Diamond Sky Dancer – Vajrayogini Retreat
with Rhea Colmar and Mark Nowakowski
October 25 - November 3, 2024
Dear Vajrayogini,
You are warmly invited to join us for ten days of meditation. We will be practicing and studying your sadhana in the circle of the sky, surrounded by earth, water, fire, and all the elements.
Rhea and Mark will lead us in the practice, and point out some things they have learned along the way. We will practice four sessions a day, with an open conversation at lunch.
There will be one daily teaching on the view and practice with lively and provocative discussions. Each day there will be one or two short sessions of moving meditation.
We welcome both fresh and seasoned yoginis. The teachings will adjust to whoever is attending. We will also have some sessions for (re)learning specific parts of the sadhana, including mantras, mudras, and mandalas. Aimless wandering in nature and spontaneous dancing in space will also arise!
Lungs for some of the Vidyadhara’s practice texts and termas from Tibet will be offered.
Thangka by Tara di Gesu: https://taradigesu.com/
Practice Materials
Vajrayogini Sadhana, Vajrayogini Manual, and any other related VY practices and texts
Who Should Attend
This is a vajrayana program restricted to sadhakas who have received the Vajrayogini abhisheka and have the Vajrayogini Sadhana by Tongwa Tonden, Karmapa VI. If you are still completing your Ngöndro you need to have completed the refuge, prostrations, and Vajrasattva mantra, and have begun the mandala and/or guru yoga.
If you have questions about if you can attend, please contact Mark Nowakowski at [email protected]
Schedule Overview
Partial Attendance
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- Please attend the full retreat if you can. You may attend just the first weekend if that’s all you can do.
- Attendance at the final weekend and feast will be just for those who attend the full retreat.
October 25 (Arrival Day)
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- Check-in is open from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please try to arrive before 5 pm to settle in before dinner if you are able to.
- Dinner is at 6:30.
- There will be an orientation and first teaching session at 7:30 after dinner.
October 26 – November 2
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- 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p. m.
Four sessions, includes breaks for meals and rest time.
- 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p. m.
November 3 (Final and Departure Day)
- 8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
- 9:00 Final practice and teaching closing session
- 12:00 Lunch and Departure
Costs
All prices are in $CAD. Please consider paying by e-transfer, cheque, or cash. Saving transaction fees helps us keep the Centre going.
Tuition & Meals:
$855 – full retreat from October 25-November 3
Partial attendance – $275 for the first weekend, Oct 25-27, plus $100 for each additional day attended October 28-Nov 1 ($775 for maximum partial attendance, Oct 25-Nov 1)
Lodging: Extra: varies by type. Visit the Registration Form or this page for a list of options and pricing.
Generosity Policy: We have a donor-supported pay what you can policy and scholarships available. If you need financial assistance in order to attend, please complete this form and our Finance Director will contact you. If you have questions or would like to set up a payment plan, contact our Finance Department at [email protected].
Covid Considerations
Please read the full details of our Covid policy here.
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Please take note that our registration and cancellation policies have been updated. You can read our registration and cancellation policies here.
Useful Links
Leaders
Rhea Colmar considers herself a student in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche as well as other contemporary Buddhist teachers. As a public health nurse, Rhea is interested in the intersection of meditation, health, and well-being, on both the individual and societal levels. She has a background in dance and massage & bodywork. Recently, she has been teaching on topics such as Meditation, Buddhism, and Qigong for the Shambhala Mandala, as well as other organizations and meditation communities. Professionally she has certifications for her therapeutic work, Qigong and Mindfulness meditation. She has been practicing the Vajrayogini Sadhana for over 10…
Learn more about Rhea Colmar
Mark Nowakowski met the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1972 and has been his student ever since. He currently studies with other Kagyü and Nyingma masters. Mark is particularly inspired by the works of Chögyam Trungpa and his teacher Khenpo Gangshar. He coordinated the translation and recent publication of Khenpo Gangshar’s Songs of Realization and Pith Instructions. Mark is a senior member of the Nalanda Translation Committee and a senior teacher in the Shambhala mandala. Mark received the Vajrayogini abhisheka from the Vidyadhara in 1981 and was fortunate to practice the Four Karmas Fire Offering with him in 1985. Mark…
Learn more about Mark Nowakowski
