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If you are flying into MSO in Missoula, Montana, you can rent a car or take the shuttle. You can choose shuttle options when you register for the retreat. You will receive detailed directions upon registration.

Yes. When you register for a retreat, you will be able to share information and make dietary requests. We do our best to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities and will communicate with you about specifics before the retreat.

You can start by taking this short quiz.

No. While the Ranch will host programs based on Tibetan Buddhist practice, our focus is on helping Westerners of all backgrounds and traditions to live happier, healthier, and more meaningful lives.

The Spiritual Director of the Namchak Foundation, Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, came to the United States to teach and was drawn to Montana because the mountains reminded him of his native Tibet. We began searching for a place to build the Retreat Ranch and found the 10,000-acre historic Merritt Ranch for sale. We acquired it with the intention of providing a peaceful place for retreats and sustainably managing the land for generations to come.

We use no artificial chemicals. We use diatomaceous earth and neem oil to deter bugs that may damage plants.

Meditating with your eyes open makes bringing the awareness and mindfulness you cultivate during meditation into everyday life easier. Also, with your eyes half open, light comes into the eyes and helps dispel some of the dullness or sleepiness that may come with meditation. When your eyes are closed, it can put you into a more dreamlike state and cause you to feel sleepier.

As Khen Rinpoche often says, “It’s good for your heart.” Meditating with the mouth slightly open helps keep the breath natural and relaxed. In Tibetan Buddhist practice, this posture also supports the flow of subtle energies, or winds (lung), through the body.

In Shamata (Calm Abiding) meditation, the direction of the gaze helps balance the mind’s energy. Two of the most common obstacles in meditation are sleepiness and agitation. By lowering the gaze, we invite a sense of calm and groundedness, reducing restlessness and helping the mind settle.

If you start to feel sleepy or dull, gently raise your gaze and take a deeper breath to reawaken clarity and alertness. The goal is to cultivate a calm yet clear mind, relaxed yet aware. 

Good news! You don’t need to force your mind to stop. Instead, notice the thought and acknowledge yourself for being aware—it’s a sign of progress. You can gently label or place the thought in a mental category, then remind yourself, “I don’t need to worry about that right now.” From there, simply return to your practice, such as Shamata, with a sense of ease.

Not exactly. Shamata is a formal practice with specific aspects to what you are trying to do with your mind. We can be mindful at any time if we are aware of what we are doing, like while we are eating dinner or doing the dishes.

This will be different for everyone. What’s important is to keep your sessions to an amount of time where your meditation is still mostly enjoyable. If you try to meditate for long periods of time right away, you may become so uncomfortable that you will resist continuing to practice. Multiple shorter sessions can be more effective as you gradually increase the duration.