Guru Yoga Retreat

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REGISTRATION FOR THE GURU YOGA RETREAT IS NOW CLOSED.

If you are registered and have questions related to this retreat, please contact Kate Thomas at 651-647-6767.

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Guru Yoga Retreat with Khenpo Sherab Sangpo

“Throw your mind into the lama’s wisdom mind, like tossing a stone into a lake! (…) Were we to meet the Buddha in person, we could expect to receive nothing more than we receive from our spiritual teacher (…) who is the embodiment of all the buddhas in one.” 
- Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

What: Guru Yoga Meditation Retreat

When: 5-day Residential Retreat – May 15-20, 2013

Where: Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota

Topic: Khenpo Sherab Sangpo will guide students in the theory and practice of Guru Yoga according to the Nyingma Longchen Nyingtik transmission lineage. Guru Yoga is an essential practice that opens a student’s heart/mind to the blessings and realization of the buddhas, bodhisattvas, and lineage masters. It is also a crucial to practice Guru Yoga before learning Great Perfection (Dzogchen) teachings. Periods of teaching will be alternated with guided practice; including walking meditation and free time to enjoy the pleasant nature surrounding our retreat center.

Costs: Retreat cost includes teachings and all vegetarian meals and board at beautiful Camp Voyageur (campvoyageur.com) in Ely, Minnesota. If you prefer to stay in a hotel or B&B in Ely, you will pay for the teaching portion of the retreat and only vegetarian meals at Camp Voyageur.

Summary of Costs for the Five-Day Retreat:

  • Retreat teachings ($250)  + camp lodging/vegetarian meals ($250) = $500 (plus applicable MN taxes)
  • Retreat teachings ($250) + only vegetarian meals ($175) = $425 (plus applicable MN taxes)
  • Retreat teachings ($250) for Ely locals who don’t require lodging or meals

Summary of Costs for the Weekend Portion of the Retreat:

  • SPONSOR LEVEL – Saturday and Sunday retreat teachings + camp lodging/vegetarian meals = $250 + $7.09 MN taxes = $257.09
  • PARTICIPANT LEVEL – CAMP LODGING/MEALS – Saturday and Sunday retreat teachings + camp lodging/vegetarian meals = $200 + $7.09 MN taxes = $207.09
  • PARTICIPANT LEVEL – MEALS – Saturday and Sunday retreat teachings + vegetarian meals = $130 + $4.81 MN taxes = $134.81
  • PARTICIPANT ONLY – Saturday and Sunday retreat teachings = $100

REREAT SCHEDULE

All teachings are held at the home of Kim McCluskey that is a 10- to 15-minute walk from Camp Voyageur. All meals are held at the Camp Voyageur dining hall.

Schedule on Wednesday, May 15th:

  • 3:00 – 5:00 PM Registration at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 5:00 – 6:30 PM Evening meal at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 7:00 – 8:30 PM Welcome talk by Kim McCluskey, introduction of Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, and guided meditation

Schedule for Thursday, May 16 – Saturday, May 18th:

  • 8:15 – 9:15 AM – Breakfast at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 9:30 – 10:30 AM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 10:30 – 10:45 AM Break
  • 10:45 – 12:15 PM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 1:45 – 3:00 PM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 3:00 – 3:15 PM Break
  • 3:15 – 4:45 PM Meditation and teaching by Teaching Assistant
  • 5:00 – 6:30 Evening meal at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • Optional evening activity/free time

Schedule for Sunday, May 19th:

  • 8:15 – 9:15 AM – Breakfast at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 9:30 – 10:30 AM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 10:30 – 10:45 AM Break
  • 10:45 – 12:15 PM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 1:45 – 3:00 PM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo and Blessing Ceremony (kata/mala)
  • 3:00 – 3:15 PM Break
  • 3:15 – 4:45 PM Meditation and teaching by Teaching Assistant
  • 5:00 – 6:30 Evening meal at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • Optional evening activity/free time

Schedule on Monday, May 20th:

  • 8:15 – 9:15 AM Breakfast at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 9:30 – 10:30 AM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 10:30 – 10:45 AM Break
  • 10:45 – 12:15 PM Meditation and teaching by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
  • 12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 1:30 – 2:00 PM Closing remarks at Camp Voyageur Dining Hall
  • 2:00 – 3:00 PM Departure

WEEKEND PARTICIPANTS

We welcome your attendance at the retreat and are very happy that you will receive these wonderful teachings from Khenpo Sherab Sangpo! We do ask that you plan your arrival and departure times, if possible, to coordinate with one of the options listed below. On the registration form, you will be asked to give us your arrival and departure times, so please review the retreat schedule above and the arrival/departure options below to make your plans.

  • Arrival on Friday, May 17th at the 5 PM dinner time and lodge at the Camp on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. Depart on Sunday, May 19th after the evening meal.
  • Arrival on Saturday, May 18th at the 8:15 AM breakfast and lodge at the Camp on Saturday and Sunday night. Depart on Sunday, May 19th after the evening meal.
  • If you are only attending the retreat teachings and not lodging or eating meals at the Camp, we ask that you arrive at the first teaching that starts at 9:30 AM on Saturday, May 18th. At the end of that session, you can complete your registration.

SUNDAY BLESSING CEREMONY

Students may wish to bring a kata (traditional white or colored Tibetan blessing scarf), your mala, and a donation for our teacher for the Blessing Ceremony. A commitment to practice is also a traditional offering at the end of an extensive retreat. Katas may be purchased at Tibet Arts on Grand Avenue in St. Paul or ordered online from the Tibetan Nuns Project – Katak Prayer Scarf.

REFUGE VOWS

If you wish to take refuge vows at the retreat, please call Kate Thomas at 651-647-6767. Thank you.

MEDITATION HALL SEATING

We will have fifteen sets of meditation cushions and mats for those who wish to meditate seated on the floor. If you have your own meditation cushion and mat, you are welcome to bring it and place it in the meditation hall for the duration of the retreat. We will also have folding chairs for those who wish to sit on a chair. For your comfort, please consider bringing a pillow to place on the folding chairs.

CAMP VOYAGEUR

The lovely camp is on a lake peninsula surrounded by woods. The camp is beautiful and excellently staffed and managed. If you are planning on staying at the camp, be prepared for simple, rustic cabins in a peaceful setting suitable for meditation, hiking and canoeing.

PACKING LIST

For the meditation hall, it is optional to bring your own meditation cushion/mat or a pillow for your folding chair. Please also bring your mala for practice, and a pen, and notebook for taking notes at the teachings.

Your packing list for the retreat should include a sleeping bag, pillow, towels, flashlights or headlamps, a folding camp chair for the fire pit, and your personal toiletries/medications. The beds at Camp Voyageur will have a clean, fitted sheet on them. If you wish to use the sauna, please bring a swimsuit and towel to sit on. Games, if you wish, for evening play at the camp’s dining hall.

Ely in mid-May can be cold, so pack warm clothing, rain gear and a pair of shoes that are comfortable for walking and suitable for a dirt road that may be wet, if it rains.

You will be asked to sign a standard waiver of liability for Camp Voyageur upon arrival. This also includes those who are only eating meals at the camp.

Cabins at Camp Voyageur

Listed below are the options for cabin configurations. Please note that cabin preferences are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. You cabin preferences can be noted on our online registration form.

  • FULL. NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CABIN ONE: Cabin with two rooms. Each room will have one person. No indoor plumbing. Will be heated, if necessary.
  • FULL. NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CABIN TWO: Small 1-person cabin. No indoor plumbing. Will be heated, if necessary.
  • CABIN THREE: Men only. Large cabin with two sets of bunk beds (4 men) and two single beds. Heat and indoor plumbing.
  • CABIN FOUR: Women only. Large cabin with bunk beds for 6 women. Heat and indoor plumbing.
  • FULL. NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CABIN FIVE: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • CABIN SIX: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • FULL. NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CABIN SEVEN: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • CABIN EIGHT: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • CABIN NINE: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • CABIN TEN: Cabin on point near lake for two people. No heat option.
  • TENTING: You may also bring your own tent and camp on Camp Voyageur’s property.

Vegetarian Meals at Camp Voyageur

We will be planning vegetarian meals with the chef at Camp Voyageur. Please be sure to list on your registration form any food allergies or dietary restrictions that you have. We will do our best to accomodate your needs.

Vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the  Camp Voyageur dining hall beginning with the evening meal on 5/15 through the lunch meal on 5/20. We will have hot drinks available from 6:30 AM until bedtime in the dining hall. There will also be fires every morning in the fireplace in the dining hall.

There will be some snacks and tea/coffee breaks in between teachings at the meditation hall at Kim and Jean McCluskey’s beautiful log cabin home. If you would like to contribute to our break time snacks, please do and thank you!

HOTELS/B&Bs/CABINS

For those who wish to have “less rustic” accomodations during the retreat, there are many hotels, private cabin rentals and B&Bs in Ely:

The Blue Heron is located within a few miles of our retreat center.

There is a room discount for participants who wish to stay at Adventure Inn – http://adventureinn-ely.com/  Please mention “Bodhicitta Sangha” when making your reservation. Rooms start at $50.

Driving directions to Camp Voyageur:

http://www.campvoyageur.com/transportation.php

Driving Directions (Camp Voyageur Phone: 800-950-7291)

1. From Duluth take Highway 53 north around Virginia, MN

2. Just north of Virginia, MN turn right onto Hwy 169 N. to Ely

3.Follow 169 through Ely, past the International Wolf Center

4. Less than a mile past the International Wolf Center turn right on the Kawishiwi Trail (Lake County 16, St. Louis County 58) towards White Iron and Farm Lakes.

5. Continue on the Kawishiwi Trail for approximately 3 miles.

6. Approximately three-tenths of a mile after you cross the concrete bridge at Silver Rapids turn left on Voyageur Road. Voyageur Road is the third street to the left after the concrete bridge.

7. Stay on the main gravel road for approximately 1.25 mile. When you see the line of mailboxes, you will see three roads. Take the middle road straight ahead and down the hill, an S-curve.

8. Turn RIGHT at the bottom of the hill to drive to 13431 Bear Paw Train, the home of Kim McCluskey where our meditation teachings will be held. Turn LEFT at the bottom of the hill to drive to Camp Voyageur and park by the large sign above the dining hall.

All teachings will take place in the lovely log cabin home of:

Kim McCluskey
13431 Bear Paw Trail
Ely, MN 55731

Kim McCluskey (Gyurme Dechen) – phone: 218-365-4297

Please note there is a 15-minute walk between the camp and our meditation hall. Participants can use this time for walking meditation or just enjoy the scenic wooded area and lake front.

Optional Evening Activities

  • Dharma movie nights in the camp dining room
  • Saunas at the camp
  • Bonfires at the camp
  • Evening canoeing. Camp provides canoes, paddles, lifejackets. You provide headlamp, if necessary.
  • Games in the camp dining room. Please bring cards or your favorite games.
  • Many hiking and walking options