Cassandra's Test Program - Drala Mountain Center

FAQs

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Lodging

Rigden Lodge also hosts some of our programs in the Rigden Shrine Room, and has a large common area next to the shrine room where guests can spend their time, make a cup of tea, have conversations, or just relax. Programs may continue in the Shrine Room until up to 10:30 pm each night. Rigden also boasts a large deck area where you can relax, practice yoga or meditation, or simply enjoy the mountain view

We have several accommodations to choose from during checkout.
All options include our healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.

Tents
12′ x 14′ tents have two twin beds, two bookcases and a hanging clothes rack. Each campground offers a shared bathhouse. Summer platform tents are available from late May through early September. A tent can be rented as a single (without a roommate) or a double (with a roommate).

Dormitories
Rooms with beds for up to 7-8 people. Gender-segregated with men in their own dorm and women in another. The dorms use a shared bathroom down the hall, which is also equipped with shower stalls.

Monk Rooms
A cost-effective option for participants looking for indoor, solitary lodging, but who don’t mind using a shared bathroom or are looking for a more affordable retreat solution. These rooms are in the same hall as the Ridgen Dormitories, but offer more privacy than the dorms. In addition to a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, the monk rooms also have a large window and a desk and desk chair for added comfort.

Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat where you want both your own space and your own bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4s bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower, no bathtub) attached to each room.

Red Feather Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat

Program Schedule

Day 1

Sunday, October 5 .- Welcome to the Land
Registration takes place from 2 pm to 5 pm. If you plan to attend the 3:30 pm mindful hike, please arrive with enough time to check in and settle into your accommodations. At 3:30 pm we’ll enjoy a guided hike and experience DMC’s beautiful land.If you prefer not to hike, feel free to relax, or explore on your own during this time.

Welcome to the Community
We will have dinner together followed by a fireside chat. This is always a highlight for the group as it’s a time to connect and learn about each other.

Day 2

Monday, October 6 – Welcome to the Retreat
We’ll begin the day with a healthy breakfast followed by a morning filled with mindful lessons and meditation. After lunch, we’ll continue our practice with stretches, mindful walking, wisdom talks, and more. Mindful “sunset hike” in silence, followed by time to share reflections with fellow participants.

Day 3

Tuesday, October 7
The day starts with instruction and meditation. Just prior to lunch, we will begin settling into the two-day silent portion of the retreat. Our afternoon includes meditation lessons, mindful walking, stretching practices, meditation practice, small break-out groups for questions, and wisdom talks.

Day 4

Wednesday, October 8
The day begins with various mindfulness practices followed by time for relaxation after lunch. The afternoon consists of meditation practices.

Day 5

Thursday, October 9
On our last day, we will slowly come out of silence. Then, we’ll share our insights about our retreat experience. The session concludes with a powerful ritual that is most memorable for participants. Next, we will enjoy a final lunch. Together, we’ll reminisce about the last few days and treasure this special time—fully in the present moment.

Retreat Faculty

Scholarships

If you are unable to attend due to financial support, we do have scholarships available for those who would like to experience this retreat online. These scholarships have been made possible by partnering with Andrew Holecek.

Please apply here by August 8th.

Recording

The talks and program sessions will be recorded. Registered participants will have viewable access to the recordings for 1 month after the program concludes.

Retreat Faculty

Ann Braden

Ann Braden, CYT, E-RYT500, holds certifications in yoga therapy from Loyola Marymount University, Yoga of the Heart and the yoga4cancer program. Her light-hearted teaching style combines breath, movement and an invitation to root down, rise up and grow love as you learn to relax deeply, move well and connect with your inner healing resources. A 5-year [...]

Larry Mermelstein

Beginning in 1971, Larry Mermelstein became a close student of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and scholar. He has served as a senior teacher in the Vajradhatu/Shambhala community for decades. He is a founding member and the executive director of the Nalanda Translation Committee for over forty years and is a long-time consulting editor to Shambhala Publications.

Andy Karr

Andy Karr has practiced and studied the dharma for over fifty years under the guidance of such masters as Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. He is the author of Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality and Contemplating Reality. He is also the coauthor of The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes.

Adrienne Chang

Adrienne Chang has studied in the tradition of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche for over fifteen years, helping co-lead Shambhala and Buddhist meditation retreats and study courses in Europe, North America, and online. Adrienne is currently a member of the Milinda program, a ten-year, inter-sangha, shedra-styled Buddhist teacher training program under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, which brings her to Asia for three-months of intensive study and practice each year. . .

Entering the Vajra World Retreat Faculty Photo

Why Did Past Participants Love this Leadership Retreat?

“I was also surprised that I was ok being alone in my room or on hikes without any distractions. I started observing things that I normally wouldn’t have if I were either with someone or was distracted with music, phone, etc.”

“The practice of meditation is helping to increase the size of the space for me between stimulus and response. I noticed it immediately when I was back in my office.”

“When a particular comment was raised by one of my staff members—I was able to slow my response. My impulse was to react defensively, but I slowed down and responded with a clarifying question. The two-second pause probably changed the interaction from a negative to a positive for both parties. Pretty amazing.”

“[I learned] the ability to focus on breathing—to relax—before reacting when faced with something I might be eager to respond to…especially when negatively.”

“I was very surprised that I was able to shut down from technology for as long as I did and became ok with it. It was very challenging at first—but by the end, it just wasn’t a thing…”

Join us in Colorado from October 5th–9th, 2025 for the Do Nothing Retreat!

FAQs

Lodging