General Spiritual Director
The magic of January retreats
Feb 3, 2025
The magic of January retreats
January is a special month where centers emphasize retreats.
Here are some activities organized at Madrid and Valencia in Spain and Ticino in Switzerland.
Two big retreats at KMC Madrid
At KMC Madrid we had three blessed events in January: an empowerment and two counting retreats. As the counting retreats progressed, the transformation within the participants became unmistakable. They described the retreats as a turning point in their spiritual lives.
Close retreat of Vajrayogini
This January, eight practitioners gathered to inaugurate the newly dedicated Keajra meditation room at KMC Madrid. With joyful anticipation, they embarked on a Vajrayogini close retreat, an immersive journey to deepen their connection with the Wisdom Buddha Vajrayogini.
This retreat not only marked the opening of the Keajra meditation room but also the beginning of an annual tradition at KMC Madrid. Each year, practitioners will have the opportunity to draw closer to Vajrayogini through this transformative practice.
May the blessings of Vajrayogini continue to inspire and transform countless lives, leading all beings to lasting inner peace.
OCEAN OF INFINITE GOOD FORTUNE RETREAT
This special retreat began with a radiant rainbow stretching across the sky. For us, it symbolized the blessings of our precious Guru, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. 25 faithful practitioners gathered for the Supreme Ocean of Infinite Good Fortune retreat, dedicating themselves to accumulating 100,000 recitations of our Guru’s name mantra, a profound practice to deepen faith and inner transformation.
At the weekends, more devoted practitioners joined, immersing themselves in the retreat as a preliminary guide. The retreat started with heartfelt offerings to the Spiritual Guide, an expression of gratitude and a request for blessings to inspire our practice. This powerful start set the tone for the retreat, nurturing a sense of connection and devotion that carried through each meditation session.
The final days were marked by joy and transformation as many reached their goal of 100,000 mantras. Their faces radiated peace and strength, reflecting the profound blessings and realizations gained through their efforts. Laughter and unity filled the space as practitioners dedicated their achievements to the flourishing of Dharma worldwide.
This retreat was a journey of deep spiritual growth, a step closer to our Guru’s heart, and a reminder of the power of collective practice. May this dedication inspire others to embark on the path of inner peace and wisdom, spreading the blessings of Dharma to all beings.
a Joyful Inner Journey in ticino
With January being the month of retreats, Menla Centre in Ticino (Switzerland) did not miss this unique opportunity to engage in retreat.
In the first week of the month, the center began with A Joyful Inner Journey, a Lamrim retreat on the 21 meditations, from Our Precious Human Life to Relying upon a Spiritual Guide.
Lamrim retreat with Gen Kelsang Cho
This was followed by three equally precious weekends with retreats on the Perfection of Wisdom, Blissful Path, and ending on the weekend of the 25th with the Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability.
There was also Vajrayogini self-initiation, Feast of Great Bliss on Vajrayogini Day, the 10th of January, and on Heruka Day, the 25th, Offering to the Spiritual Guide with tsog. All of this was under the clear, profound and loving guidance of our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Chö.
These retreats were attended by many of the Ticino Sangha, as well as several Italian practitioners.
Many virtuous seeds were planted in January 2025 among the mountains and lakes of Ticino. What great good fortune!
An auspicious January at KMC Valencia
KMC Valencia started the year enjoying our traditional 24 hour Tara retreat and two other beautiful retreats: the Yoga of Buddha Amitayus and Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings.
We also had an open house and a free talk learning where to find pure happiness. We also celebrated Heruka and Vajrayogini days with tsog offerings.
Thanks so much, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for this meaningful life. May we repay your kindness.
Public Talk
