During this one-month group retreat, we will study the mahayana path of dedicating one's life and practice to rousing awakened heart.

Dathün is a one-month group meditation retreat. Participants are introduced to and guided in mindfulness-awareness meditation. This programme is suitable for relative newcomers as well as experienced students who wish to engage in a period of intensive practice, away from the distractions and business of their everyday lives. Such intensive meditation deepens our understanding of our own mind and can be profoundly life-changing. Each day consists of nine to ten hours of sitting and walking meditation, shamatha yoga sessions, and a short work period. To support the participants' experience, talks on various aspects of meditation practice are offered, and individual meditation instruction is provided every few days. Periods of group silence are observed. Meals are served oryoki-style, a form of meditation adapted from the Zen tradition.

The dathün is a foundation of the Shambhala Buddhist path and is required for more advanced study and practice intensives such as Sutrayana Seminary.

Participants may attend a minimum of 2 weeks of the dathün . Those who have not previously attended a dathün should plan to come at the beginning . We recommend that you plan to attend the entire month.

"Dathün is a pivotal point in one's life, where the profundity of the teachings soak into our core. It is the time and opportunity for us to change, develop and mature.

– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Please have your MI submit a recommendation for you, by e-mail to our front office at dcloffice@dechencholing.org