Karma Yoga

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

This retreat is intended for those who wish to actively participate in the life of the monastery while experiencing a meaningful and immersive environment. The days will be structured around morning practice sessions, shared meals, moments of reflection, and hands-on work to maintain and improve the site.

Teachings

In general, Dzogchen teachings can be presented in six categories: View, Samaya, Meditation, Practice, Activity, and Result. Together, these form a complete framework that encompasses the whole of the Dzogchen path. Each category builds logically on the previous ones—for instance, without the View of Dzogchen, it is impossible to maintain the Samaya of Dzogchen; without Samaya, true Meditation is not possible, and so on.

Over the course of this six-day retreat, Shedrub Lopön Lodoe Tsukphü will introduce one of these six aspects each day, both in theory and through guided reflection or application.

We will explore the following points in particular:

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

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

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

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

• Activity – What is Dzogchen activity, and how is it carried out?

• Result – What is the result of Dzogchen practice, and how is it attained?

Each afternoon, the morning teachings will be integrated, applied, or reflected upon.As Shedrub Lopön says: “Karma yoga of the view, the samaya, the meditation, the practice, the activity, and the result.”

Planned Tasks

• Cleaning and treating the wood of the Thögal House

• Repairing or building a new door for the Farmer’s House

• Garden maintenance (lawn mowing, tree trimming, etc.)

• Painting the central kitchen

• Painting the exterior walls of the dining hall and kitchen

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

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

• Spreading gravel in the courtyard and along the Château paths

Participation

The tasks require good physical condition and a serious commitment.We are looking for motivated participants, ready to work with endurance and care.A selection process will ensure that participants are well suited to the nature of the activities.