Upcoming Retreats

  • Zoom Only – $108.00
  • Commuting – $180.00
  • Camping – $222.00
  • RV/Camper Van – $250.00
  • Women's Dorm – $274.00
  • Men's Dorm – $274.00
  • Women's Quad 1 – $380.00
  • Women's Quad 2 – $380.00
  • Private Room- Twin Bed – $484.00
  • Private Room- Double bed – $484.00
  • Private Cabin #1 - "Vajrapani" – $536.00
  • Private Cabin #2 - "Chenrezig" – $536.00
  • Private Cabin #3 - "Vajrayogini" – $536.00
  • Private Cabin #4 - "Chakrasamvara" – $536.00
  • Private Cabin #5 - "Tara" – $536.00
  • Private Cabin #6 - "Yamantaka" – $536.00

Wise Hope: Buddhist Practices for Uncertain Times

Guy Newland

October 10 - 12, 2025

Join us for a transformative weekend retreat in the heart of the redwood forest, where we’ll explore the deep intersection of hope and Buddhism in a time of uncertainty.

 

Surrounded by ancient trees and held in a supportive community (Sangha), we’ll reflect on the Three Jewels—finding guidance in the Buddha, freedom in the Dharma, and inspiration in each other. Led by renowned Buddhist scholar and teacher Guy Newland, this retreat offers an opportunity to dive into the concept of “wise hope”: a resilient hope not bound by expectation, but rooted in compassion, clarity, and courageous action

 

Through meditation, heart-opening dialogue, and contemplative practices, we’ll explore how embracing impermanence and interconnection can open the heart and energize meaningful action. This retreat is especially meaningful for young people seeking purpose and renewal—offering a space to move beyond despair, reconnect with values, and envision a future shaped not by fear but by the inspiring solidarity of our commitment to awakening.

 

Who is this for?

This retreat is open to all levels—whether you’re new to Buddhist practice or have years of experience, you’ll find practical tools for inner stability and clarity. We especially welcome those feeling grief, anxiety, or despair in response to the climate crisis, war, or the uncertain state of our world.

 

 

Registration Closes

October 3rd for In-person attendance and October 10 at 6pm for Online Attendance

 

Tentative Schedule — All sessions bolded will be online via Zoom (and in person)

Fri, Oct 10

3:00 PM- 5:00 PM  Check-in

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Intro to the Course

 

Sat, Oct 11 

7:15 AM – 8:00 AM Session 1 

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast

9:30 AM -12:30 PM Session 2  (with break)

12:30 PM- 1:00 PM Lunch

3:30 PM – 6:00 PM Session 3 with (with break)

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Dinner

7:00 PM – 7:45  Session 4 

 

Sun, Oct 12

7:15 AM – 8:00 AM Session 1

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast

9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Session 2 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Vajrapani Thank You and Close

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Departure

 

Additional Information for in-person guests

  • Please plan on arriving between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on the first day of the retreat
  • Please plan on departing at approximately 2:00 PM on the last day of the retreat
  • You can see information about our accommodations in the registration process

 

About Retreat Fees (includes accommodation, 3 meals a day, and facility costs)

The collected registration fees include all accommodations, 3 nutritious vegetarian meals a day, and general facility/operating costs.  Retreat registrations help support the center to keep everything operating, allowing us to invite so many precious teachers, and to hold this precious space of 70+ acres of secluded redwood forest to allow guests to have the quiet, contemplative space to continue spiritual growth.

 

Important Note

Vajrapani Institute may publish recorded sessions in the public domain (e.g., on YouTube). By registering for this event, you are agreeing to give your consent to this process. To protect your privacy, we recommend being conscious about any personal information you share during the sessions. To further enhance anonymity, you may want to consider turning off video or naming yourself using abbreviations.

 

About Vajrapani Institute

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture was one of the first Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centers in America.  Vajrapani aims to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all nationalities to learn, put into practice the teachings of the Buddha, and connect with other Dharma practitioners.  Located on 70 acres of secluded land within the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains, Vajrapani Institute has been an immersive space for people of all backgrounds to find and deepen their spiritual practices, with the main goal of bridging the gap between the head and heart of the practice.

 

Teacher’s Fees

Traditionally, spiritual teachings are considered priceless; offerings to our teachers are not included in the fee information detailed on this page. Instead, we invite you to consider bringing a cash donation with you to express your gratitude for the teachings. 

 

The Buddha encouraged the practice of generosity as it develops non-attachment, loving-kindness, and compassion and deepens the awareness of our interconnectedness. Offering Dana to our teachers, a Pali word for “generosity,” is said to benefit both the giver and the receiver, helping the giver to practice generosity and the receiver to practice acceptance. Your offering of Dana can be whatever feels generous to you in your heart and your particular financial situation. If you can’t afford to give a cash offering as Dana, a thank you note is perfectly generous.

 

Participants will get a chance to present a cash offering to the teachers on the last day of the retreat and this is supplemented by a donation from Vajrapani Institute. Please note that we don’t offer a credit card option for Dana

 

Financial Aid/ Scholarships

We want to make retreats accessible to everyone. With this in mind, we will gladly work out a payment plan with you if needed. If more assistance is necessary, we offer several scholarships. Please note that the scholarship deadline is one month before the retreat begins.

 

 

Teacher

Guy Newland
Guy Newland, Ph.D., is a scholar of Tibetan Madhyamaka whose teachers include Jeffrey Hopkins and Loling Geshe Palden Drakpa. He is a translator and editor of Tsongkhapa’s Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings on that text, From Here to Enlightenment. Guy is the author of Introduction to Emptiness, Appearance and Reality, The Two Truths, and A Buddhist Grief Observed.
Learn more about Guy Newland