Settle into Being

Settle into Being is a five-day, self-guided meditation retreat in Hot Springs, Montana, offered by Namchak in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It is held in Noble Silence, and it is meant for people who want to deepen an existing practice and close the year with reflection, stillness, and ease. The retreat is listed on Namchak's calendar for the Practitioner and Bodhisattva paths, so it suits those who already have some footing in meditation.

What to Expect

This is a silent meditation retreat that balances freedom with a light frame. You are not led through a fixed program of teachings. Instead, the days are self-guided, held in Noble Silence, with the intent to offer both flexibility and gentle structure. You can follow your own pace of sitting and rest while the shared silence supports the whole group.

The retreat runs for five days and takes place in person. The emphasis is on slowing down, letting the year settle, and returning to a quieter way of being with your own mind. It is a good fit if you have practiced on your own and want a stretch of uninterrupted time without the pressure of a packed schedule.

About Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is an American lama, author, and teacher in the Namchak lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Namchak describes her as a teacher who brings the lineage's meditation practices to people at every stage of their path, from beginners to experienced students.

Born into a Midwestern Jewish household, she followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. She is fluent in Tibetan and teaches students in the United States and abroad. She is passionate about reaching young people and supporting those working for positive social change.

With her teacher, Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, she searched for a place where people could study Dharma, from foundational teachings through a full three-year retreat. Their search led them to land a few miles outside Hot Springs, Montana, and they knew at once, "This is it–this is the place."

The Setting

The retreat takes place in person in Hot Springs, Montana, on the land where Lama Tsomo and Tulku Sangak Rinpoche established Namchak's home for Dharma study and practice. Namchak lists its in-person offerings at the Namchak Retreat Ranch, a few miles outside town, in the Montana landscape that drew the two teachers there in the first place.

Before You Go

Because the retreat is self-guided and held in Noble Silence, it is best suited to people with some experience of meditation who are comfortable spending days without conversation. If you are newer to practice, Namchak also offers a free weekday online meditation on Zoom at 8 am Mountain Time, twenty minutes long and open to all levels, which can be a gentle way to build familiarity with sitting in a community before a silent retreat.