Meeting the Awakened Feminine: Vajrayogini Retreat in the Great Stupa

This week-long Vajrayogini meditation retreat takes place in the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. It is a Vajrayana practice program in the Shambhala Buddhism tradition, intended for students who already hold the full Vajrayogini abhisheka. Greg Smith, a longtime student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, guides the retreat.

What to Expect

The retreat runs seven days, from an afternoon arrival on the first day to a late-afternoon departure on the last. Practice is the center of the program. The Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, gave extensive teachings on the meaning of Vajrayogini and on sadhana practice in general, and the group draws on recordings of those teachings to inspire its own practice, along with discussion. Instructions on the procedures of the Vajrayogini Sadhana are given as needed.

The days keep a steady rhythm:

- 9:00 am to 12:00 pm: practice session in the Great Stupa
- 2:00 to 5:30 pm: practice session in the Great Stupa
- 7:00 to 8:30 pm: evening study and discussion

Arrival is between 2:00 and 5:00 pm on the first day, with check-in at the Guest Services Cabin. Those who arrive after hours will find a packet beside the door. Full participation is preferred, so the whole program is the intended way to attend. Anyone hoping to come for part of it can contact the registrar at Drala Mountain Center.

About Greg Smith

Greg Smith is a well-known thangka painter at Drala Mountain Center. He has guided and taught many intensive programs as well as introductory ones. He is a longtime student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and a student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

The Setting

Drala Mountain Center sits near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya is where the practice sessions are held. Meals and drinks are included, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Lodging is billed separately, and there are several ways to stay:

- Off campus: arrange your own place nearby, such as a home, a short-term rental or camping in the Red Feather area.
- Car camping: primitive spots in the Rigden parking lot for self-contained vehicles only. Tents and other camping gear are not permitted.
- Platform tents: 12 by 14 foot tents with twin beds, a bookcase and a clothes rack, near a bathhouse, as a single or shared with a roommate. These are typically offered from late May to early September.
- Dormitories: gender-segregated rooms with beds for up to seven people, with bathrooms and showers down the hall.
- Monk rooms: private indoor rooms with a bed, bedding, closet, desk and large window, sharing a bathroom.
- Single and double rooms: a dresser, closet and attached three-quarter bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- Junior suites: in the Lodge, with a queen bed, desk, dresser, closet, sitting area and private bath with a tub.

Before You Go

The full Vajrayogini abhisheka, corresponding exactly to the ones given by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, is a prerequisite and must be received beforehand. The sadhana is practiced in full, so this retreat suits experienced practitioners.

Tuition is free, and meals and drinks are included. Lodging, travel to and from the center, and bedding for platform tents are not included, so bring your own twin sheets, blanket or sleeping bag, and pillow if you choose a tent. The program is also offered as a hybrid, so those who prefer to practice from home can register for the online version.