also why our minds take us on such a crazy ride. If we can train ourselves through meditation to be more open and more accepting toward the wild arc of our experience, if we can lean into the difficulties of life and the ride of our minds, we can become more settled and relaxed amid whatever life brings us.”
– Pema Chödrön in “How to Meditate“
Through rich and profound meditation techniques, a Dathün is an exploration of our humanness, welcoming anyone interested in making friends with who they are, at a fundamental level. Literally meaning ‘moon session’, a Dathün is a month-long programme dedicated to the sitting practice of meditation. From early morning to evening we use our time to develop a friendly, genuine yet caring, relationship with our body, speech and mind.
“One does not try to be basically good, one simply recognizes that one is basically good. This is how we feel, be, and touch the primal sense of who we are.“ – Sakyong Mipham
During this programme you will be introduced to Shambhala Meditation: Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s new practice of connecting directly with basic goodness as the ground for meditation practice and everyday life.
View and meaning of Shambhala Meditation will be also explored through the experiential study of Basic Goodness as exemplified in the “Basic Goodness Series” of the Shambhala path. The content of the three courses “Basic Goodness of Being Human, of Society and of Reality” will be given by teachings on basic goodness, contemplations and contemplative discussion as well as personal investigation of the three questions “Who am I? How can I help? What is real?” *
For beginners as well as advanced practitioners, this programme will provide a powerful experience, regardless of age or stage in life. A Dathün consists of individual meditation instruction, guided meditation, contemplation, and dharma talks, which develop insight and open our hearts towards compassion. Each day follows a traditional schedule, with periods of sitting and walking meditation, exercises, chants, and a short work session. Functional silence is observed for most of the retreat and we practice mindful eating.
Participants are encouraged to attend the entire Dathün. Those who are able to attend only two or three weeks are very welcome to do so. The Dathün fulfills group practice requirements for the Shambhala Buddhist path.
Find registration for first two weeks here and registration for second two weeks here.
* Basic Goodness courses:
Course 1: Who am I? The Basic Goodness of Being Human – week 2
Course 2: How can I help? The Basic Goodness of Society – week 3
Course 3: What is real? The Basic Goodness of Reality – week 4
Practical information
Arrival day (Friday 23 February): Intro talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.
End of programme (Thursday 22 March): Closing circle and Banquet in the evening.
Departure day (Friday 23 March): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
This programme is taught in English. Free translation into French or other languages needs to be confirmed. Important: translation services are possible only if you register your request at least two months in advance of the programme.
