A Tara Mandala Virtual Retreat 

Winter is traditionally a time to go inside, to spend time in reflection, and to tell stories. Join author and filmmaker Victress Hitchcock for a day-long winter retreat for writers and others who want to journey into that inner space and celebrate their discoveries in writing. 

Throughout the day we will intersperse periods of contemplation with periods of writing as we explore together the experience of this moment-by-moment, constantly shifting dance we call living. 

This retreat will build on the fall retreat Writing and Contemplation: Becoming Intimate with Ourselves, for those who attended, and is also appropriate for anyone joining for the first time. 

A former retreatant shares: “It was such an excellent program. It is a Master Class for our creative and contemplative minds!” – Fitri Junoes

What to Expect?

• During this day of retreat participants will alternate time for meditation and contemplation with periods of writing and sharing our writing with each other in small breakout groups. 

About Victress:

A long time Buddhist and filmmaker, Victress’ works include – Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet and When the Iron Bird Flies: Tibetan Buddhism Arrives in the West. Since retiring from production in 2017, she has become a writer of poetry and non-fiction. She has published three collections of poetry including Hello Honey: 18 Poems from the Path and most recently Whoosh – Stripped Bare.  She is working on a memoir, entitled A Tree with my Name on it, of her years living alone on a ranch in the mountains of Colorado. In 2013, she was authorized as a teacher by Anam Thubten. This is her second Writing and Contemplation retreat at Tara Mandala. For more information on Victress’ films and writing and to purchase copies of Hello Honey and Whoosh Stripped Bare go to victresshitchcock.com

Who Should Attend? 

• The retreat is open to everyone, no writing or meditation experience necessary. Just bring a notebook and a spirit of adventure. 

What is a Virtual Retreat?

Virtual Retreats are Tara Mandala At-Home intensive retreats, teachings and in-depth workshops during which practitioners receive dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience hands-on learning, and connect with other participants through an easy-to-use online platform (Zoom) during consecutive days (with few exceptions) and daylong offerings. This modality of learning is appropriate for practitioners who are able to create a practice container of their own, setting aside a dedicated retreat space, removing themselves from social media, and taking care of necessities with the mind of compassion in action for the specific dates and times that the teachings occur. 

Virtual Retreats are meant to be attended live given that direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. However, access to recordings of the sessions are available for additional viewing for various timeframes specified by the price level selected.

Tiered-Prices

Tara Mandala offers tiered pricing for all virtual retreats to allow participants the opportunity to consider offering additional financial support for Tara Mandala while gaining greater access to the recordings of the teachings post-retreat. These are difficult times for everyone, and Tara Mandala is no exception. We encourage you to select at the highest level within your capacity to assist Tara Mandala in covering the costs to offer these wonderful teachings. We thank you in advance for your support and your practice!

$100 – Tier 1 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 7 days from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers the basic costs of holding this specific retreat, including compensating our teachers. 

$125 – Tier 2 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 30 days from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers basic costs of this retreat and supports the year round staff at Tara Mandala.

$135 – Tier 3 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 1 year from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers basic costs for this retreat, supports year around staff as well as facilities maintenance and other critical operational needs.

Any additional contribution to our Annual Fund will allow Tara Mandala Retreat Center to continue to operate, be a repository for wisdom literature, a center for translation, a beacon for the feminine in Buddhism, and an active dharma center that provides refuge for deep practice and transformation. If you are able to provide a generous contribution beyond the prices listed above, you will also have the opportunity to do so in your registration and/or during the retreat.

There are many ways to support and engage with Tara Mandala’s activities. Click here to learn more. We appreciate your support and generosity! 

If you would like to offer Dana to the teachers leading this retreat, the information to do so will be provided during the virtual retreat sessions.

Note: Tara Mandala has two scholarship funds and offers deferred payment plans as resources for anyone with financial limitations. For more information and to apply, visit our Scholarships and Financial Assistance Page. 

VIRTUAL RETREAT SCHEDULE

Listed times are the online portions of the retreat. All times are Mountain Time. If you are attending from another time zone, please know that recordings will be made available by 8pm MT daily so you can review missed sessions. Recordings will expire seven days after the retreat concludes.

Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Friday, January 29:
6:30pm – 7:45pm: Opening Gathering 

Saturday, January 30:
8:00am – 8:45am: Guided Meditation (optional)
9:00am – 12:00pm: Session 1 – Introduction followed by contemplation and writing practice
2:00pm – 5:00pm: Session 2 — Contemplation and writing practice followed by break out groups to share writing
6:00pm – 7:00pm: Closing Gathering