Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Enters Year of Retreat

Following the Shambhala Congress the Sakyong, Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche, began his year-long retreat at the end of November. He inaugurated the beginning of his retreat by spending the first three weeks in Kalapa Valley. He is now in Halifax where he is practicing and writing before he leaves for Asia in the beginning of the new year. The Sakyong intends to send a message to the entire Shambhala community prior to his departure to Asia.

In his address at the conclusion of the Tenshuk ceremony in November, he said: “I will have everyone in my heart during this practice year. While I am on retreat, if I have one request, it is that at least one session a week you dedicate to me – if I may be so bold – once a week we can commune. In the fourth time there is no difference and therefore all of us at some point will be on retreat. It is said that if one has the right aspiration, one gains the benefit of the practice of the guru and there will be an enhancing of our own practice. That will be a moment when we are joined.”

Throughout 2010 the community will continue to be updated as messages and writings from the Sakyong’s retreat come forth. There will also be opportunities to engage in practice sessions that create a karmic bond to the Sakyong’s retreat as well as opportunities to help sponsor it.