Programs at Casa Werma

Rates for Full Tuition plus Accommodation
  • Off-site Estancia de la Era King Suite – $1,845.00
  • Agave Suite - programs – $1,680.00
  • Colibri Suite - programs – $1,680.00
  • Leoncita – $1,460.00
  • La Casita Shared Lodging – $1,185.00
  • Camping in the Garden – $1,075.00
  • Off-site Estancia De La Era Queen Size – $1,625.00
  • Off-site Estancia de la Era - King Size – $1,735.00
  • Commuter – $800.00
    • *** ALL ABOVE POSTED RATES INCLUDE $800.00 FULL PROGRAM TUITION ***

Date & Time Details: We start with a group dinner at 6 pm on the arrival day March 2, 2023, followed by orientation and opening remarks by the teacher. On all other program days, we start before breakfast with opening chants and practice at 7:00 a.m. and end after dinner with practice and closing chants by 9:00 p.m. There is a daily two-hour midday break. On the departure day March 13, 2023, there will be no program activities and a light, continental breakfast will be made available to all participants.

Location: Casa Werma

Email us about program

Ten-Day Mahamudra Retreat

con Richard John

March 2 - 13, 2023

Restricted to Shambhala tantrikas, who have attended Vajrayana Seminary or Sacred World Assembly.

This annual Mahamudra Retreat at Casa Werma will be structured according to the classic text by the Karmapa IX, “Pointing Out the Dharmakaya.” This retreat will align the traditional investigation and pointing out instructions of mahamudra and trekcho. The lung for this practice will be given at the beginning of the retreat.

Mahamudra, the “great seal,” is among the most profound streams of teaching and practice of Vajrayana Buddhism. Revered as a powerful support for all other tantric practices, it is also extremely simple and direct, focused on recognizing and gaining confidence in the true nature of mind through direct experience.

This retreat is appropriate for Shambhala tantrikas at all levels of practice. Scorpion Seal practitioners will have two separate sessions for the SSA “morning practices.”

All participants must enter the retreat at the very beginning and commit to the entire 10-day retreat. 

Full program tuition not including accommodations: $800 usd   We invite all who are able to do so to pay the full tuition rate.  By doing so, you cover the direct cost of your stay here and contribute to Casa Werma’s year-round operating expenses.

A dual program discount of 10% is offered to all participants enrolled in BOTH the Dralas of Casa Werma and the 10-Day Mahamudra retreat in 2023. The discount code is: Dual program

Pay-It-Forward program tuition not including accommodations: $908 usd  We invite all who are able to do so to consider paying the Pay-It-Forward tuition rate. By doing so, you make it possible for us to offer scholarships to others, particularly our Mexico sangha, while also covering the direct cost of your stay here and contributing to Casa Werma’s year-round operations. Please select Pay-It-Forward Tuition Add-On in Registration.

Subsidized program tuition not including accommodations: 20% off Full Tuition  If the full program tuition is unworkable for you, please pay the subsidized rate. Unfortunately, Casa Werma is not able to offer work/trade options at this time. Please type “SUBSIDIZED” in Discount Code in Registration.

Off Site Hotel Accommodations: For those who are interested in staying off site. We recommend the following hotels in Centro Patzcuaro:

Estancia de la Era 

Hotel Casa Encantada

Posada Yolihuani

All of them offer a discount to our participants if you mention “Casa Werma” and they are within 5-20 minutes walking distance to our meditation center.

Travel Arrangements: We recommend flights into Morelia airport (90 minutes away by car). We can help with travel arrangements, please visit our How to Get Here page for more info or send us an email at: [email protected] with any further questions. All participant air travel will be offset by The Good Traveler carbon offset program.

Please email [email protected] with any further questions.

Teacher / Maestr@

Richard John
Richard John, an early student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, has served as acharya for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche for 20 years. He completed the first three-year retreat at Gampo Abbey, and now teaches Shambhala Buddhist meditation courses full time. Richard and his wife Liz reside in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  
Learn more about Richard John