On Land: Integrating Chakrasamvara, Chandali and Mahamudra

This nine-day tantric retreat at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, brings together Chakrasamvara mandala practice, the inner heat yoga of chandali, and mahamudra. It is led by Dorje Loppön Lodrö Dorje and held in the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. It is meant for Vajrayana practitioners who have already received the Chakrasamvara abhisheka and want to practice the three streams together under close guidance.

What to Expect

The retreat joins Chakrasamvara yidam visualization with the chandali instructions of the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi, and of Thrangu Rinpoche. Combining deity practice with inner yoga and mahamudra is a profound approach, and the retreat takes it slowly, with the instructions given step by step. Participants deepen both generation stage and completion stage, and work with chandali as part of the same path.

Practice takes place in the Great Stupa, where a vivid physical representation of the Chakrasamvara mandala is present. Arrival is on the first afternoon, with check-in at the Guest Services Cabin, followed by orientation and a welcome dinner. The days between are given to guided Chakrasamvara sadhana practice, instruction on the generation and completion stages, chandali and inner yoga teachings, and mahamudra teachings and integration. There are daily meditation sessions in the Stupa, along with group study and discussion of Vajravairochana translations.

The program ends formally on the evening of the eighth day. On the final morning there are optional takedown and clean-up activities for those who can stay, with lunch included before a midday departure.

About Dorje Loppön Lodrö Dorje

Dorje Loppön Lodrö Dorje headed the Office of Three Yana Studies from 1976 through 1990, which supported meditation practice and study of the three yanas for Vajradhatu, now Shambhala. He was designated Dorje Loppön in 1985, in reference to his responsibility for working with Vajrayana students. He continues to support practitioners of the Kagyü and Nyingma traditions, and he promotes Vajrayana and Shambhala practices as mutually enhancing.

The Setting

Drala Mountain Center sits in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya is the heart of this retreat. Several kinds of lodging are available, and all include meals and drinks:

- Dormitories: gender-segregated rooms with up to seven or eight beds, and a shared bathroom with shower stalls down the hall.
- Monk rooms: private rooms with a bed, bedding, closet, large window, desk and chair, with shared bathroom facilities. They are in the same hall as the dormitories and offer more privacy.
- Single and double rooms: more space, a dresser and closet, and an attached bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- Junior suites: a queen-size bed, desk, dresser, closet, sitting area and private bath with a bathtub.
- Off land: for those who commute or arrange their own lodging nearby, such as a bed and breakfast or camping. Meals for three per day and use of the facilities are included.

Meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner with beverages, and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are offered.

Before You Go

The Chakrasamvara abhisheka is a prerequisite. The retreat is advanced, designed for practitioners with foundational Vajrayana training, and it includes subtle-body practices and advanced completion-stage work. It is taught in English.

Tuition covers guided meditation and instruction, group study and discussion, and use of the retreat facilities, with lodging chosen separately. Nine nights of lodging are part of the program. Extra nights before or after are available at a reduced rate. Travel to and from the center and personal incidentals are not included.

The program is hybrid. This listing is for attending in person at Drala Mountain Center, and an online option exists for those who prefer to join from home.