Cultivate Immeasurable Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Impartiality in this 7-Day Meditation Retreat Led by B. Alan Wallace

Co-hosted by Shambhala Mountain Center and Wisdom Publications

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has often commented that the essence of spiritual practice is cultivating a good heart. As important as shamatha (meditative quiescence) and vipashyana (insight meditation) are within the Buddhist tradition, it is crucial to balance such practices with the cultivation of altruism.

In this meditation retreat, B. Alan Wallace will teach a sequence of meditations for the cultivation of the “Four Immeasurables,” namely loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and impartiality. While many teachings on Buddhist meditation fill us with a longing to spend more time in quiet, solitary meditation, these practices bring us back to life, to the active world of living with others. The optimal situation to apply these teachings on cultivating a good heart is active life, socially engaged with other people at home and about town, moving away from habitual self-centeredness to greater empathy and loving concern for the welfare for those around us.

This retreat will consist of teachings, guided meditations, and discussions. Regardless of whether we hold to any religious beliefs, these practices can be of benefit to everyone seeking to explore their own capacity to experience unconditional love and compassion.

About B. Alan Wallace

Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind. A scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since 1970, he has taught Buddhist theory and meditation worldwide since 1976. Having devoted fourteen years to training as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by H. H. the Dalai Lama, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in physics and philosophy of science. Wallace is the author of many titles published by Wisdom Publications including Stilling the Mind and The Attention Revolution.

Tuition

$400

Sample Lodging Options

All lodging includes 3 meals each day.

More lodging options available on the registration page.

Lodge Dorm $117 per night
Lodge Double $158 per night
Lodge Single $219 per night
Subsidized Rate $65 per night

*Price for Lodge Double is per person.

About Shambhala Mountain Center

Nestled high in the Colorado Rockies 2 hours north of Denver, Shambhala Mountain Center is a six-hundred-acre mountain valley retreat surrounded by native forests, gentle meadows and rocky peaks. Tamed by decades of use as a contemplative refuge, we provide a safe and supportive container for exploring paths of deepened awareness, personal wellbeing and societal transformation. For more than 40 years, extraordinary people have gathered here to experience Shambhala teachings and partake in over 100 year-round offerings featuring indigenous wisdom traditions, body awareness practices, contemplative arts, mindful living or other paths of personal transformation.

Click here to see our location in Google Maps.

Click here to review our retreat participant guide.

About Wisdom Publications

Wisdom Publications is the leading publisher of books, podcasts, and online courses on contemporary and classic Buddhism, mindfulness, and meditation. Wisdom is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to cultivating writers and teachers the world over, advancing critical scholarship, preserving and sharing the literary culture of various contemplative traditions, and helping people find and engage with the teachers, teachings, and practices for a wise and compassionate life.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your reservation more than 14 days prior to arrival, you will receive a full refund less a credit card processing fee of 5% of payment. If you cancel between 2 to 14 days prior to arrival, we will credit your payment towards another program at Shambhala Mountain Center to be used within 2 years. No refunds or credits are issued for cancellations received fewer than 48-hours prior to arrival.

Click here to learn more about cancellations, rates, and payments.

Children Policy

Shambhala Mountain Center welcomes children of parents/guardians who are participating in our scheduled programs, or who are simply engaging in a personal retreat. However, we do not provide childcare. Parents are encouraged to also bring a caretaker for their children, so that the parents can fully participate in their program.

Click here to learn more about bringing your child to SMC.

Arrival Details

Registration takes place from 2– 5 pm on your program start date. All participants and volunteer staff must check in at our Guest Registration house. Please arrive before 5 pm to check in and settle into your accommodations. Your program begins with dinner, followed by an orientation. The Guest Registration house closes at 5:30 pm after which no one is available to provide information or orient you to your accommodations.  Further specifics regarding your program’s schedule will be available upon arrival. If applicable, you will receive an email from the program coordinator in the week prior to your program with any additional information you may need.