About us
Karmê Chöling is a residential meditation retreat center situated on 500 acres of beautiful countryside in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. With the Green Mountains as the backdrop, the land is enriched by rolling meadows, woodland walking trails, and a one-acre organic garden.
Originally home to the Abenaki people, the land was turned into a dairy farm before it became our retreat center. We have six meditation halls, bright and open common spaces, a range of living quarters for full-time residential staff and program participants, along with seven rustic cabins in the woods for solitary retreats.
We are a global community of meditators, spiritual practitioners, and people who believe that human beings are basically good. This nature can be brought into daily life so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society. We are committed to creating communities where we support one another on our spiritual paths and celebrate life’s journey together, and to creating a society that brings out the best in each of us.
Our Center brings together people from all walks of life to learn, through the practice of meditation, to be kind to ourselves and others. The center continues to offer programs for both new and experienced practitioners, with a community life rooted in meditation practice as a foundation for fostering enlightened society.
The first land center established by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Karmê Chöling has served the international Shambhala community for 50 years. Upon his passing, leadership passed to his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and recently to the Shambhala Board.
The Karmê Chöling community values respect for all individuals; regardless of meditation experience, age, race, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation or identity, capabilities, politics, religion or occupation.
In this time of great difficulty for ourselves, society, and the planet, our Center promotes teachings across many faiths and traditions, that can help us show up with fearlessness and gentleness and to meet the challenges brought on by the chaos of our world.
Upcoming events
42
Online Reading Group: Hinayana, The Path of Individual Liberation
·OnlineOnlineA free Monday night book study beginning Volume 1 of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, the collected seminary teachings, starting with The Path of Individual Liberation. Open to all levels.
Each evening begins with sitting and contemplation, then we read aloud together (2 to 4 paragraphs each, never required) with plenty of room for discussion. The Zoom room opens at 6:45 for a little socializing.
💻 Mondays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM Eastern · Free · Weekly through Dec 28
👉 Join details: Hinayana Reading Group1 attendee
Maitri Bhavana Practice
369 Patneaude Lane, 369 Patneaude Ln, Barnet, VT 05821, USA, Barnet, VT, USMaitri Bhavana is a Contemplative Compassion Practice
It is a meditation practice of sharing health with others. During the weeks before the practice is done, a list of names is collected of people who are suffering from illness.
You are invited to send in the names and illnesses of relatives and friends who are seriously ill, either physically or mentally. Include someone for whom you have a personal concern for their suffering, such as a grandparent dying of cancer.A list will be posted on the Karmê Chöling community bulletin board. You can email the names of people and their illness to Janet Romaine, Head of Practice and Education at Karme Choling. We will do the Maitri Bhavana practice the first Tuesday of the month during our morning meditation session (9 - 10:15 am). At the session the umdze will read the names and illnesses from the list and everyone practices on behalf of those on the list.
If you are in the local area, you can join the Karmê Chöling household in-person for the Maitri Bhavana practice during our 9:00am practice session on the first Tuesday of each month.Learn more and email the names of people you know who are suffering from mental or physical difficulties at Maitri Bhavana Practice.
1 attendeeOnline Reading Group: Integral Buddhism
·OnlineOnlineA warm, drop-in study group reading Integral Buddhism by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche, a practical look at how emotions, relationships and life's struggles can become the path itself.
Newer and longtime students read together, take turns facilitating, and discuss as we go. All are welcome.
💻 Tuesdays, 6:45 to 8:30 PM Eastern · Free · Weekly through Dec 15
👉 Join details: Integral Buddhism Reading Group1 attendeeOnline Study Group: The Tantric Path of Indestructible Wakefulness
·OnlineOnlineMindfulness Practice:
All Levels of Meditators Welcomed!This half-day meditation retreat is an opportunity to "just sit" and steep in mindfulness practice. The main practice will be sitting meditation known as shamatha or peaceful abiding. We will alternate periods of sitting with walking meditation and brief Dharma readings. This is an opportunity to deepen your meditation and be able to practice with a community of meditators. Deepening in mindfulness meditation is appropriate for beginners to experienced meditators.
Beginning meditation instruction available
If you are new to meditation or have questions you would like to ask a meditation instructor, we will provide meditation instruction apart from the main group. With meditation instruction we give detailed directions on both basic sitting meditation and a "zen-style" walking meditation technique. We will talk a little about the view and understanding of meditation as well as go over some "best practices". This will provide you a good foundation on which to base an ongoing, consistent meditation practice at home. You'll have the opportunity to ask any meditation questions you might have in this instruction period.
You are welcomed and encouraged to join the main group in the shrine room afterwards.Registration and Information:
Free Meditation Retreat: November1 attendee
Past events
97
