When we are at one with our direct experience, we know the brilliance and beauty of our awakened nature. We can be truly present to ourselves and for others – openhearted, connected and responsive – without turning away. In these uncertain and turbulent times, this is a profound gift we can offer the world.

In the Maha Ati teachings of the Vajrayana, there are three aspects to full awakening – complete openness, natural perfection and spontaneous response. These are not thoughts or emotions, they are simply the deepest experience of our being, discovered in the heart of meditative awareness. They are the skillful means that guide us, enabling us to trust our lives and to be of benefit. Each aspect points out a path to awakening that can be explored long after the retreat ends, and perhaps for the rest of our lives.

This retreat is open to anyone with an interest in meditation and a longing to be more open, to know the sacred world, and to respond to life with love and equanimity.

Daily sessions will focus on developing our meditative capacities in a variety of forms: sitting, lying, walking and moving, and in dyads, both indoors and in nature. This experiential training will be supported by dharma talks, contemplation, conversation and ritual.

The experiential approaches of the Vajrayana tradition suit all levels of experience with meditation. They help us to build and deepen a foundation of calm abiding and provide a springboard to the ultimate nature of mind. They open our practice just as it is and then show us the way ahead.

Come together with us for practice and a celebration of natural perfection.

About the teacher

Caroline Pfohl

Caroline’s teaching approach is grounded in 40 years of rigorous practice of the Vajrayana, Chan and Daoist traditions. Caroline teaches in a fresh and accessible way, without sacrificing depth. Her programs are highly experiential, centering the body and the natural environment as powerful teachers. She explores the deep relationship with the sacred other – both human and beyond.

Her teaching is also a practice of tantra, meaning to weave, viewing every aspect of life as sacred and worthy of respect. Caroline herself has interwoven spiritual practice through a life of work in human rights, philanthropy, business and the arts, as well as an active family life.

She offers a progressive and comprehensive path from one’s first experience of meditation to the development of steady and blazing awareness - the open, connected, responsive awareness that is at the core of who we are.

Caroline is the prime lineage holder of the Dharma Ocean lineage and the Spiritual Director of the Dharma Ocean Foundation along with Reggie Ray. Caroline is also the founder of Hemera Collective, which promotes the fundamental importance of spiritual life to the human experience.

Life on retreat

We will spend time in silence during this retreat. Through the practice of silence, we allow ourselves respite from the communication demands of daily life and cultivate the conditions for resting in the natural state without distraction. The practice of silence extends beyond verbal communication, and includes taking a break from other forms of communication, mental stimulation, and electronic devices.

Cost and contributions

The retreat fee covers accommodation for 7 nights and all vegetarian meals. The cost will depend on your choice of accommodation, and your choice of rate.

Please note that there are very few single rooms.

Sustaining

Covers accommodation and meals, and includes a small contribution to shared program expenses and ongoing operations costs associated with offering programs like this one.

The sustaining rates are:

Single ensuite room: £1000
Single standard caravan (compost loo, shower): £900
Shared ensuite room (twin): £835
Shared standard room (twin): £735
Shared yurt or bell tent (triple) (compost loo, shower): £735
Dormitory (up to 7, each with own basin): £705
Camping/van site (BYO tent/van): £650

Benefactor

Contributes to supporting another to attend a retreat, including young people (under 30) and those of any age who need financial support to make retreat a possibility. If you are in a position to do so, we welcome your contributions in support of making the teachings accessible for all.

The benefactor rates are:

Single ensuite room: £1245
Single standard caravan (compost loo, shower): £1145
Shared ensuite room (twin): £1080
Shared standard room (twin): £980
Shared yurt or bell tent (triple) (compost loo, shower): £980
Dormitory (up to 7, each with own basin): £950
Camping/van site (BYO tent/van): £895

The rates do not include any payment for the teachings, which are offered freely, or any contribution to Caroline's international travel costs. Any offerings that you would like to make in gratitude or as a practice of dana can be made during registration or at the retreat.

Dana

Since the time of the Buddha, the practice of dana (generosity or giving in Pali and Sanskrit) has been central to supporting the continuing transmission of the Buddhist teachings. This generosity on the part of all who have gone before is part of what has enabled us to continue to receive the teachings today. Likewise, what we can offer today supports others to receive the teachings and is an important contribution to the continuation of the practising lineage.

Please consider what you are able to give in gratitude and as part of your practice of generosity. All amounts given as dana will be contributed to developing future opportunities for practice and study.

Supported places

We will have a small number of supported places available at lower cost for under 30s and for those of any age who need financial support to make retreat a possibility. If you would like to be considered for a supported place, please write to retreats@hemeracollective.org with your request and circumstances.

A note on the program host

You will notice that this program is hosted by Hemera Collective, and is being offered in collaboration with Dharma Ocean Foundation. Hemera Collective is a new non-profit organization through which Caroline is offering the teachings of the Dharma Ocean lineage as well as her learnings from Daoist and Chan teachers. She remains the Lineage Successor and Co Lineage holder of the Dharma Ocean Lineage.

Enquiries

For any enquiries, please email Pascale at pquiviger@outlook.com

We look forward to you joining us for practice!

Contact the host of Natural Perfection: An experiential Vajrayana retreat