True spiritual warriors assume the responsibility of mastering their own minds. By
engaging diligently in watchful introspection and awareness practices, compassion
begins to awaken within the practitioner … and eventually expands to include all
sentient beings. This program has been created to help you touch the innermost
vaults of compassion within your own self so that you can have peace of mind and
a sense of security in daily matters, interactions with others, and on a grander
scale, in the actions of your career, family life, and more.

Study with Lama Karma Chötso and learn simple trainings to engender compassion
in order to progress more swiftly on your spiritual path. Learn why in Buddhism,
having compassion for oneself and all sentient beings is the cornerstone of what
makes an awakened warrior.

Offered as 2 satsangs and 2 workshops (subject to change)

The presentations associated with this Yoga Vacation Program begin with an 8pm satsang on the first day of the program and conclude with a 90-minute noon workshop on the last day of the program.  Click here to read more about the Yoga Vacation Program details and view the ashram schedule for yoga classes and meals during your stay. We suggest you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your program for the optimal experience.

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What is Bodhichitta? What is the path of the Bodhisattva and why should you pursue it?

Bodhichitta means “awakening mind,” and the path of the Bodhisattva is that of the
awakening warrior. Buddhism, like many great spiritual paths, teaches that the
development of compassion is paramount for spiritual progression. Developing
compassion helps us…

• Connect with others
• Mend relationships
• Move forward in life while fostering emotional intelligence and well-being
• Discover true, lasting fulfillment in our careers and home lives
• Be present to fleeting moments of life and more fully enjoy the here and now
• Have appreciation for that which is passing and temporary
• Find joy in the smallest experiences
• Gain clarity on next actions, goal pursuits, and hard decisions

Compassion takes empathy one step further because it harbors a desire for all
people to be free from suffering – leaving no one out. It is imbued with the desire to
benefit all.

What is the practice of watchful introspection and why should you develop it?

Watchful introspection is a practice that works best when pursued with regularity,
either on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. In these modern times of chaos, loud
chatter in the mind, and endless decision-making (with far too many choices!),
practicing watchful introspection affords you the silence and quietude your mind
desperately craves. When we give our minds and bodies time to sit in silence, we
allow ourselves the space required to process our life experiences. Then we can
turn everyday experience into forward motion – the acceptance of lessons for the
future and opportunities for closure on the past. Without giving the body and mind
this space to process, digest, and learn, it can easily start to feel that our life is going
in circles that feel purposeless and devoid of progress.

Buddhism champions practices that offer the practitioner the opportunity to
develop a deep well of compassion. The need for compassion is the key for solving
today’s conflicts, whether those conflicts are on the outside in war-torn lands or
inside in the emotions and thoughts that flicker unbidden through your heart-mind.
By becoming the change you wish the world to manifest, you set the example for
others to follow suit. While it may be that we can have little control in today’s
massive world, we can have control of ourselves. Making headway in developing a
practice of compassionate awareness can give you control of your life experiences
so that a positive impact can ripple outwards into the lives of others.