Welcome to Walking the Path: The Way to Develop Calm Abiding, an immersive weekend retreat within our comprehensive two-year program. This retreat serves as the starting point for a deep exploration of the practice of Calm Abiding (Shamata), a Buddhist technique designed to anchor attention, quiet the mind, and set the stage for profound insights. Led by the esteemed Namchak Khen Rinpoche and teacher/translator Justin Kirkwood, this weekend retreat offers participants a unique opportunity to delve into the essence of meditation within the Buddhist path of liberation.
Throughout this retreat, you will receive detailed instructions from Khen Rinpoche, illuminating the intricacies of Calm Abiding and providing practical insights to enhance your practice. You will engage in solo and group meditation sessions, receive personalized guidance, and leave with meditation homework to develop your understanding between retreats. This immersive experience sets the tone for the entire Walking the Path program, laying the groundwork for stability, focus, and calm awareness.
Ready to take the first step? Register for this individual retreat or opt-in for the full two-year program, gaining access to a structured journey toward profound insights and a deeper connection with the Buddhist path.
Date and Time Details:
Friday, April 12 at 5:30 pm – Sunday, April 14 at 8:30 pm
An optional two-day silent retreat may be added on.
Location:
Bodhi House at the Namchak Retreat Ranch
55819 Garcon Gulch Rd Hot Springs, Montana
Preliminary schedule:
- Friday: 5:30 pm – 8 pm MDT
- Saturday: 7:30-8:30 meditation; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm – 5 pm MDT
- 7:30-8:30 pm meditation
- Sunday: 7:30-8:30 meditation, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm – 5 pm MDT; 7:30-8:30 pm meditation
- Monday – optional all-day silent retreat (also offered online)
- Tuesday – optional all-day silent retreat (also offered online)
In-person sliding scale tuition for the weekend teachings:
Our intention is to make this retreat financially accessible to all, so we offer a sliding scale. Please choose whichever level works best for you. The prices below also includes a shuttle* from the Missoula airport (MSO) to the Bodhi House at Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, meals, and lodging.
If program costs present a financial barrier, please contact [email protected]. No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows.
You can either choose to register as a one-time retreat, or you can register for year one of the two-year program. If you decide after this retreat that you would like to register for the whole series, your payment will be applied to the program tuition.
$250 – Supported – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the Walking the Path retreat. This reduced fee will be supplemented by the community.
$500 – Suggested: For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
$850 – Sponsored: For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others.
$120 to add on two days of silent retreat (Monday and Tuesday)
* Shuttles will be arranged for Friday afternoon as well as Monday and Wednesday morning.
Upon registration, you will be provided a link to download a free digital copy of The Way to Develop Calm Abiding and Profound Insight by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche.
About the Walking the Path Program
Walking the Path offers a systematic and interactive approach to develop Calm Abiding and Profound Insight, providing participants with the opportunity to attend four-weekend retreats over two years. Tailored for those ready to deepen their practice, this program is ideal for individuals seeking guidance from an expert teacher within a supportive community.
This program relies upon the three jewels with Buddha as our teacher, the Dharma as our path, and the Sangha as our helpers. We will take refuge, generate bodhicitta, and end each session with dedication and aspirations. By developing a mind of renunciation, we will focus on attaining liberation and Buddhahood for the sake of all beings.
Year One Focus: Calm Abiding (Shamata):
The first retreat, Walking the Path: The Way to Develop Calm Abiding Retreat, concentrates on the foundational practice of Calm Abiding (of Shamata). This technique, rooted in stabilizing attention and quieting thoughts, lays the groundwork for all subsequent practices. Engage in a structured daily practice schedule, receive detailed instructions, and join monthly check-ins with Justin Kirkwood.
What You Will Learn:
Year one emphasizes Calm Abiding practices, cultivating stability, focus, and presence. Participants receive detailed instructions based on Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s teachings. For those ready to commit to year two, Profound Insight (Vipassana) meditation awaits, offering a deeper understanding of reality.
Program Highlights:
- Accessible online attendance for the first year, with the second year in-person at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Spring, Montana. Of course, participants in the first year are welcome to join in person as well.
- Engage with a supportive community through regular check-ins, recommended readings, and dharma teachings.
- Flexible registration options allow participants to sign up for the first retreat as a stand-alone retreat or the entire two-year program.
Who is This Program For?
Walking the Path is recommended for individuals with some meditation experience ready to focus on the Buddhist path. Online attendance is available for year one, and in-person attendance is mandatory for year two, where students take refuge vows.
Namchak Khen Rinpoche is the primary teacher of the Walking the Path program. However, due to Khen Rinpoche’s recent medical issues, he is currently resting in Taiwan and will join us virtually for the teaching. Justin Kirkwood will be in person for those joining in Montana.
Additional Notes:
You can either choose to register as a one-time retreat, or you can register for year one of the two-year program.If you register for the program now, a portion of your payment will be applied to the program tuition. This will be reflected at check-out. If you decide after this retreat that you would like to register for the whole series, your payment will be applied to the program tuition.
To register for year one of the two-year program, comprised of two retreats, four individual sessions with Khen Rinpoche and/or Justin Kirkwood, and optional monthly Learning Circles, choose one of these options as an add-on.
Supported – $350/yr – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the Walking the Path program. This reduced fee will be supplemented by the community.
Suggested – $550/yr – For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
Sponsored – $750/yr – For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others. Your fees, in excess of the actual cost of offering the Walking the Path program, will be used to provide scholarships to those who cannot afford the full program.
The program fees do not include the cost of transportation or lodging for in-person retreats. No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. Please email [email protected] for more information.
About Namchak Khen Rinpoche:
Khen Rinpoche completed the study of all the Indian Buddhist philosophical traditions and the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism under numerous great teachers. He also completed the nine years of rigorous training and served at the Namdroling monastery for several years. Enthroned as Khe npo by HH Penor Rinpoche, he taught at the Shedras of Ringo Tulku and Shechen Monastery for many years, as was instructed. Khen Rinpoche strictly abides by his precepts in everyday life and is diligent in his practice. He visits and teaches a variety of places around the world, including the Namchak Foundation and the Namchak Retreat Ranch, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other locations. While in the U.S., he resides and meditates at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee, Montana.
“Khen Rinpoche is one of my favorite teachers. His ability to weave humor and stories into these profound teachings makes it an absolute joy to learn with him.” – Joe Previte, Namchak Student.
About Justin Kirkwood:
Justin Kirkwood is a Buddhist teacher and Tibetan translator at the Namchak Foundation. His many years in India of traditional monastic training, personal practice, and experience as a translator make him uniquely qualified to share these teachings in a way that is grounded in the Buddhist tradition while meeting students where they are with their unique spiritual interests and goals.
About Namchak:
Namchak brings ancient meditation practices to modern life through online learning, in-person retreats, and a vibrant community guided by Tibetan masters and Western teachers. We support students on every step of the path, from those exploring mindfulness for the first time to more experienced students looking to deepen their practice. We offer a variety of learning programs, including in-person teaching, small group learning, online courses, and soon-to-be-established residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in western Montana.