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Practice from Afar

"Winter has become my favorite time of year, and it's because of Retreat from Afar. My practice is most stable during those three months. I tangibly feel the support of everyone doing the retreat at the Abbey and around the world."

  Susan Mitchell
  Cataldo, Idaho


Practice from Afar (en Español)

Every winter the residents of Sravasti Abbey do three months of retreat. While a few guests can join us in person each year, dozens and even hundreds can join by doing the Retreat from Afar.

To extend the retreat experience, we offer the opportunity to do the Retreat from Afar and make a connection with the retreat by participating along with us.

Join us this winter for 

Chenrezig Retreat
January 14, 2013 – March 4, 2013

By doing a daily practice during the same dates as the retreat, you develop your Dharma practice while feeling the support of the Abbey residents who are doing the same. You also give your support to those of us doing the retreat at the Abbey, encouraging our practice.

The Abbey has offered the Retreat from Afar for several years, and people have loved doing it. They maintained a regular daily practice, deepened their understanding of the Dharma, and gained many insights into their lives.Last winter, over 240 people joined the Retreat from Afar! We enjoy seeing their photos each time we entered the meditation hall to do sessions.

To participate you commit to at least one practice session of the Chenrezig sadhana, including 2,268 recitations (21 malas) of the short mantra, om mani padme hum, every day.

Retreatants from Afar can study past teachings on the Chenrezig practice found on ThubteChodron.org. You can stay in touch with the retreat through Bodhisattva Breakfast Corner videos and on Facebook.

If you would like to participate in the Retreat from Afar, please email our coordinator, and let us know. Send us a photo of yourself to place in the meditation hall at the Abbey during the retreat, symbolizing your participation.

Retreat Preparation and Study Materials

Ven. Chodron has given extensive teachings on the Chenrezig practice, which you can explore in the Retreat secion to ThubtenChodron.org.

Additionally, she recommends you study these resources:

  • Thubten Chodron. Cultivating a Compassionate Heart: The Yoga Method of Chenrezig, Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2005
  • Sonam Rinchen, Geshe. Eight Verses for Training the Mind, Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2006
  • Jampa Tegchog, Geshe. Transforming Adversity into Joy and Courage: An Explanation of the Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas. Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Publications, 2005.
  • Thubten Yeshe, Lama. Introduction to Tantra. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987.
  • Thubten Chodron. Guided Meditations on the Stages of the Path, Snow Lion Publications, 2007
  • Thubten Chodron, Don't Believe Everything You Think, Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 2012.
  • Dalai Lama, 14th, Tenzin Gyatso. Eight Verses for Training the Mind, Shambhala Publications (CD set)

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