Karma Yoga Retreat

Karma Yoga Retreat

Before the April retreat with Khenchen Rinpoche, we are organizing a Karma Yoga retreat. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to combine spiritual practice with community engagement in a peaceful and inspiring setting. In addition to service activities, participants will receive a teaching in the afternoon.

This retreat is designed for those who wish to actively contribute to the life of the monastery while experiencing an immersive retreat. The daily schedule will include morning practice sessions, shared meals, moments of reflection, and practical work to maintain and improve the site.

Teachings

In general, Dzogchen teachings can be categorized into six aspects: view, samaya, meditation, practice, activity, and result. This classification allows for a comprehensive presentation of the entire Dzogchen path. Each category logically builds upon the others: without the Dzogchen view, for example, one cannot observe Dzogchen samaya; without observing Dzogchen samaya, Dzogchen meditation cannot take place, and so forth.

During this six-day retreat, Shedrub Lopon Lodoe Tsukphü will introduce us to one of these six categories each day, both theoretically and practically.

We will explore the following topics:

• View – What is the Dzogchen view, and how can it be recognized?

• Samaya – What is Dzogchen samaya, and how can it be maintained?

• Meditation – What is Dzogchen meditation, and how is it practiced?

• Practice – What is the Dzogchen method of practice, and how is it applied?

• Activity – What is the Dzogchen mode of action, and how is it performed?

• Result – What is the Dzogchen result, and how is it achieved?

In the afternoon, the morning teachings will be integrated, applied, or reflected upon. As Shedrub Lopon puts it: "The karma yoga of view, samaya, meditation, method of practice, activity, and results."

Planned Work Projects

• Cleaning and treating the wooden structure of the Thögal house

• Repairing or making a new door for the Farmer’s house

• Garden maintenance (mowing the lawn, trimming trees, etc.)

• Painting the central kitchen

• Painting the exterior walls of the refectory and kitchen

• Deep cleaning of the Château (preparing for the retreat season: cleaning windows, common areas, dish storage, Longère, Farmer’s House, etc.)

• Cleaning the garage and surrounding area (optional, depending on gravel availability)

• Laying gravel in the courtyard and Château pathways

Participation Requirements

The tasks require good physical condition and commitment. We are therefore looking for motivated participants who are ready to work with diligence and endurance. A selection process will be conducted to ensure that each person is suited for the tasks involved.

Registration

Registration is by selection—please write to onsite-manager@shenten.org specifying your motivations and skills.

We look forward to sharing this experience of service, practice, and community with you!

Daily Schedule

• 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM – Sangchöd and meditation

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM – Teaching

• 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM – Karma Yoga

• 8:00 PM - 9:15 PM – Meditation and Chöd practice