"The Vajrayana lineage and fire happens whenever Vajra sangha gather and practice together... gathering as a Vajra sangha and studying and practicing together are our very dharma life; there is no substitute." – Reggie Ray
The Vajrayana Practice Intensive is an opportunity for simple, focused practice -- a time during which we can immerse ourselves in our ngöndro, Vajrayogini, or formless practice. While a majority of the schedule will be practice, the intensive will be led by David Iozzi, and each group will be supported by group-specific teaching, discussion, and study (note: vajrayogini teachings, discussion, and study will be self-organized by the vajrayogini mandala).
This program will take place at the same time as the Meditation Instructor Training. Though these programs will be happening concurrently they will not share a curriculum or teaching space. You may only register and attend one of these programs.
Vajrayana students who have completed Vajra Assembly but have not yet completed a VTI are required to attend the Vajrayana Practice Intensive in order to deepen their experience in the vajrayana mandala before attending VTI. Vajrayana students who have attended a VTI in the past, and who aren’t attending the MI Training, are invited to join the practice intensive and deepen their practice as a participant or staff member.
Location
Blazing Mountain Retreat Center
Crestone, CO
Who Can attend?
Participation is for current tantrikas in Dharma Ocean and those who have completed Vajra Assembly. Those attending VTI for the first time are required to attend the whole program.
About the Teacher
David Iozzi has been practicing for over 15-years and training with Reggie since 2004. He holds the study and practice of meditation as his primary life commitment. In 2006 he developed a meditation program based on "Meditating with the Body" at a large, non-profit research institute where he worked as a research scientist and engineer. David’s teaching draws on his love of science and a background in Japanese martial arts and explores how the depth of being uncovered in practice manifests in everyday experience. In 2013 David moved to Boulder to serve as Dharma Ocean’s Executive Director.
Registration
Registration for this program will be available soon.
This program will take place at the same time as the Meditation Instructor Training. Though these programs will be happening concurrently they will not share a curriculum or teaching space. You may only register and attend one of these programs.
To learn more about this summer’s Vajrayana programs, click here.
Retreat Details
Please plan to arrive between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2016. Departure will be after breakfast on Sunday July 31, 2016 if you are also attending either the Practice Intensive or Meditation Instructor Training and can only attend one week of VTI. For those attending the whole VTI program plan to depart after breakfast on Sunday August 14, 2016.
*If you are staff or work-study for this program plan to arrive a day early. Those doing take-down work-study will also need to stay through 5pm on departure day. Please contact Katherine Walker (registrar@dharmaocean.org) if you have questions.
Check out our Program FAQ page for other important information about being on retreat at Blazing Mountain. For any further questions please email katherine@dharmaocean.org.
Scholarship & Work-Study
There will be scholarship and work-study available for this program. If you are interested in this option please register for the program and fill out an application by June 12, 2016. Click here for more information, and to find the online financial aid application. You are welcome to apply at any time. Applications will be reviewed shortly after the scholarship deadline.
Transportation
For general information about traveling to our retreat center, please see the Getting Here page on the Blazing Mountain website.
Dharma Ocean offers a shuttle service from Moffat to the retreat center for those riding the Black Hills Stage Line from Denver. There are limited seats available, therefore we suggest that you choose this option at registration if you need this service and would like to guarantee a seat. The cost of the shuttle is $30 round-trip.
Program Staffing Opportunities
If you feel inspired and called to deepen your training by serving in a staff role, please visit Service and Volunteering Opportunities and fill out the staff request form.