Gomde Pyrénées is hosting the next retreat in our ongoing series: a three month retreat based on the teachings from the Sphere of Refined Gold. There is an option to join this intensive practice retreat online if you are unable to travel. To register for the online verson of the retreat please see that option on a separate page.
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche often encourages us to spend as much time as possible in study, reflection, and meditation. He tells us that one of the most meaningful things we can do with this precious human life is to spend time in retreat. This time brings benefit to yourself, but also brings great benefit to others. Gomde Pyrénées is a unique place that truly displays all the features of a mountain retreat hermitage.
The retreat schedule will be per usual for this series: two group practice sessions: Vajrasattva in the mornings and protectors in the afternoons; four individual practice sessions in one’s own room, cabin or tipi, plus a group session to watch teachings each day before lunch.
During these uncertain times, we understand that all those who might wish to practice intensively might be unable to travel here. Therefore, we are very delighted to welcome you to join our retreat through the power of technology – participate in the intensive virtual retreat from your own home.
Our retreat master is Lama Tenzin Sangpo. Lama-la has led all the previous retreats in this series and is very helpful in giving advice for everyone’s individual practice. When he is in residence, Lama will lead the two daily group sessions, share explanations with us during the daily teaching sessions, and is also available to answer questions.
Prerequisites For Sphere of Refined Gold Retreat
To participate in the retreat one would ideally have received:
The minimum prerequisites are to have a strong foundation in Buddhist practice through both study and time spent in retreat, and to have received teachings on the great perfection from a highly qualified master.
We have a very limited number of spaces available for the retreat on location, so in order to be fair we will assign rooms and spaces in the order of emails received.
Depending upon the number of applications, there might be a possibility to participate for either the first or second three weeks. Please understand that preference is given to people who can commit to doing the full retreat. If you can only do half of the retreat, please let us know of your interest.
Retreat Fees on location at Gomde:
The fee includes all meals, accommodation and the practicalities of running the retreat. Gomde Pyrenees is working hard to keep the cost for the retreat low, because we want to make this retreat affordable for all. The accommodation and meals are included for the period from 23 September until the departure on 7 November.
Please reserve your retreat in the booking form below. Please also use this form to make your payment.
Our fees are based on the costs that will include flying our teachers and translators over to Gomde, and hosting participants and helpers for the retreat. It also is based on the idea of contributing a small donation to support Gomde's growth and development. Taking this into account we have tried to make the price as affordable as possible. However, should you really wish to participate and the only thing keeping you from coming is a financial concern, please contact us and we will do our best to make an arrangement that will work for you.
You can contact us with any further questions by e-mailing either retreatinpyrenees@gomde.fr for the retreat on location at Gomde.
Note on offerings
Our teachers, atterndants & translators do not receive any payment for their time and for the teachings. Gomde Pyrénées will make a small offering to them at the end of the program, but we encourage you to make a personal donation to them should you have the financial resources and as an expression of your appreciation for their offerings in time and dharma teachings.
Important: There are no ATM banking possibilities in vicinity
Please do note that there are no ATM / banking possibilities at Gomde Pyrénées or in the nearby vicinity. Please ensure that you have sufficient cash with you before you arrive at Gomde.
Accommodation and Meals
Gomde Pyrénées can offer single room and shared accommodation. The accomodation fee is based on single rooms. The rooms are quite simple, but comfortable and clean. Pillows and blankets will be provided. If you plan to attend, please make sure that you register without delay, since there are only a limited amount of rooms available.
We will serve three vegetarian meals daily and will also offer an afternoon tea break. A cook will spoil us with simple, delicious vegetarian food. If you have any food allergies please inform us, so we can try to make the necessary arrangements. We will try our best to accommodate but due to limited facilities can not always guarantee this 100%.
Transport to and from Perpignan*** Note please check carefully yourself as with the pandemic some of these options may disappear without much notice
The closest bigger city to Gomde Pyrénées is Perpignan. There is an airport with flights from Ryanair and Air France. There is also a train station with trains from Barcelona, Paris, Toulouse, Girona and other places.
From Perpignan to Gomde, the only really viable option is a car. Gomde can help organize pick-ups, but our ability to do so is limited, so please do not wait until the last minute to organize your transportation. Please understand that we may ask you to wait in Perpignan until a group assembles to avoid multiple trips for our driver. Please send us a message in advance of your trip if you will be needing a pickup.
The drive from Perpignan to Gomde takes 1hr and 15 mins on very windy narrow roads. If you are prone to car sickness please prepare yourself in whatever way works best for you.
The most usual routes to get to Perpignan are:
For trains in France and Spain you can use the following site: https://www.trainline.eu/
Flixbus also runs long distance buses into both Girona and Perpignan. You can find more information at their site at https://www.flixbus.com/bus-schedule-bus-stop/perpignan
Stay updated!
We have a lot of interesting events coming up. If you would like to receive the latest news, subscribe now by simply filling in the subscription form on our website at http://www.gomde.fr/news/
Please also visit our website at gomde.fr or our Facebook page at facebook.com/gomdepyrenees
Financial sustainability of the Dharma Center
Having gone through extensive renovations, Gomde is well on its way to becoming the beautiful retreat centre that Rinpoche envisioned when he chose this magnificent location. The rooms have had their windows enlarged and offer magnificent views, new French balconies have been installed in each room; the lakhang has been renovated (wooden floor insulation, large ceiling to floor windows) and the centre has already hosted a number of long term retreats.
To accomplish all this work, however, we needed to take out a loan of 120,000 Euros. This loan does not cover what is needed to meet the daily running costs or the renovation work remaining necessary at Gomde to bring us into compliance with all health and safety codes needed for long term retreats and the larger programs. In order to sustain this beautiful place for our sangha to to be a perfect host to you for longer retreats we need your support!
You can support the development of Gomde by making a one-time or monthly donation (no matter how small!). Your contribution will help you to feel closer and become more of a supporting memeber at Gomde Pyrenees, and will generate a tremendous amount of merit for you and our sangha. Together we look forward to participating in this joyful effort. Thank you greatly for helping Rinpoche’s vision for our centre to unfold!
Please visit our webpage which offers complete information about the monthly patron programs and the best options for your donation to reach us : http://www.gomde.fr/donations-projects/
Looking forward to meeting and welcoming you soon at Gomde Pyrenees!
