Thosamling consistently organizes a 4-day Shamatha Retreat.

Shamatha includes introductory meditation practices in the Buddhist context for the development of a relaxed, stable, and clear mind. Shamatha can be practiced for a few minutes daily or as intensive meditation training – a retreat for days, months, or even years.

Our shamatha retreat is an excellent opportunity for beginners to learn the basic techniques of mindfulness meditation in a retreat environment. You will be guided step by step in how to focus and concentrate your mind. It is also suitable for those who are experienced in meditation. As the meditation practitioner engages in Shamatha practice, they can improve the ability of having focused attention. As a mindfulness-based program, it may also help reduce anxiety and increase empathy and self-compassion. In order to develop such a mind, we need to strengthen the qualities of mindfulness and introspection.

During the retreat, participants are introduced to the tools that are used to develop these qualities. They will also learn about the obstacles that arise when practicing Shamatha, and how they can be overcome. The training includes Mindfulness of breathing, Observing mental events, and Observing the nature of consciousness. The training is aimed at achieving body relaxation, inner silence, attention stability, and vividness.

In the sessions, sitting and walking meditation will be alternated. The meditations are guided by a Western nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. You will learn how to use meditation in your daily life in order to cultivate a focused, clear and calm mind, and to improve the stages of Shamatha.

Click here for upcoming dates of the shamatha retreats.

For more information and registration, email us at [email protected]

Before signing up, please read here what it means to stay at Thosamling Nunnery in a retreat environment.

We have noticed that many participants of our courses like to stay a few days after the course in order to deepen their practice before going back into the business of daily life. We like to give you the opportunity to do so if it doesn’t conflict with the schedule of Thosamling. If you are interested, please check with the office the possibility for staying longer.