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Residential Retreats

Fall Meditation Retreat

Awakening Together ubuntu
Four Faces of Buddha’s Love in Community

The essence of Dzogchen is wonderment – openness and awareness, a radiant path of awakening. As we come back together again,
we practice the Buddhist Triple Gem, Dzogchen Style: View, Meditation and Action, three steps to freedom. Come and See!

Join our Dzogchen Lama and Sangha for this six-day retreat – moving from me to we – with meditation,
chanting, Q & A, and New Dharma Talks on the Buddha’s Way of Awakening.

October 22-27, 2023
Serra Retreat Center ~ Malibu, California

We are delighted to finally be returning to our residential retreat environment at the Serra Retreat Center in gorgeous
Malibu, California, nestled along the US Pacific Coast. Since 1989, the Dzogchen Center has offered in-person retreat experiences to
thousands of students. W
e have evolved a rhythm that creates an experience that is relaxed but focused, quiet but joyful, intense but expansive. 
At our retreats, nothing is compulsory. Our expectations are that retreatants are mature individuals who know how to use their time productively. 
Noble Silence is practiced from the moment you are settled in until the final closing circle, creating a powerful
tool in reducing the mental chatter that distracts us from seeing the natural state. 
To quiet the mind, to let it settle, words have to stop.

Teachings

Lama Surya Das is an extraordinary teacher who is able to synthesize a vast amount of spiritual knowledge and experience.
The rhythm of Lama Surya Das’ sessions involves chanting, guided meditation, oral pith instruction, teachings, and an extended question
and response session. Lama Surya’s methods transmit essential insights of the Dzogchen view in a direct and accessible manner. Lama uses the question and
response sessions to tailor the discussion to the particular needs of the students in the room, and he encourages everyone to bring their questions so others
can share in the benefit of the dialogue. 
There are at least two teaching sessions each day: mid-morning, afternoon, and some evenings.
Lama Surya will teach most of those sessions. The balance of teaching sessions are offered by other invited lamas and Lama Surya's senior students.

Group Practice

These are meditation sessions, about 45 minutes each. A practice leader will open the session with a short dedication prayer or some chanting followed by 
silent meditation, practicing the methods that Lama Surya has taught. While most people sit on floor cushions, comfortable chairs are also available.

Chanting

In chant the power of sound connects us with ourselves, one another, and the divine. It is an ancient, tried and true form of meditation and prayer.
One of the most transformative and nonsectarian spiritual practices, chanting almost immediately takes us out of our heads and beyond the mind,
into realms of pure spirit and bliss. It helps us discover the spiritual breath and cosmic energy (prana in Sanskrit) inside the physical breath.
Monks and nuns, shamans, yogis, dervishes, chant masters, pilgrims, cantors, singers, and musicians have long known this universal secret.

Accommodations

Serra Retreat Center has been holding residential retreats for over 70 years. They offer single and double rooms with shared
bathrooms (between two rooms.)
 
Their delicious meal options accomodate vegetarian and vegan diets.
For more information, please visit their website- https://serraretreat.com/
.


Sample Daily Schedule
Please note, opening day check-in takes place from 3 PM to 6 PM. Closing day departure takes place after lunch (around 1 PM.)


AM AWAKENING

6:00 AM   Group Meditation (45 min)

7:00 AM   Tibetan Energy Yoga (45 min)

8:00 AM   Breakfast

9:00 AM   Refuge Practice Session (45 min)

10:15 AM Teaching/Guided Meditation (90 min)

12:00 PM  Lunch

2:00 PM   Teaching/Guided Meditation (90 min)

3:45 PM   Practice Q & R Session (45 min)

5:00 PM   Group Meditation (45 min)

6:00 PM   Dinner

7:00 PM   Group Chanting/Guided Meditation (60-75 min)

8:30 PM   Group Meditation (30 min)

Rest

The time between sessions may be used for individual meditation, sky-gazing, mindful nature walks, exercise, or relaxing. These are just a few examples. Participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they wish.

Lama says: “Please try to practice noble silence and noble solitude, be present to each and every moment, and stay off the grid and out of books
and the news. Join us in retreat here at this sacred sanctuary overlooking
the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Thank you very much.”


Please review our COVID-19 and Payment Policy below

COVID-19 Policy 
In an effort to protect our dear Lama, staff, and attendees, the Dzogchen Center & Foundation requests:

  Safety Protocols

  • all guests self-test (at home antigen test is acceptable) within the 48-hour window prior to arriving at Serra Retreat Center.
  • all guests bring an additional self-test kit with them.
  • any guest who exhibits cold symptoms (coughing or sneezing) must use a mask in public spaces, otherwise, masks will be encouraged but not required. Please bring a supply of masks.
  • any guest who tests positive for COVID-19 during the retreat will be unable to remain at Serra Retreat Center for the duration of the retreat; Dzogchen Center does not have the ability or expertise to support you. For those who need to make travel arrangements–particularly those who flew to CA—we can accommodate a brief stay in quarantine accommodations separate from the active retreat container while you make plans to depart. 
  • all guests prepare an exit strategy should they test positive for COVID-19 while at Serra.
  • if a guest tests positive within 3-5 days after departure, please contact us immediately.


Payment Policy

  Payments & Cancellations

  • A deposit of $500 is required in order to register for a residential retreat.
  • Alternatively, the registration fee may be paid in full upon registration.
  • Online registration will void if not completed within 15 minutes.
  • Registration balances not paid in full three weeks prior to retreat are subject to cancellation.
  • Please review our full cancellation policy here.



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