A Retreat Center is often a facility established to provide an opportunity for personal practice and study away from day to day life in civilization. Many times this type of Center is in a rural setting. Often technologies such as computer and phone service are limited. “Retreat” can be defined as a place of privacy or refuge. In the Buddhist tradition students are encouraged to go on retreat to help strengthen their meditation and associate practices. I have been involved with various spiritual Retreat Centers and fully appreciate the deepening of one’s understanding and growth by stepping out of the “mainstream” of life.
In the early months of this year I made the decision to enter a 2 year study program at the Namgyal Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, NY. Upon application to the program and meeting with the Director, it was explained to me that the Namgyal Institute is strictly a study facility and offers minimal practice opportunity. This is a viable approach for study, but was not what I had envisioned for my time in a 2 year program. Subsequently I found the Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center in Pagosa Springs, CO. For more complete information on this beautiful Retreat facility please go to their website at http://www.taramandala.org.
In these photos you get a glimpse of the beauty of Tara Mandala both in nature and in esthetics. Due to the cold temperatures of the Colorado mountains, the Center is only open from May until October. There are numerous volunteer positions for Buddhist practitioners who would like to help support their practice with service. My primary work was with the gardens, both temple gardens and vegetable gardens. I would encourage those of you who have a semester schedule, with freedom in the summer, to explore the opportunity of living and working in a full time practice environment.
For a better visual you can click on the photos for a full view. To return to the blog use your “back arrow” key. My next post will focus on some of the art of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition celebrated at Tara Mandala.
Happy Autumn!
Namaste
Anne Nowell 