Meditation, Culture, Community

Steeped in more than 40 years of contemplative practices, Karmê Chöling in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont offers retreats and programs that can awaken us to a deeper sense of self and community, restore us to our natural state of well-being and uncover the compassion and wisdom inherent in each of us.

Karmê Chöling is an extraordinary place with a one-acre organic vegetable and flower garden, woodland walking trails and limitless stars that illuminate the night sky. Situated on 700 acres of rolling Vermont countryside, we offer meditation and leadership retreats, family, children and teen retreats, mind-body programs and organic garden apprenticeships. Our residential community offers a vibrant and energetic culture filled with deep appreciation, genuineness and playful delight.

Meditation: Meditation retreats at Karmê Chöling focus on mindfulness-awareness practices as a means for connecting with our innate goodness and natural intelligence, and using that insight as inspiration for our encounters with the world. We provide a magical setting to step out of our habitual lives and awaken to a deeper sense of self. In this way, we find space to explore what it means to be fully human while deepening our connection to the Earth, society and ourselves.

Culture: Karmê Chöling strives to create a rich culture rooted in the principle that every human being has fundamental goodness, warmth and wakefulness. Our programs allow us to experience the natural source of radiance and wisdom inherent in each of us. Our rural setting immerses us in the natural elements—sky, wind, water, earth—so that we are further enriched by our interaction with the world around us.

Community: We’re all in this together! A retreat at Karmé Chöling allows us to connect with others in a deep and meaningful way. Here people come together to practice meditation and celebrate one another in order to cultivate a global community of kindness, bravery and genuine dialogue. Our vision is to inspire compassionate, sustainable and just human societies. Come unplug, relax, reflect and reconnect with your humanity. Leave reinvigorated with new skills and a fresh perspective that will give more meaning to your daily life.

Services provided: Meditation retreats; residential retreats; family, teen and children retreats; contemplative arts programs; mind and body programs; organic garden apprenticeships.

Area of specialty: Mindfulness-awareness meditation.

About Karmê Chöling: We are part of a large global Shambhala community that takes its name from a legendary kingdom famous for being an enlightened society. Today, the global Shambhala network brings together people of all ages and from all walks of life who are interested in exploring our own minds, transforming our experience and awakening our potential for enlightened society. Shambhala is based on trust in human dignity. We offer a path of meditation practice and contemplative arts oriented towards modern life.

Karmê Chöling, Shambhala Meditation Center, 369 Patneaude Lane, Barnet, VT. For more information, call 802-633-2384 or visit KarmeCholing.org.