White Tara is a beautiful meditation for developing kindness and compassion, increasing spiritual vitality and overcoming fears. She represents the feminine energy of the Buddhas. She is said to have originated from the tears of the deity Avalokiteshvara when he wept about the extent and intensity of the suffering experienced by all beings.
Our Annual White Tara meditation retreat provides an opportunity for new students to receive the empowerment and learn the practice, and for experienced students to progress. There are group practice sessions to help the student familiarise themselves with the technique, such as the recitation and meaning of the White Tara mantra and visualizations, and Lama Choedak Rinpoche gives a remarkably thorough explanation of the symbology of the practice as well as its everyday relevance.
All basic Buddhist meditation techniques are included in the practice, with special emphasis placed on the creative visualisation meditations of Vajrayana Buddhism. Lama Choedak Rinpoche’s realisation, dedication and experience are transmitted through the heartwarming atmosphere of which this retreat is conducted as well as the joy and humour he brings, particularly in the question and answer sessions.
The practice and teachings of White Tara will be valuable in everyday life and can help bring greater clarity, calm and inner-joy. Students who receive the empowerment and undertake the practice of White Tara will increase their spiritual vitality, intensify their capacity for compassion, and overcome fears, including the fear of death.
Important: To find out when this event will next be held, visit our What’s On page here, and subscribe to our mailing list here for updates.
Regarding Family Participation: We often combine the White Tara and Family Retreat at the same time. In this case, partners and children are welcome to attend.
Follows is a typical schedule for the event:
Annual White Tara Retreat at SIBA
Day 1
6.00 Registration / Room Allocation/ Orientation
7:00 Dinner
8:00 White Tara Introductory Teaching
10:00 Sleeping Yoga
Day 2
6:00 Calm Abiding Meditation
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 White Tara Empowerment Ceremony
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 White Tara Teaching
12:30 Lunch Break
2:00 White Tara Practice Session
3:30 Break
4:00 White Tara Teaching
5:30 Break (Face to Face Interviews with Rinpoche)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 White Tara Practice Session
9:30 Sleeping Yoga
Day 3
5:00 Precept Ceremony
6:00 White Tara Practice Session
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 White Tara Teaching
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 White Tara Practice Session
12:30 Lunch Break
2:00 White Tara Teaching
3:30 Break
4:00 Question and Answer Session
5:30 Break
6:00 White Tara Practice Session followed by sharing session
8.00 Sleeping Yoga
Day 4
6.00 White Tara Practice Session
7:30 Breakfast
8.30 White Tara Teaching
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 Group Mudra (hand Gesture) Practice Session
12:30 Lunch Break
2:00 White Tara In Everyday Life
3:30 Break
4:00 White Tara Practice Session
5:30 Break
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Q and A
9:30 Sleeping Yoga
Day 5
6:00 White Tara Practice Session
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Final White Tara Teaching
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 White Tara Practice Session
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Retreat Complete
Important: To find out when this event will next be held, visit our What’s On page here, and subscribe to our mailing list here for updates.