2nd Annual BodhiMind Center Retreat, SEPT. 17-19TH
Stages of the Path in Buddhism
BodhiMind Center Weekend Retreat
Vajra Vidya Retreat Center, Crestone, CO
September 17-19, 2010


DESCRIPTION:
This weekend retreat offers an excellent opportunity to explore deeply Buddhist teachings on the
"path" of awakening, and to experience various practices from the Buddhist tradition in an
authenticTibetan environment very conducive to spiritual work. No background in Buddhist
thought or practice is required -- just sincere curiosity and interest.

At our retreat you will learn Buddhist views of the spiritual path through two overlapping
"maps." One map includes three levels of practice, from beginner to advanced, while another
related one outlines three principle aspects of the path: renunciation, bodhimind and right view.
We will learn meditation practices that strengthen understanding of these concepts and
motivations, and that help us embody the path in our lives. In addition we will concentrate on
how specific practices -- chanting of prayers and mantras, visualizations, prostrations and
circumambulation (of the glorious Stupa in Crestone) -- fit into the larger Buddhist vision of
spiritual development.

ABOUT OUR TEACHERS
Prof. David Gardiner from Colorado College will be the main teacher. Prof. Gardiner received
his Ph.D from Stanford University, with a concentration in Buddhist Studies. After being
introduced to Buddhism by Robert Thurman at Amherst College, he studied with various Tibetan
lamas in India and in the U.S. While his main research field is the Tantric Buddhist tradition of
Japan, David has maintained strong academic and personal connections with Tibetan Buddhism.
In addition we hope to benefit from some instruction
from the Abbot of Vajra Vidya, Khenpo Jigme, who
is a highly trained Tibetan Buddhist lama of the
Kagyu lineage. The title “Khenpo” is given to a
master of Buddhist philosophy, similar to a PhD in
Theology. This title was given to Khenpo Jigme in
1997 by Thrangu Rinppoche after he completed the
traditional 3-year retreat. Khenpo has taught in India
and Malaysia, and has been teaching in the U.S. since
2005.
Both teachers will be available during free periods for private conversation/consultation.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The retreat will be held at the Vajra
Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone,
Colorado, which is a 3 ½ - 4 hour drive
from Colorado Springs
(http://www.vajravidyaretreatcenter.org/
). Crestone is the home of many
Buddhist centers as well as those from
other religious traditions. It is a
beautiful, quiet and powerful place.
Vajra Vidya is part of the Tibetan
tradition, in particular of the Kagyu
lineage. It recently celebrated the
consecration of a beautiful and large
new shrine room. On this occasion, June
21st, the center's spiritual director Thrangu Rinpoche came from Nepal to lead the ceremony, and
over 300 people from across the country attended. All of our practice and teachings will take
place in the new shrine room.


COST
The costs for the retreat will be divided into three parts – very similar to the way most Buddhist
retreats are run across the country. The division is: fee for the retreat, fee for lodging, dana
(donation) to teachers.

The fee for the two days of teaching, teaching materials, and six vegetarian meals is $195.
Lodging options/fees are listed below. Even retreatants lodging elsewhere will be sharing meals
with the group at Vajra Vidya.

The lodging fee will depend on where you stay:

1. Stay in an individual room at the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center. Space is very limited at the
center with only 5 single rooms available. Those rooms will cost an additional $50 per
person for the weekend. Rooms can be shared by friends/couples, but keep in mind there
is only one twin-sized bed in each room with floor space for an additional person.
2. “Dormitory” room at the Center housing 2-4 people; sleeping bags and pads would be
required; $30 per person for the weekend.
3. Cabin and “dormitory” housing at a very nearby retreat center; cost is $40 per person for
the weekend.
4. Crestone motel/B&B lodging. These would be about a 15 min. drive from the center.
Reservations to be made and fees paid directly by retreatant. Please contact us for a list
of local lodging options.

(If you’d like to stay at Vajra Vidya, please
make your reservations early as these rooms will
fill quickly!)

Finally, you will have the opportunity to make
offerings (dana) to the individual teachers of the
retreat. We will collect money in an envelope
on Sunday morning and present the envelope to
the teachers before lunch that day. Dana is the
traditional way that students show gratitude for
the time, energy and expertise of their teachers.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Partial scholarships for the retreat will be available on a limited basis for those who need the
support and who can also volunteer their time at the retreat. To be considered for a scholarship,
please send us an email.

CANCELLATION POLICY
All registration fees are 100% refundable, prior to August 13. Between August 13 and August
27th, 50% of the registration fees is refundable. No fees will be refunded for cancellations after
the 27th, unless the spot can be filled by someone on the waiting list. Forfeited registration fees
will be applied to scholarships for future retreats/seminars/lectures. All cancellations, regardless
of the timing, are subject to a $25 processing fee.

SCHEDULE
The retreat schedule is quite busy and fits around the regular
schedule of the Center, including Center practice times and
meals. Retreatants will all be expected to help with clean-up
after each meal, and with other cleaning duties at the Center.

The retreat begins with check-in at 5pm on Friday, September
17, followed by dinner and practice/welcome sessions that
evening. Saturday is a full day that begins with meditation
before breakfast, includes two sessions of teachings, group
meditation sessions, and a walk to the largest of Crestone's
stupas. The retreat ends at 2pm on Sunday after morning
teachings, lunch and then final clean-up. Participation in all the scheduled group activities is
recommended.

HOW TO REGISTER
Reservations can be made via phone or e-mail (see below for contact information). To ensure
that we get a final list of committed retreatants in time to complete all our planning, we will need
to receive your payment within one week of your registering. All payments must be received
prior to August 27th . (If there is space available after that date, we will continue to take
registrations through September 10.) Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve
basis, and lodging will be assigned that way as well. Please indicate your lodging preference and
then a back-up preference when you register. Lodging payment must be made within 2 weeks of
receiving room assignments. (Please reserve early for lodging at Vajra Vidya as space is very
limited.) Checks can be made out to BodhiMind Center and sent to the address below:

Natalie Morris
710 Grey Eagle Cir N
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
(719)649-7235
bodhimindcenter@gmail.com