Spiritual programme
We conduct regular practices at Drogmi Retreat Centre, various retreats throughout the year, as well as Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe's teaching programme around Sydney and Australia.
Regular group practices
While individual practice is important, many of us find it beneficial to practise with a group of like-minded people, especially in a setting where our teacher can give guided meditations and explanations. Our practices include meditation sessions held every Sunday morning in our simple, beautiful shrine room.
Workshops and courses
Study is another important aspect of Buddhism so we can learn what to adopt and what to abandon. It is helpful to have a teacher to guide us, and spiritual friends for mutual support.
Retreats
Retreats are a time for reflection and contemplation of the Buddhadharma and are an essential aid towards training our mind and establishing strong spiritual foundations. At Drogmi Retreat Centre, we offer the opportunity to take personal individual retreats, or join our group retreats throughout the year.
Drogmi Retreat Centre is an ideal location for retreat, allowing you to spend time away from the concerns and demands of everyday routines and free from distractions, in a quiet and private bush setting. Whether the retreat is 3 or 8 or more days, it is invaluable to be able to sit in a secluded, beautiful place and just study and meditate. It is a great gift to yourself to be able to do this with a gifted teacher such as Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe.
The retreats that we conduct include an annual Shamatha retreat and retreats relating to specific meditation practices such as White Tara or Vajrayogini. Our retreats are usually a blend of teaching, immersion in traditional Tibetan Buddhist practice, and quiet time to absorb the learning of the day. As an example, the daily routine during the Shamatha retreat includes:
- morning Green Tara practice
- morning Shamatha practice and teaching
- teaching on a particular text or topic, by Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe
- discussion time for questions and answers
- evening Vajrasattva practice
There is plenty of free time to enjoy the bush environment and the community of other retreatants, or for your own personal practices. There is also a period of silence during the day, known as noble silence - a further opportunity to quiet the mind, giving all of our senses a rest and deepening our reflective experience without the distraction of chatter or conversation. Noble silence helps us learn to refrain from saying everything that springs to mind, to train ourselves to reduce harmful speech which can cause suffering to others and ourselves.
The benefit of retreat can be far reaching - but retreats can be challenging as well as rewarding, so there are opportunities throughout the days to talk to our teacher, ordained Sangha or senior students about any difficulties you encounter.
Accomodation at Drogmi is basic but adequate. One of the main points of retreat is to leave the 21st century distractions such as television and mobile phones behind. You can stay in a shared dormitory, bring your own tent, or make your own arrangements to stay in motel accommodation nearby in North Richmond or Richmond.
