The Summer Retreat is an opportunity for young people, ages 16-30s, to spend part of the summer at a meditation retreat center with their peers. We will begin or deepen our meditation practice and understanding of Buddhist teachings, make new friends from around the world, help out the local community, relax, de-stress, and explore the many riches of the Shambhala Buddhist Path, Dechen Chöling (DCL) and the surrounding French countryside.

Content of the program

For a few hours a day we will help out the local community on a special project to enrich Dechen Chöling. This light and fun opportunity helps to keep the program cost to a minimum (around 15-25 Euro per day for food, accommodation, and the program!). The rest of the day will be spent meditating (instruction provided for beginners), practicing contemplative art, studying Buddhism and Meditation in everyday life (specific topics chosen by participants), and engaging with yoga, leadership training, field trips to explore the local culture and history of the Limosin region, with lots of time to have fun and deepen friendships.

As with all Buddhist Youth Project Programmes, the content of this retreat is determined largely by you, and focuses on practical teachings and practices which can be applied to our daily lives. From the requests so far this year, we will include:

• Shambhala Training 1, 2, and 3 (suitable for beginners and those who have already participated)
• Working with emotions, Karma, Love and Relationships, Leadership, Art, Buddhist Psychology, and much more

If you have further topic requests please contact the director, Sophie Maclaren at Sophie_maclaren@shambhala-europe.org

During the last 10 days, we will teach and mentor the children at Family Camp by leading the 3 hour morning children's program, while the parents meditate. This is an opportunity to put our practice into action and create an enriching experience for the children by applying the various techniques and teachings we have learned - compassion, leadership, mindfulness, playfulness, and working with different energies and emotions.

This is a special year for the children's program, as it will include a Rites of Passage program for the 8-9 yr old children in which they are empowered in the practices of meditation, Kyudo and contemplative arts. The program culminates in a big ceremony and celebration in which the children take a warrior's vow to be kind to themselves and others and receive gifts representing compassion, fearlessness, and their own basic goodness.

Workshops will be led by senior teachers and Acharyas. You will be part of a close group who lives, works, practices, and celebrates together.

It is also optional to come early/stay later and be part of the DCL Summer Volunteer Program.

Accommodation

During your stay we will provide large tents on platforms with beds and a bookshelf..

There will also be space to set up your own tent which will give you an additional discount of 50 euro. If you plan to bring your own tent or if you would like to share a tent with a specific person please let us know by sending an email to one of the coordinators.

Program price

The program price covers accommodation, food and the program.

Price: 415 euro (365 euro with own tent)

Contact

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact either of our coordinators- Thomas Koot thomas@buddhistyouthproject.org or Malwina Ulrych malwina@buddhistyouthproject.org.