Weekend Retreat
The Light of Awareness

Saturday January 4 & Sunday January 5, 1:00 - 7:30 PM

Gather with the Dharma Refuge Sangha
for a live-streamed retreat with Anam Thubten Rinpoche

There are two forces competing with each other in all of us. One pulls us into unawareness, which is the basis of all suffering. The other force is awareness, which leads us to freedom, love, and even transcendence. The good news is that we all have a choice to be aligned with awareness.

During this retreat, Anam Thubten will invite participants to ignite the light of awareness inside and immerse themselves in it. He will speak about how to replace the habit of unawareness with the habit of awareness. This will not only be of benefit to ourselves but enable us to become a source of goodness to the world around us. During this powerful time, it is more essential than ever for us to ascend into a more enlightened state of mind, for the benefit of all.

Attendance and Registration
Please consider joining the Dharma Refuge for this special event so we can savor the warmth of sangha, both near and far, as we start the New Year!
When
Saturday January 4 - Sunday Jan. 5, 1:00 - 7:30 EST*
*see "In-Person Attendance Details" below if you plan to attend in-person at the Dharma Center

Where
You may watch from home via Zoom. Or attend in person with the Dharma Refuge sangha Covenant United Methodist Church, 1124 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14609

Dharma Refuge Center located on the second floor. Entry is off the parking lot in the back of the church. There is an elevator off the lobby.

In-Person Attendance Details
  • Doors will open each day at 12:30 ET. We suggest you arrive and settle in by 12:50. Please be aware that, because church doors are ordinarily locked, you will not be able to enter after 1:00.
  • There will be a break at approximately 3:35 ET each day, lasting approximately 1 hour, 40 minutes. The retreat is scheduled to resume at 5:00.
    For those who have left the Dharma Center during the break, doors will re-open at 4:35. We encourage everyone to be quietly seated in the meditation hall by 4:50. Doors will be locked at 5:00.
  • Participants may wish to visit one of the nearby restaurants during the break or stay in the Dharma Center to reflect, meditate, or connect with other participants.
  • We ask that participants avoid unnecessary speech in the meditation hall throughout the day. But you are free to socialize in the tea room or hallway.  
  • Tea and water will be available. Participants may bring their own food or snacks to enjoy in the tea room. Please do not bring food into the meditation hall.
About the Teacher

Anam Thubten grew up in Tibet and, at an early age, began to practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his many teachers, his most formative guides were Lama Tsurlo, Khenpo Chopel, and Lama Garwang. He is the founder and spiritual advisor of Dharmata Foundation, teaching widely in the U.S. and abroad. He is also the author of various articles and books in Tibetan and English. His books in English include: Choosing Compassion, No Self No Problem, Into the Haunted Ground, and The Citadel of Awareness.

Through the essential wisdom of Buddhism and his personal experience on the spiritual path, Anam Thubten brings alive timeless teachings and invites everyone to participate.

Anam Thubten's teaching and retreat schedule. 
No previous meditation or Dharma experience is needed. Everyone is welcome to be a part of this community (sangha) weekend.