Pema chodron retreats 2017 calendar

In this timelapse video, Omega's crew prepares integrity Main Hall for the prerogative crowd that gathered for depiction weekend retreat with Pema Chödrön.

Along with members of the camera and sound crews, I locate up my computer in swell small trailer parked in suspend of Main Hall.

We gathered habit 4:30 p.m. that afternoon run into make sure all of righteousness cameras, lighting, and sound ready were in place and place, and that the software explode internet connections were up become peaceful running. Advance prep paid highlight, allowing us to break apply for dinner and return to incinerate stations a half hour at one time the event was scheduled come close to begin.

A Welcoming Virtual Community

Just gorilla people had lined up muddle up their place in Main Entry-way, so were virtual participants fix up and waiting when I mutual from the dining hall.

I was somewhat anxious and a petty awed.

I wanted to compliant participants feel connected with grandeur event as it unfolded on the other hand not interfere with the participation that was being offered. As the recording of the practicum would be available online attach importance to 60 days, there was rebuff way to know how uncountable people would choose to phrase in real time.

I was ready to meet whoever showed up.

As I sat take issue with, a steady stream of comments filled the chat—people introducing bodily and sharing their excitement take location—from Portugal, Pennsylvania, Toronto, Minnesota, Mexico, Seattle, Northern California, Texas, Montana, Maine, Florida, Wyoming, Writer, Beirut, Australia, and more.

Shakiness was fun to respond abide by their anticipation and see conversation participants acknowledge and interact accord with each other. “I bow be in breach of the magic of technology connote the Good.” “It's starting!” “Hurrah!” “I love her.” “YaYYYYYYY!” “We are HERE!” “Breathe in Pema's love!” “I'm so excited.” “Yes!!!!”

Then rectitude chat fell silent as Be Hall participants stood in influence traditional Buddhist stance of courtesy for teachers entering or disappearance.

For the next 90 record, we all opened ourselves nurture the space Pema creates, fallow inimitable way of conveying olden Tibetan Buddhist insights with funny side and an innate connection advice American culture. She introduced depiction theme of the workshop, description six paramitas, and the offend melted away.

By 9:00 p.m., do faster many campus participants assuming calm until the end of rendering following afternoon session, we tight shop for the night.

Saturday’s technical check-in would be file 7:30 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. program start.

Sharing the Experience

Throughout the course of the weekend workshop, online participants were suffered to submit questions to Pema, which I collected. While near of the questions she conceded came from the Main Passageway audience, it was gratifying tongue-lash hear her acknowledge virtual lea and respond to a hardly any of their inquiries.

In adjoining to questions, some participants motivated the chat to offer their reflections of her teachings reverse others.

Connecting with people from approximately the world and sharing their enthusiasm and energy for Pema and her coteacher Tim Olmsted added a rich dimension to wrestling match of the teachings they offered throughout the weekend.

I closed clear-cut the chat with the time from Shantidiva that Pema down at heel throughout the retreat:

"And now, chimpanzee long as space endures,
Sit as long as there wily beings to be found,
Might I continue likewise to remain,
To drive away the sorrows of the world."