Upcoming Retreats

  • Commuting – $180.00
  • Camping – $222.00
  • RV/Camper Van – $250.00
  • Women's Dorm – $274.00
  • Men's Dorm – $274.00
  • Women's Quad – $380.00
  • Men's Quad – $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

Training the Mind, Awakening the Heart: A Retreat on Seven Point Mind Training

Geshe Thubten Sherab

November 28 - 30, 2025

Join us for a weekend of insight, reflection, and renewal as we explore the timeless wisdom of Seven Point Mind Training with beloved teacher Geshe Thubten Sherab. This profound yet practical approach to inner transformation has inspired spiritual seekers for centuries. With warmth, clarity, and gentle humor, Geshe Sherab will guide us through teachings and meditative practices that help us shift everyday challenges—like stress, anger, or disappointment—into opportunities for compassion, patience, and greater peace of mind.

Whether you’re navigating a life transition, seeking deeper meaning, or simply wanting to reconnect with your heart’s natural resilience, this retreat offers tools to awaken kindness toward yourself and others. Through guided meditation, accessible teachings, and a supportive community, you’ll discover how ancient wisdom can meet you right where you are—offering calm amidst chaos, and clarity in uncertain times.

Who is this for?

No prior experience with Buddhism or meditation is needed; all are welcome.

 

Registration Closes

November 21, 2025

 

Tentative Schedule for In-Person Teachings

  • Fri: Check-in 3:00-5:00 pm, Introduction to the course 7:00-8:30 Pm
  • Saturday: Teaching sessions
  • Sunday: Final Session, Lunch, Check Out, and Departure by 2:00 PM

 

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 and 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 practice.

 

Teacher’s Offerings

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 available 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.

Our utmost goal is to help as many beings as possible to have the gift of retreat. If you have additional questions after reviewing the guidelines for payment plans and/or scholarships, please email the Office at office@vajrapani.org.

 

Teacher

Geshe Thubten Sherab
Geshe Sherab was born in Manang, Nepal in 1967 as the second of five sons. He attended Kopan monastery at the age of 9 around 1976 and was ordained by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. After 10 years of study in Kopan, he went to Sera Je Monastery for further studies in 1987, and graduated as a Geshe at the end of 1999. After that, he joined Gyumé Tantric College for a year and went on to teach young monks at Kopan for a year. In 2001 he was sent by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to New Mexico–to serve and help at…
Learn more about Geshe Thubten Sherab