Mindfulness of breathing, or Anapanasati, will be the medium used for exploration of body and feelings in this 10-day retreat, just as practiced by the Buddha more than 2550 years ago.

In order to develop meditation practice, and deepen levels of subtlety in mindfulness, a longer period of meditation is essential. Should you feel like 10 days is too challenging for you to attempt, that is the optimal time to try. You will see your practice grow and flourish through transcending your meditation comfort zone.

The retreat will include alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, with an emphasis on the first two sections (or tetrads) of the Anapanasati Sutra: mindfulness of breathing in relation to the body, and feelings/sensations. Compassion toward oneself and others will be emphasized throughout the retreat.

There will also be daily teaching on the 12 Links of Dependent Origination with time for questions and answers.

The cost is $650, and includes accommodation, food and a small donation for the teachings as your situation allows. As always, please inquire about available financial assistance.

Please register quickly, as there will be a limited number of participants for this powerful retreat.

Gen-la Chokyi Dhakpa

Gen-la Chokyi Dhakpa is the founder of the Summit Dharma Center and has been actively practicing Buddhism for more than twenty years. During the last ten years Gen-la has taught almost daily to hundreds of students in Asia and America and more recently has expanded his teaching and friendship to students, both lay and ordained, in Europe, South America, and Africa, leading well over a hundred meditation retreats on almost every subject matter related to Dharma. He has led hundreds of students on meditative pilgrimmages through Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and throughout India, further connecting them with their studies and practice.

Professionally, Gen-la worked as investment banker and as Chief Operating Officer for a mid-size Denver, Colorado real estate firm.

Gen-la was ordained as a monk for almost five years by H.E. Gylatsab Rinpoche at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim and has received the vast majority of empowerments of both the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages including the Dam Nga Dzod from H.E. Gyaltsab Rinpoche and the Rinchen Terdzod from H.H. Penor Rinpoche. He is also fluent in written Tibetan and is casually proficient in colloquial Tibetan language. Gen-la has also received a degree in Buddhist Studies from the Naropa Buddhist University as well as from the University of Virginia. He has also undergone several ninety day retreats in Thailand and Burma in the Theravadin tradition, and is currently practicing and teaching at the Karuna Meditation Center in Phuket, Thailand.

Gen-la has been blessed to study under a wide variety of teachers including Bokar Rinpoche, Thrangu Rinoche, and Penor Rinpoche.