Join us for an immersive weekend in virtual retreat.

Motivated by compassion for beings, Siddhartha left the comfort, status, and certainty of his palace life to seek the answers to the questions burning in him. He wanted to know the cause of old age, sickness, and death, and how to end trauma and suffering. What he discovered on the night of his enlightenment is the truth of suffering, the causes of suffering and the way to freedom which became his first teaching at Deer Park in Sarnath on the Four Noble Truths. He declared, “All I teach is suffering and the end of suffering.” The wish to be happy and free of suffering is common to all beings and relevant to life over 2500 years after the Buddha passed into parinirvana. Today, as in the time of the Buddha, beings experience trauma and suffering in many forms and wish to find lasting happiness. 

What is suffering? What is resilience, and how can we cultivate it?  How can discoveries in modern neuroscience and polyvagal theory inform our dharma practice? What is collective trauma? How can we relieve the suffering we feel, bring it onto the path, and help others? What practices help us to resolve trauma? How can we deal with the resistance we experience to moving into our personal pain, keeping us from our daily meditation practice? How can western psychological therapies and Vajrayana Buddhism converge to move us beyond pain and suffering to full realization and awakening? How can western psychotherapy be an integral dimension to our dharma practice? 

In this retreat we will explore these questions and more, taking a deep dive into trauma and suffering, combining wisdom from Buddhism and modern psychology and neuroscience. Through teachings, discussion, and meditation we will introduce students to numerous methods to skillfully bring suffering in all its forms onto the path of awakening. 

Who Should Attend?
This is open to everyone.

Recording Access: 
All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings. 

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?
Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curriculum that give you the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreat and hands-on learning, while connecting with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year. 

Tara Mandala Program Pricing

$30 For Your First Program
*Will this be your first online program at Tara Mandala? If so, we are offering a special introductory rate of $30 in honor of our 30th Anniversary! Please note that this price level is not eligible for scholarships, deferred payment plans or any other discounts.

GENEROSITY RANGE 
Choose an amount within this range if you have the financial security and capacity to support Tara Mandala at a higher level. The contributions we receive within this range make it possible for us to offer a below-cost Access Range to those practitioners with a limited income.

 This range is for you if you:

• Own your own home and live comfortably without financial worry
• Have investments and savings 
• Easily have access to money in times of need or emergencies
• Have the desire to help make the Dharma more accessible to others

SUSTAINABILITY RANGE  
Choose an amount within this range if you have the financial capacity to sustain Tara Mandala’s ability to offer high-quality programs. The contributions we gratefully receive within this range enable us to keep our prices low while covering the basic program costs. 

 This range is for you if you:

• Have the capacity to meet your basic financial needs
• Make your rent or mortgage and other monthly payments 
• Are generally able to purchase new items and experiences for yourself
• Can afford to take trips and go on retreats

ACCESS RANGE  
Choose an amount within this range if you have limited financial capacity or are currently experiencing financial hardship. The contributions we gratefully receive within this range go toward covering costs and are supported by contributions of those who choose the Generosity Range.

 This range is for you if you:

• Have difficulty meeting your basic financial needs 
• Are experiencing housing, employment, or income instability
• Live paycheck-to-paycheck and and lack money in times of need
• Face challenges due to devaluation of your currency against the US dollar. 

Offering dana to the teacher: The practice of offering dana, which means “generosity,” is the traditional offering the student makes to the teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the program. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. 

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
Tara Mandala offers two types of financial assistance: Deferred Payment Plans and Scholarships. You may apply for one or both of these types of assistance. Read the terms carefully as outlined on the financial aid application. Please see this page for further information. Please note that the $30 for Your First Program price level is not eligible for scholarships, deferred payment plans or any other discounts.

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Program discount to this course. To learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership, benefits, and discounts, click here. 

Click Here for Our Cancellation and Refund Policy

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Standard Time.
Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Saturday, January 27, 2024: 
9:00am – 11:00am MT: Teachings & Practice
12:00pm – 3:00pm MT: Teachings & Practice

Sunday, January 28, 2024:
9:00am – 11:00am MT: Teachings & Practice
12:00pm – 3:00pm MT: Teachings & Practice