Mantra Sadhana Retreat

The Mantra Sadhana Retreat at Center Vajra is a profound immersion into Yidam practice—the meditative union with an enlightened Buddha-aspect. This intensive group practice utilizes a shared, focused contemplation on the deity's form and essence as a mirror for our true nature. Through deep meditation and sacred sound, we dissolve perceived boundaries, allowing the deity's wisdom to manifest within and transform the habitual patterns of our mind and heart.

At its core, the retreat is a collective journey of mantra. The powerful, unified recitation of sacred syllables amplifies spiritual energy, creates a resonant field of shared intention, and deepens the connection within the group. This communal vibration elevates the practice from a personal discipline into a universal offering—fostering healing, sharpening focus, and generating blessings that extend beyond the self to benefit all beings.

Your primary purpose at Center Vajra is to deepen spiritual practice. By adhering to the established rules, you actively participate in creating the stable and protected container in which genuine insight can arise.

Place

Center Vajra is located at an altitude of 3900 meters above sea level, near the sacred lakes of Kinsa Cocha in Peru.

To ensure nothing distracts from inner work, the retreat space is organized as a unified whole on a single level. Your living quarters, common rest areas, and the sacred space of the ceremony hall are in harmonious proximity, forming a closed circle of practice and seclusion.

Way of Life

Cultivate inner discipline, simplicity in daily life, and be content with minimal comforts.

State of Mind: Maintain inner calm, a measured pace, and observe silence on the premises.

Care for Yourself and the Space: Attend to personal hygiene and keep your surroundings clean. Use resources—food, water, electricity, and your time—mindfully and sparingly.

Participation: We invite you to engage in selfless service (karma yoga)—assisting in the kitchen, cleaning, or other communal tasks.

Respect for Spiritual Practice: In the meditation temple and during ceremonies, adhere to the established rules and maintain a peaceful, collected presence.

Mindfulness in Every Action: Remember that your thoughts and actions are visible.

Accommodation

To ensure nothing distracts from inner work, the retreat space is organized as a single, unified area on one level. Your accommodation, common rest areas, and the sacred space of the ceremony hall are in harmonious proximity, forming a closed circle of practice and seclusion.

Schedule

DAY 1

12:30 PM – Arrival, check-in

1:00 PM – Riwo Sangchö Ritual (Mountain Smoke Offering)

3:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 1

6:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 2

DAY 2

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 1

12:00 PM – Breakfast

1:00 PM – Riwo Sangchö Ritual (Mountain Smoke Offering)

3:00 – 5:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 2

6:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 – 9:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 3

DAY 3

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 1

12:00 PM – Breakfast

1:00 PM – Riwo Sangchö Ritual (Mountain Smoke Offering)

3:00 – 5:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 2

6:00 PM – Dinner

7:00 – 9:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 3

DAY 4

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Mantra Sadhana Session 1

12:00 PM – Breakfast

1:00 PM – Riwo Sangchö Ritual (Mountain Smoke Offering)

For the Riwo Sangchö ritual, special offerings are needed. Recommended items: copal, coca leaves, lavender, hierba dulce, corn, rice, incense.

What to Bring

  1. Mala beads (for mantra practice, if you do this).
  2. Personal hygiene items.
  3. Warm clothing: thermal underwear, woolen garments, warm socks. As Vajra Center is located high in the mountains, temperatures can be extremely low, so you will need at least three layers of warm clothing.
  4. Slippers.
  5. Wrist watch.
  6. Meditation cushion—if you have one that you usually use for your practice.
  7. Water bottle/thermos.
  8. Flowers for the altar (optional).

Recommendations

To maintain an atmosphere of deep immersion and the safety of the space, please follow these guidelines:

Staying at the Center

We ask that you do not leave the center's territory for the entire duration of the retreat. This is a necessary condition for maintaining inner focus, deriving maximum benefit from the practice, and for the mutual support of all participants.

On Physical Comfort During Practice

We understand that prolonged sitting in meditation posture can be challenging. Please prepare your body before sessions and gently restore it afterward—a special space for exercises and stretching is available in our garden for this purpose. If it's too cold outside, you can do it in common areas inside the Center.

On Respect for the Meditation Temple Space

The Hall is the heart of our practice, a sacred place for collective and personal work.

Purpose: Use it exclusively for meditation and ceremonies. Please refrain from sleeping, exercising, personal conversations, and using strong scents (essential oils, perfumes, Aqua Florida).

Order: Keep your area clean and arrange personal belongings neatly.

Leaving During a Session: If you need to leave, try to do so during a short break between practice cycles to avoid disrupting others' concentration.

On Respect for the Process and the Teacher

The Teacher guides you through this process. Please show respect for their time and energy:

Punctuality: Arrive on time for all meditations, rituals (including Riwo Sangchö), practices and ceremonies.

Personal Questions: If you have questions regarding practice, you may request a personal consultation.

On the Integrity of Your Practice

For optimal results, we recommend refraining from any other spiritual or esoteric practices for the duration of the retreat, focusing entirely on the offered path.

Before the Retreat

For a harmonious retreat experience, we recommend turning your attention inward. Minimize external activity, maintain inner balance, and, if it is your practice, dedicate time to mantra recitation.

Light, simple food and gentle physical exercise, especially stretching for the back and legs, will provide important support.

Of particular importance is forming a clear and pure intention. The highest and most virtuous form is the aspiration for the benefit and liberation of all sentient beings. May this aspiration become the foundation of your path during this retreat.

After the Retreat

Preserve Inner Silence: Protect the state of wholeness you have found by minimizing external impressions and noise in the first few days.

Postpone Activity: Avoid urgent tasks and intensive communication. Allow yourself time to rest and gently return to the rhythm of daily life.

Continue Your Practice: Daily spiritual rituals (meditation, mantras) will help solidify and deepen the experience gained during the retreat.

Cost

Accommodation and two daily meals: $200 USD for 3 days.

The conduct of our spiritual practices is made possible by the generosity of participants. At the end of the retreat, you will have the opportunity to make a donation in a form convenient for you to support the continuation of this work.

We wish you a good practice for the benefit of all sentient beings!