The Maine Retreat
“Bodhichitta is absolute nonaggression, the epitome of nonaggression. It is peace without reward, and openness without feedback. You are simply open. The quality of gentleness and peace in the bodhisattva’s approach is absolutely devastating.” —Chögyam Trungpa
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” —Desmond Tutu
“There is hope in people. Not in society, not in systems, but in you and me.” —Krishnamurti
This year’s retreat is an exploration of how to obtain “peace.” The idea of brokering peace means negotiating personal views with shared views on what is acceptable to keep harmony between humans and their environment.
These challenging times have intensified the friction between personal peace, environmental peace, economic peace, and cultural peace. The idea of peace as a shared reality seems hopeless, given the chasms that separate us on issues of politics, culture, gender, and race. Our endeavors for peace often seem to perpetuate distance rather than understanding.
How can we allow, maintain, and create space for clarity when it so quickly becomes crowded with chaos and pain from wars, economic strife, and trauma – both personal and collective? How can Buddhist teachings and practices help with such challenges?
Our main emphasis at this year’s retreat will be on the lojong teachings. The practice of lojong or “mind training” is based on expressing our practice through compassionate and effective actions. It challenges us to show up authentically and to be curious as to how to actively engage in the world. Lojong challenges us to take on difficulties and awaken our hearts.
At this time in our human development our gaze must be raised. Rather than merely envisioning peace, we are now called upon to engage with the world in a way that awakens peace.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Click HERE to apply.
Practice the Teachings of
The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma
During the Profound Treasury Retreat, we practice and study topics from The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, a compilation of the teachings that Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave over a span of 13 years at the Vajradhatu Seminaries, an intensive 3-month program of study and practice he offered to his students. Participants are strongly encouraged to study The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, especially the suggested readings, to help prepare for the retreat.
Teachers
Judy Lief
Judy Lief was a close student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who trained and empowered her as a teacher. She has been a Buddhist practitioner and teacher for over 45 years, and continues to teach throughout the world. Judy is an editor of many of Chögyam Trungpa’s books including, The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma volumes.
Judy is also active in the field of death and dying, and is the author of Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality. She offers workshops and retreats on the contemplative care of the dying for pastoral counselors, hospice workers, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Her numerous articles have appeared in Lion’s Roar magazine, Buddhadharma: The Practitioners Quarterly, O Magazine, Tricycle, and The Naropa Journal of Contemplative Psychotherapy, among others.
Her podcast series Dharma Glimpses is a series of talks on different aspects of meditation practice and is based on Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s unique presentation of meditation. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
At the Maine retreat this year, Judy will be joined by Barry Boyce and a group of newer teachers to lead the Main Class talks & discussion.
Barry Boyce
Barry Boyce is a professional writer, editor, and corporate
trainer, who is the founding editor of Mindful magazine
and mindful.org. He is co-author of The Rules of Victory, a
commentary on the strategic principles that underlie Sun
Tzu’s Art of War, and a member of the Denma Translation
Group, which produced a groundbreaking translation of
the Sun Tzu text, published in 2002.
A longtime meditation practitioner and teacher, he is the
editor of and a primary contributor to the books The
Mindfulness Revolution: Leading Psychologists,
Scientists, Artists, and Meditation Teachers on the Power
of Mindfulness in Daily Life, and In the Face of Fear.
Damita Brown
Damita Brown is a Madison, Wisconsin based activist, writer, and workshop leader. She prioritizes work that brings contemplative practices and transformative action together. Damita’s PhD research focused on integrative analyses of race, class, gender, and other categories. Her workshops offer a supportive yet challenging space to liberate identity from the toxic traps and harmful norms of white supremacist culture. As a long-time student of the Buddhadharma and committed meditator, she helps participants gain deeper understanding of the role of inner friendship in dismantling egotism, us versus them narratives, and aggression. In 2017 she developed the Community Lab for Intentional Practice (CLIP) approach for anti-racist community building.
Travis Detour
Travis Detour has been meditating in the Shambhala community since 2011 where he first encountered and fell in love with the teachings of Choygam Trungpa Rinpoche. Travis has held various leadership roles over the years, including leading the 30’s and Under group in Boston, teaching meditation in various contexts, and is now a board member of the Boston Shambhala Center. He attended the first Profound Treasury Retreat in 2013 and in recent years has offered A/V and tech support for the annual retreat at Ferry Beach. Travis works for the Buddhist Digital Resource Center as a digital archive engineer and has helped to setup digitization projects for Buddhist manuscripts in Thailand, Mongolia, and Nepal. In his non-existent spare time Travis enjoys salsa dancing, travel to distant lands, and befriending dogs.
Tavita Martinez
Tavita is a community-based therapist specializing in trauma and spirituality through Mudwymn. She began practicing meditation while visiting Thailand in 2000 and has continued on the path.
Daniel Nguyen
Daniel Nguyen has been a Buddhist practitioner in Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s communities for the past decade. He is involved with the Profound Treasury Retreat and serves on its board, has taught with the Ocean online community, and participated in the Opening the Dharma Treasury editors’ group. He lives in Montreal, Quebec, and works as a family physician.
Jacqueline (Gallo) Ruggiero
Jacqueline (Gallo) Ruggiero is a meditation practitioner and student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Jacqueline first discovered dharma after a series of traumatic losses and auspicious circumstances that led her to encounter CTR’s book The Sacred Path of the Warrior. With a strong connection to the lineage, gratitude, and a deep desire to be of benefit to the sangha, she currently serves as President and Board Chair for the Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation.
Jacqueline is also currently serving as Chief Operating Officer for Pursuit, one of the top five largest, privately held aircraft engine part manufacturers in the world. She has studied and practiced the principles of the Toyota Production System and Kaizen with a world-renowned Sensei, Chihiro Nakao San, for close to two decades.
Jacqueline is a vocal and visible leader in prison reform as well as an advocate for creating meaningful career pathways and education for those currently and previously incarcerated. Jacqueline also serves on the Foundation Board for Capital Community College (CCC) in Hartford, CT. CCC is particularly focused on creating educational opportunities for an underserved area of the country and closing the education gap.
Emilia Volz
Emilia was born and raised in two Buddhist Communities – Shambhala and Mangala Shri Bhuti. She started practicing in her teenage years through Shambhala Training. In 2012 she formally became a student of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche and attended the Shechen Seminar in Croatia for many years. In 2019 Emilia attended a Profound Treasury Retreat with Judy Lief. The “alive” spirit of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and warm homecoming of Profound Treasury have led her to get more involved and she has since supported the practice, study, and administrative aspects of the retreat. Emilia is dedicated to the continuation of Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings and practices.
Chris Willcox
Chris Willcox is an artist, father, and dharma practitioner based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He spent his early career working in the neuroscience laboratory of Nobel laureate, Dr. Eric Kandel, and now dedicates his time to creating art, tending to the high desert landscape, and raising his young child. Chris was first introduced to Buddhist practice and study in 2009 at Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland and has since had the privilege of studying under many profound teachers such as Tai Situ Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and Judy Lief. He began teaching dharma at the request of his teachers.
Pricing
The price of the Profound Treasury Retreat includes the retreat, lodging, and meals. The price varies depending on the type of lodging you choose. We encourage you to apply early. Our refund policy and other useful information is in our FAQ section.
Accessible Housing: The Ferry Beach Retreat Center has two accessible rooms available for individuals with physical limitations. For more information about accessible rooms and their pricing contact us.
The Ferry Beach kitchen accommodates a wide range of diets and dietary needs including omnivore, vegetarian, vegan and gluten or dairy-free. We will ask participants to fill out a questionnaire before the retreat to make sure everyone’s preferences, special dietary needs, or allergies are part of the meal planning. You can find more information on meals at the retreat here.
Fees and Housing Options
Pricing Plans
For any questions regarding our pricing plans below, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Double Room
Most Popular!
$1295
Per Person
- Linens Provided
- May Specify Roommate
Single Room
$1750
Per Person
- Linens Provided
Double Tent
$955
Per Person
- You Supply the Tent, Gear and Towels
- Must specify tentmate
- All sites have electricity
- Some sites include a platform
Single Tent
$1100
Per Person
- You Supply the Tent, Gear and Towels
- All sites include electricity
- Some sites include a platform
Triple Room
$1100
Per Person
- Linens Provided
- Bunk Beds
“Generosity is a willingness to give, to open without philosophical or pious or religious motives, just simply doing what is required at any moment in any situation”
– Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Financial support
The Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation is committed to offering the authentic transmission of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings to all, regardless of their financial capacity.
If it will make the difference between attending or not attending the retreat, we encourage you to request financial support when you apply. Decisions on financial support are made concurrently with the application review.
If you would like to join us in offering financial support to those who need it to attend, please go to our Donations page.
The Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Sample Schedule for a Study Intensive Day
-
7:30-8:30am
Opening Chants and Sitting Meditation -
9:30-9:30am
Breakfast and Personal Time -
10:00-11:00am
Sitting Meditation & Guided Compassion Practice -
11:00-12:00pm
Main Class -
12:00-2:00pm
Lunch and Personal Time -
2:00-3:30pm
Elective Class -
3:30-4:00pm
Tea Break -
4:00-5:00pm
Personal Time -
5:00-6:00pm
Sitting Meditation -
6:00-7:00pm
Dinner -
7:00-9:00pm
Sitting Meditation -
9:00-10:00pm
Study / Personal Time -
10:00pm
Lights Out
Elective Classes
1) Be Grateful to Everyone: Contemplating and Applying the Lojong Slogans
with Elisabeth Gold
Take a deep dive into the heart meaning and practical application of lojong slogans. How do they apply to your life?
In this elective, we contemplate and reflect to engage deeply with lojong practice through facilitated exercises such as writing, reflection, conversation, and simulation, in small or large groups. The intention is to explore the view and meaning of compassion training.
Suggested Reading:
Be Grateful to Everyone by Pema Chodron
Always Apply Only A Joyful Mind by Pema Chodron
Training in compassion: Zen teachings on Lojong by Norm Fischer
Elisabeth Gold has been a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche since 1975. She practices medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia, mainly psychotherapy at present. She is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine with interests in communication skills and medical education; she is part of a team that teaches mindfulness to medical students, faculty, and staff. She has a master’s degree in Education and enjoys teaching and learning.
2) Meditation Instructor Training
with Damita Brown, Jon Frank, Judy Juskevitch, Jenny Gimian, Alana Ziegler
Meditation instructors play an important role in helping pass on the dharma to future students. They are qualified to provide basic instruction on posture and technique to new students and answer questions like: “What is meditation?” “How does one practice?” For those who are already practicing on the path, they act as a mirror and provide a reference point to help bring their fellow practitioners back to essential instructions or sometimes provide a breath of fresh air.
In this class we will cover the foundations of shamatha and vipashyana meditation instruction as presented by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. It will include significant interactive components including practicing giving instruction and participating in mock meetings based on scenarios previous meditation instructors have encountered.
This class is designed to focus primarily on the role of a meditation instructor in group settings both for those looking to present meditation at their local study group or meditation center and those who are ready to become a meditation instructor one-on-one at a group program like this retreat. However, for those with significant practice experience, it can also be a first step in becoming a meditation instructor for individual students in an ongoing long-term setting.
To be considered for authorization as a meditation instructor, full participation is required. This will include both completion of significant readings and attendance and active participation at all classes. We would also recommend that you have been practicing meditation regularly for at least 2 years and have done at least one other weekthün (or longer) retreat.
If you are interested in this elective, please fill out this short google form application.
Judi Juskevitch-Boyce has been a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche since 1977. She is a meditation instructor for shamatha, vipashyana, and ngondro practices and a long-time teacher of both Buddhist classes and Shambhala Training.
Jon Frank has been a student of Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche since 1973. Over the years, he has served as a teacher, meditation instructor, and administrator in the sangha, and is one of the founding board members of the Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation. He currently leads a meditation and study group in the Catskill Mountains region of New York with his wife, Michal Keeley.
Damita Brown is a community-based educator and consultant specializing in the application of contemplative practices to problems related to racism. Dr. Brown studied the relationship between social justice and racial identity at the University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a doctorate in History of Consciousness. She then taught at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Mills College. A seasoned activist, she worked in pro-peace, marriage equality and racial justice movements for over 20 years before turning her energy to a balance between self-reflective work and alternative community building. She is a dedicated student of Chogyam Trungpa and his senior students. She is passionate about the development of contemplative solutions for people of all backgrounds. Read more about her work on her website: insight4antiracism.com.
Alana Ziegler grew up in the Shambhala Buddhist community and has been practicing meditation for over fifteen years. She has a background in youth engagement and facilitation and has helped design and run Buddhist-inspired youth programs in China, Thailand, and India. Alana has also been involved in integrating mindfulness meditation into international development conferences and training programs. She currently organizes and teaches a community-based arts program.
Jenny Gimian has been a Buddhist practitioner in the Kagyu Nyingma Tibetan tradition and a practitioner of the Shambhala teachings for over 20 years. She has taught previous elective classes at the Profound Treasury Retreat in Maine on the Buddha Families and Work, Sex Money by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and been on the Profound Treasury Retreat Foundation’s board since 2015.
3) The Universe Story
with Robert del Tredici
Chögyam Trungpa once said: “There is only dharma art. It is the only thing I do.”
In this class, we will explore the complementary teachings of dharma art presented by Chögyam Trungpa, and those in the Universe Story, that appeared as a book by Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme in 1992. As Berry puts it “the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration, which is an exuberant expression of existence itself.”
Each session is a one-hour presentation with visuals, and half an hour of Q&A.
Robert Del Tredici attended college at St. Joseph’s Seminary in California where he studied to be a Catholic priest. There he began creating theater sets and concert posters, directing Halloween skits, designing pages for First Theology, and drawing cartoons for The Snoop section of the student paper. He lasted eight years.
He earned an MA in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley, illustrated Crime and Punishment and Moby-Dick, drew oaks on the coast, shucked oysters, and delivered mail. He began teaching Humanities and English in Calgary, Alberta. He then settled in Montreal to teach Photography and Animation. In 1977 he took a leave to photograph in Manhattan. One year later he found himself documenting the nuclear meltdown in Middletown, PA. This work became his first book, The People of Three Mile Island. That experience prompted him to visit Atomic Bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He married his Nagasaki interpreter and spent 5 years, on and off, around all twelve of the US H-Bomb factories. After his book At Work in the Fields of the Bomb came out, he founded the Atomic Photographers Guild.
He first met Chogyam Trungpa in 1971, took seminars at Tail of the Tiger, and spent summers in Boulder where he photographed the Crazy Wisdom guru giving talks, making calligraphies, teaching Maitri, doing Mudra, riding horseback, watching golf, arranging flowers, drinking sake, and taking on other forms of dharma art. Bob stopped teaching during covid but still documents North America and the world. He once showed some of his NYC street shots to Trungpa, who looked and them in silence, then said,”Don’t be afraid to shoot normal.” This turned out to be the best photography advice I ever got.
4) Dharma Art: Exploring Heaven, Earth, and Humanity
with Anjie Cho & Leandra Ziegler
Join us as we explore the Taoist principle of Heaven, Earth and Humanity through movement, music, body, flower arranging, and nature.
“I don’t think you learn dharma art, you discover it; and you do not teach dharma art, but you set up an environment so it can be discovered” — True Perception, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
For all skill levels, no artistic experience is required! Please note that ikebana equipment is required for this class – see below.
Anjie Cho is a feng shui educator, licensed practicing architect, and Shambhala Art teacher. She has studied ikebana since 2015 and is a Kakyo Level 9 Assistant Professor of Ikebana, 3rd Grade in the Ikenobo School. Anjie is the author of three books: Holistic Spaces, Mindful Homes, and the forthcoming Mindful Living. She is also the owner of Anjie Cho Architect PLLC, co-founder of Mindful Design Feng Shui School, and co-host of the Holistic Spaces Podcast. See her ikebana arrangements at: https://www.instagram.com/anjie.ikebana/
Leandra Ziegler grew up in the Shambhala Buddhist community in Nova Scotia. Inspired by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings on dharma art, she trained as a modern dancer and studied creative writing at Skidmore College. Leandra has toured and performed as a contemporary dancer. She has also taught movement classes to people of all ages and is interested in the connection between the principle of “first thought, best thought” and artistic improvisation. Leandra is currently the managing editor of the Chögyam Trungpa Digital Library and is thrilled to be contributing to making these invaluable teachings accessible to a worldwide audience.
Ikebana Equipment list
Please note all participants must bring the following equipment (or if carrying the equipment with you is difficult you may also purchase it online and have it shipped directly to Ferry Beach). Please label all your equipment with your name.
- Scissors ($0-$33)
Suggested: Ikenobo Flower Arranging Shears/Ikebana Scissors
OPTION: Less expensive, you may already have at home:
any 5-8” regular scissors will do, for example: https://amzn.to/4cfmKW6
- Suiban Style Containers ($15)
Suggested: Ikebana Suiban container
Flat bottomed dish, minimum 10” diameter x approx. 2-3”high
inexpensive plastic option good for travel: https://amzn.to/3IEGW65
Note: for beginners 10” diameter or larger, plastic container as listed above is HIGHLY recommended.
Otherwise, you can find a flat bottom 10” diameter or larger container. Purchasing an expensive container is not recommended. You may also find a serving dish that meets these qualifications.
non-beginners: you could find ceramic vases, or smaller in diameter. Also, there are various shapes if you look online at etsy.com
- Kenzan ($16 and up)
Suggested: 3-4” diameter x approx min 3/4”high needles, metal.
Ex: https://amzn.to/3VlG4uW (on the small side, but it will do and is inexpensive)
- A small towel from home
- Also recommended, but not required:
Garden Scissors, for example: https://amzn.to/49U1ILa
What Anjie uses: https://amzn.to/4asm5Pj1
FAQ
Arrival and Departure
Arrival day is Friday, June 7th. Plan to arrive after lunch and before dinner, 2pm – 5:30pm, to register and settle in. The first event is dinner at 6pm followed by an opening ceremony and welcome talk by Judy Lief at about 7pm.
The retreat ends on Sunday morning, June 16th, with final remarks and a closing ceremony during which all participants take down the shrine and close the shrine room. We need to vacate our rooms by 10am on Sunday – instructions will be given for where to leave luggage.
The closing ceremony is a very important part of the Profound Treasury Retreat. Please schedule your departure from Ferry Beach after 11:30am on Sunday, June 16th – lunch is optional.
Please make your travel plans accordingly. If you must arrive later than dinnertime on Friday, June 7th, or leave earlier than 11:30am on Sunday, June 16th, let us know as soon as possible by emailing the retreat coordinators, info@profoundtreasuryretreat.com
During your travels to the retreat on June 10th, if any emergency should arise please call or text Scott 616-822-4433, or call the Ferry Beach Conference Center at 207-282-4489.
The Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center address is 5 Boardwalk Drive (formerly Morris Avenue), Saco ME 04072. Their website has very good information on travel options, including driving instructions from all four directions. You can check that out on their site at Directions.
For those who are flying, there are three airports in the vicinity of Saco, ME, where Ferry Beach is located:
- Portland Jetport in Portland, ME
- Logan International Airport in Boston, MA, and
- Manchester Airport in Manchester, NH.
The closest airport is Portland, ME, but you might get a better deal flying into Boston. From Boston’s Logan Airport, you can take the Amtrak Downeaster train to Saco, ME (book ahead for significantly lower rates), or you can also take a bus to Portland on Concord Coachlines. Also check out our rideshare website to find or offer a ride: http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/qrcgp3
Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center is not offering a shuttle service this year. They are recommending Uber or Lyft from Portland, or look up a local taxi service. Please consider signing up for rideshare here: http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/kd3tob
What to Bring
We will provide meditation cushions—gomdens, zabutons, and a limited number of zafus and support cushions. We also have chairs for those who prefer them. However, if you use a meditation bench or a favorite cushion, please bring it with you.
Ferry Beach provides each participant staying in a dorm with 1 set of linens, which includes sheets, towels, a pillow, and a blanket. If you need anything else, you will need to bring it. For example, you might want to bring a beach towel or an extra blanket or that special extra-fluffy pillow.
Campers do not receive linens or towels. Please bring these with you when you come.
Daily dress for the program is casual but uplifted (in other words, not loose work-out clothing). Please refrain from clothing with complicated designs and messages as they can become distracting entertainments or annoyances during sitting periods. We advise you to check the weather in Saco, Maine, for the retreat period just prior to coming and bring appropriate outdoor clothing. Maine in June is likely to be chilly in the evenings so layers are recommended. You should have rain gear and/or an umbrella, especially if you are camping. We have a celebratory banquet on the last night, so please bring one dressy outfit for that occasion.
Please remember to bring Covid Test Kits (at least three tests) and enough medical or (preferably ) N95 masks for the full length of the program. We also recommend bringing a small portable supply of hand sanitizer to carry with you throughout the day.
Bring all your own toiletries including soap and shampoo. These items are not provided. Also bring any other personal care items and prescription, non-prescription vitamins & supplements that you use or may need. Again these items are not provided and unless it’s an emergency we are not able to shop for them during the retreat.
Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center is located 4 miles away from any kind of shop so there is no opportunity to pick up items once at the retreat. There is no store on the location of the retreat. Consider things like snacks, contact lens solution, soap and deodorant when packing for the trip. It’s Maine, so tick and mosquito repellent as well as sun protection are great to bring.
- A flashlight
- Bathing suit for the beach
- Flip flops for the beach or showers
- You may want a shawl or a throw for chilly mornings or evenings in the shrine room.
- Open containers like mugs are not allowed in the shrine room. If you need to bring liquids into the shrine room, please bring a spill-proof bottle or mug.
Preparation
Practice. Practice. Practice.
The most important preparation you can do for the retreat is to have a regular sitting practice. Try to meditate every day and do longer sessions on the weekends. If you are able to attend group meditation sessions, that would be excellent. If you have been introduced to tonglen practice, make it a point to incorporate this into your daily and weekly practice so that it feels familiar to you.
If you’d like to purchase a PTR Chant Book ($30 including shipping within the US), please email info@profoundtreasuryretreat.com.
Suggested Readings for PTR 2024:
Vol I Chapter 6. Achieving Sanity Here on Earth
Vol II Chapter 1. A Glimpse of Wakefulness
Bodhisattva Activity:
Vol II chapter 25 Paramitas: Techniques of Nongrasping
Mind Training and Slogan Practice:
Vol II Chapters 33-43
Vol II Appendix 5. Forty-six ways in which the bodhisattva fails
The Slogans of Atisha. Judy Lief Commentary (available on judylief.com website)
A great auxiliary resource is The Nectar of Manjushri’s Speech by Kunzang Pelden.
A great way to prepare for the retreat is to watch the video courses of past Profound Treasury Retreats produced by Shambhala Publications.
Camping
Keeping in mind that Maine can be chilly in June, especially in the early morning and at night, bring warm sleeping bags and blankets. Campers should also bring their own pillows, towels, linens and any other creature comforts. Be prepared for rain.
Since the camping area is in the pine forest across from the Retreat Center, consider mosquito netting or repellent, a light source such as a lantern and flashlight, and a sleeping pad or air mattress. Flip flops or other easy on/off shoes are great for the trek to the showers and WC.
Volunteering
All of the housekeeping and meals – cooking and kitchen clean-up – are provided for us by the Ferry Beach staff. However, you will have the opportunity to participate in shrine room duties at the retreat. This is an important part of our practice and community. We sweep and clean the shrine room and the post-meditation hall daily–sand blows in from the beach, which is just a few feet away!
There are also opportunities to volunteer for shrine room duties such as ikebana (flower arranging), umdze (chant leader and time-keeper), gatekeeper, shrine-keeper, and drummer during chants. If you have an interest in any of these positions, there is always an opportunity for training and practice in a supportive atmosphere. You can sign up for these positions at a board in the post-meditation hall, where daily announcements are posted.
We also have a number of events that require extra effort from our community, for our community. These include building a bonfire one night, setting up for the final banquet, and help with any feasts. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and engage with the retreat.
Food and Drink
Ferry Beach does its best to accommodate everyone’s needs, and provides vegetarian and vegan options for those who request them prior to the retreat, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options.
All participants will receive a Participant Questionnaire asking for information about their food needs and preferences. It’s important to fill this out so that the kitchen staff can plan to meet your dietary needs.
With respect and consideration for other participants, the PTR has a policy of no public consumption of alcohol during the retreat – except at the banquet when alcoholic beverages are offered.
The retreat is an opportunity to explore our habitual tendencies – including those around alcohol – and participants are encouraged to refrain from drinking during the retreat.
Facilities
We have the OCEAN! It is brisk!!
Costs and Money
Prices range depending on the type of accommodations you select. Please see the Pricing section for more details.
Your program fee is fully refundable before April 26, 2024.
If you withdraw after April 26 but before May 17, 2024, 50% of your program fee is automatically refundable.
We may not be able to make any refund if you withdraw after May 17 since we will be committed to paying our host for the cost of your room & board.
The admin team will review all refund requests after the retreat and make additional refunds wherever possible.
The Profound Treasury Dharma Foundation is committed to offering the authentic transmission of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings to all who want to receive them, regardless of their financial capacity. Please see Financial Support above for more details.
You can apply for a financial support during the Application process. Funds are not unlimited, and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please apply as early as possible. You will be notified of your financial support in your acceptance letter.
There is no ATM on premises or nearby. Please plan for cash needs before arriving since we cannot make trips into the village to get money.
Since there is no ATM on site, you should bring some cash (and/or a checkbook) for incidental expenses.
There will be an opportunity to offer a teaching gift to the head teacher (a traditional offering after receiving teachings). The amount of your teaching gift, if you wish to offer one, is completely up to you.
We also collect a small offering to show our appreciation for the Ferry Beach staff who who take such good care of us.
We can accept major credit cards for offerings if you don’t have cash.
Photography and Use of Electronic Devices
Participants cannot make video or audio recordings of the talks under any circumstances. An official retreat photographer will be taking photographs during the retreat.
Finally, to maintain the contemplative atmosphere of the retreat, we ask that you do not use your mobile phone in public spaces and that you only use it in private if absolutely necessary.
The Team
The 2024 Retreat Coordinators
Eric Diaz
Joe Armstrong
diaz@larediaz.law
sherab1688@gmail.com
The Retreat Location
Ferry Beach is 30 minutes south of Portland, ME; 90 minutes north of Boston, MA;
and 5 miles from the Saco Amtrak station.
Ferry Beach
5 Boardwalk Drive (formerly Morris Ave), Saco ME 04072
Phone:+207.282.4489
info@ferrybeach.org
Directions to Ferry Beach