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. We 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.)