Group Retreats

“Retreat offers a situation where it’s possible to fulfill our basic human potential and develop all the positive qualities within ourselves.”

– Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Learning Together

Group Retreats allow you to join other students in gaining experience, knowledge, and skills under the guidance of a qualified teacher.

Group retreats vary in length and focus. They can last from a few days to several weeks and cover a wide variety of topics. You can find and register for our upcoming group retreats on our event page.

Benefits

  • Direct feedback and authoritative answers to questions as they arise
  • Sharing of experiences and ideas through discussion
  • Extra stamina and momentum from a shared group dynamic
  • Increased confidence in your own ability and skill in the practice
  • Meeting like-minded individuals for companionship on your spiritual journey

Choosing a Program

All levels: Relevant to people of any experience level.
Introductory: Most suitable for those who haven’t received instruction before and have little to no experience with meditation. These programs are also great for those who want to do an introductory review.
Intermediate: Most suitable for those with at least a cursory understanding of lam-rim and some basic experience with meditation.
Advanced: Most suitable for those with a good understanding of lam-rim or tantra, and considerable meditation experience.

Levels of Silence

The practice of maintaining silence helps individuals go deeper in the retreat experience. While we do encourage full silence during most retreats, the level of silence maintained in a retreat can vary at the discretion of the retreat leader. The following silence levels therefore help to give you a general idea of silence held per retreat.

 

Full: Silence is held for the full retreat. Depending on the retreat there may be talking during discussion groups or during sessions with the teacher. However, during all break times, meals, mornings and evenings, silence is held.
Partial: The amount of silence held can vary in amount, but generally consists of half-day silence. Silence is held from after the last session in the evening until after lunch.
None: Silence is only held by the group during working meditation times.

 

Have more questions? First retreat? Check out our FAQ

Please note that we have recently updated out Cancellation Policy: You can read more about this under our FAQ section. The Cancellation Policy is also stated at the time of registration payment.

 

Questions about financial aid? Review our financial aid page.

 

If you are interested in serving as Course Liaison for a group retreat, please apply here.

Upcoming Retreats

Full Moon Medicine Buddha Puja

Venerable Angie Muir

May 12, 2025
Medicine Buddha Puja: Ultimate Healing. Please join us for a Full Moon Medicine Buddha Puja May 12th from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM.   Join us in welcoming Venerable Angie Muir back from her trip to India and Nepal! May 12th is a Full Moon, merit-multiplying day, which increases the strength of the puja. Merit refers to the positive energy or spiritual benefit accumulated through virtuous actions, thoughts, and practices that align with the path of compassion and wisdom. The Medicine Buddha puja purifies and heals on all levels: physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental. Medicine Buddha is the manifestation of the…

Experiential Vajrayogini Retreat

Elaine Jackson

May 22 - 25, 2025
Please join us for an experiential Vajrayogini Retreat with long-time FPMT Teacher and Vajrapani Founding Member, Elaine Jackson. Elaine is a student favorite, known for her warmth and skill in guiding her students through these profound and transformative tantric practices.   Elaine shares her heartfelt experiences about Vajrayogini Practice:   "My dear, dear friends, how wonderful that we will meet again to explore our relationship with Vajrayogini. I have seen over many years of practice that there is an alchemy, a gradual change, that manifests when I embrace the practice from a felt sense and try to bring that sense…

Vajrapani Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition www.FPMT.org