Six Session Guru Yoga Weekend ONLY

With any HYT initiation in our tradition, there is a commitment to do the six sessions of guru yoga, but many have never received instruction. Venerable Rene thought it could be nice and useful to explain how to meditate on it in this Six Session Guru Yoga Weekend before starting the Shiné – Mahamudra portion of the retreat.

Venerable René will teach from Friday, Sept 12 evening through Sunday, Sept 14 lunch on Six Session Guru Yoga with meditations for those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.  The Six Session Guru Yoga Weekend has an application as it is restricted to those with HYT initiation. You may apply for just this part of the retreat or the entire retreat if you have HYT initiation.

“Our success on the path of Highest Yoga Tantra depends on keeping our vows and commitments taken at the time of the initiation. Meditating on the 6 Sessions Guru Yoga is a way to keep those. Its practice is so profound that it is said that even if one doesn’t have time to do retreats and gain realizations in this life, one will definitely attain full enlightenment in a matter of a few lifetimes by doing this practice. It is so important that it is given as a commitment in our tradition when one receives a Highest Yoga Tantra Initiation. During this weekend we will study and meditate on this wonderful practice, thereby gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for it.”

~Venerable Rene Feusi

Student Level

This retreat is restricted to those with the appropriate highest yoga tantra initiation into the following dieties: a) Kalachakra b) Yamantaka c) Heruka d) Guhyasamaja e) Hevajra.

Click HERE to apply for the 6-Session Guru Yoga Weekend Only.

Additional Information

• Please plan on arriving between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on the first day of the retreat

• Please plan on departing at approximately 2:00 PM on the last day of the retreat

• You can see information about our accommodations in the registration process

• For more detailed information, please see our FAQ

About Retreat Fees (includes accommodation, 3 meals a day, and facility costs)

The collected registration fees include all accommodations, 3 nutritious vegetarian meals a day, and general facility/operating costs.  Retreat registrations help support the center to keep everything operating, allowing us to invite so many precious teachers, and to hold this precious space of 70+ acres of secluded redwood forest to allow guests to have the quiet, contemplative space to continue spiritual growth.

About Vajrapani Institute

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture was the first Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center in America.  Vajrapani aims to provide a friendly and conducive environment for people of all nationalities to learn, put into practice the teachings of the Buddha, and connect with other Dharma practitioners.  Located on 70 acres of secluded land within the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains, Vajrapani Institute has been an immersive space for people of all backgrounds to find and deepen their spiritual practices, with the main goal of bridging the gap between the head and heart of the practice.

Teacher’s Fees

Traditionally, spiritual teachings are considered priceless; the remuneration of our teachers is not included in the fee information detailed on this page. Instead, we invite you to consider bringing a cash donation with you to express your gratitude for the teachings. 

The Buddha encouraged the practice of generosity as it develops non-attachment, loving-kindness, and compassion and deepens the awareness of our interconnectedness. Offering Dana to our teachers, a Pali word for “generosity,” is said to benefit both the giver and the receiver, helping the giver to practice generosity and the receiver to practice acceptance. Your offering of Dana can be whatever feels generous to you in your heart and your particular financial situation. If you can’t afford to give a cash offering as Dana, a thank you note is perfectly generous.

Participants will get a chance to present a cash offering to the teachers on the last day of the retreat and this is supplemented by a donation from Vajrapani Institute. Please note that we don’t offer a credit card option for Dana. 

Financial Aid/ Scholarships

We want to make retreats available to everyone. With this in mind, we will gladly work out a payment plan with you if needed. If more assistance is necessary, we offer several scholarships. Please note that the scholarship deadline is one month before the retreat begins.

• For detailed information on setting up a payment plan, please see Financial Aid: Payment Plans
• To see if you’re eligible for a scholarship, and how to apply for scholarships, please see Financial Aid: Scholarships