The Spiritual Guide and the Power of Reliance: A Weekend Retreat

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
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One of the most meaningful aspects of the Buddhist path is the relationship we cultivate with our spiritual guide, the one who embodies the teachings and points us toward our potential for awakening.

In this weekend retreat, we will focus on deepening that connection through the practice of Ganden Lha Gyäma (The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land) and the teachings on correctly relating to the spiritual guide found in The Easy Path, a text by the First Panchen Lama that offers a concise presentation of the lamrim, or graduated path to enlightenment, emphasizing importance of one’s deep connection to their spiritual guide.

The Ganden Lha Gyäma is a profound guru yoga practice that includes visualizing Lama Tsongkhapa, making offerings, requesting blessings, and receiving the inspiration of the lineage. It is a complete meditation that helps cultivate respect, faith, and reliance on the spiritual guide as the living embodiment of wisdom and compassion.

Throughout the weekend, we will engage in guided meditations, teachings, and group discussions designed to strengthen our connection to the spiritual guide and clarify the role that this relationship plays in our practice.

Participants will have opportunities to:

• Become familiar with the structure and meaning of the Ganden Lha Gyama practice
• Explore essential principles of spiritual mentorship and the student-teacher relationship
• Develop insight into the role of the spiritual guide as central to the Buddhist path
• Practice techniques for cultivating proper reliance on the guru, joined with wisdom

Friday
5:30–6:45 pm Welcome tea and snacks
7:00–8:30 pm Teaching and practice with Geshe Sherab

Saturday
9–5 pm Retreat day with Geshe Sherab

Sunday
9–3 pm Retreat day with Geshe Sherab

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Open to students of all levels, this retreat provides a supportive and contemplative space to deepen our connection to the teachings and the inner qualities that a true spiritual guide helps us uncover.