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.
Events with Richard John
10-Day Mahamudra & Trekcho RetreatMarch 1 - 13, 2025
The training in recognizing mind essence is this: short moment repeated many times. There is no other way. –Tulku Urgyen Vajrayana practitioners are invited to join us for the 12th (almost annual) 10-Day Mahamudra and Trekchö Retreat at Casa Werma. Based on the transmission of the nature of mind by the guru, emphasis will be on direct personal experience–not scholarship. The pith instructions of mahamudra and dzogchen are extremely consistent. Hearing these from different masters of the Practice Lineage, taking them to heart personally, and applying them in meditation leads to realization. Realization is not a matter of hoping and…
Dralas of Casa Werma RetreatMarch 15 - 23, 2025
“The dralas are dying to meet you!” –the Dorje Dradul The inherent magic of this adobe-walled oasis was apparent to Chögyam Trungpa when he wrote “The Roar of the Werma” here in 1980. So did Sakyong Mipham when he visited Casa Werma and wrote the poem “Kalapa Patzcuaro” in 2014. This one-week vajrayana retreat, following the annual 10-Day Mahamudra Retreat, will be grounded in the practice and study of the Werma Sadhana. We will also explore some of the drala treasures of the Patzcuaro region, including indigenous pyramids, sacred lakes, and regional cuisine and arts. A highlight of every retreat…
