An In-Person Retreat with George
September 22-26, 2025
Camp Westwind near Cascade Head on the Oregon Coast
$675 / 725 / 775
This free and well-favoured human form is difficult to obtain.
Now that we have the chance to realise the full human potential,
If we don’t make good use of this opportunity,
How could we possibly expect to have such a chance again?From the moment we genuinely take up
This irreversible attitude—
The mind that aspires to liberate entirely
The infinite realms of beings.
From then on, even while asleep,
Or during moments of inattention,
A plentiful, unceasing force of merit
Will arise, equal to the vastness of the sky.What lucid person could be in despair
Proceeding this way from joy to joy?~ Shantideva, The Way of the Bodhisattva
Awareness and compassion are our inherent and inalienable buddhanature, ever-present and ever-good. Awareness and compassion are more than complementary: they are each other’s prerequisite, foundation, and fulfillment.
The purpose of every particular Buddhist practice is the cultivation of awareness, or compassion, or both. Many of the obstacles we encounter on the path arise from trying to cultivate one without the other.
This residential retreat will explore time-tested Buddhist practices for cultivating awareness and compassion, and explore ways to work with the inevitable obstacles — which, as it happily turns out, are not really obstacles, but hidden keys for realizing the goodness and beauty and power of buddhanature. With awakened heart and mind (bodhicitta), we are able to benefit ourselves and others.
Teacher George Draffan is a long-time student of the Buddha-Dharma, grateful for his training with Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Ken McLeod, Lama Michael Conklin, and other teachers. You can learn more about him here.
As in previous years, this retreat will be limited to roughly a dozen people, so please register soon. The retreat typically fills quickly.
SETTING
The retreat will take place on a 500-acre natural area near Cascade Head on the Oregon Coast. The beach and forest setting are an ideal container for group practice and individual meditation. Rising before dawn and maintaining noble silence, we create a mandala of community and mutual support for our commitment to awakening. There will be sessions of teaching, sitting meditation, qigong (mindful movement), chanting, and discussion. Retreatants also do some daily work-practice such as sweeping or helping prepare meals. There will also be time for beach and forest walks.
LODGING
Lodging is dormitory style, and there will be space that is inclusive of all gender expressions. The facility provides two individual use bathrooms and showers. Access to lodging and practice areas include some stairs and sandy or hilly terrain – for those who need accessibility details and support, please reach out. The Dekeling sangha is a place where all practitioners are welcome – we support your deepening practice for the benefit of all beings, safely and with respect.
The spacious sleeping rooms will have at least three retreatants each. For those who prefer, we may be able to provide camping arrangements for an additional cost. Please let us know!
COSTS
Early registration (before or on March 31, 2025): $675
Standard registration if space is still available (April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025): $725
Late registration if space is still available (July 1, 2025 – September 1, 2025): $775
If needed, we may be able to waitlist participation.
REGISTER HERE
This registration form provides retreat staff with information needed to make it a positive, productive experience for all, including sections on food needs and lodging preferences. A link to a secure payment site is included at the end of the form and is required to complete your registration.