Finding Refuge in the Mandala of the Five Wisdoms

with Susan Lorraine

November 20 - 23, 2025

Register now and get CAD $50.00 off the program price. Offer valid until Aug 21, 2025.

Date and Time Details: Arrival Thursday before 5 pm, dinner is at 6:30. Departure Sunday, after tea.

Location: Dorje Denma Ling

Address: 2280 Balmoral Road, The Falls, NS B0K 1V0, Canada

Contact: The Program Team
programs@dorjedenmaling.com

  • Drala Cabin: Single Occupancy (150/night) – CAD $740.00
  • Drala Cabin: Double Occupancy (60/night) – CAD $470.00
  • Gyatso Lodge: Single Occupancy (130/night) – CAD $680.00
  • Gyatso Lodge: Double Occupancy (60/night) – CAD $470.00
  • Large White Tent: Single Occupancy – CAD $560.00
  • Large White Tent: Double Occupancy – CAD $425.00
  • Wood Cabin: Single Occupancy – CAD $560.00
  • Wood Cabin: Double Occupancy – CAD $425.00
  • White Hut: Single Occupancy – CAD $500.00
  • White Hut: Double Occupancy – CAD $395.00
  • Bring Your Own Tent: Platform Provided – CAD $395.00
  • Bring Your Own Tent: No Platform Provided – CAD $350.00
  • Shrine Room Floor: Garuda (25/night) – CAD $365.00
  • Live or Staying Locally – CAD $290.00

This retreat will be led by Susan Lorraine & Friends.

Like a beam of light passing through a prism, our true nature expresses itself as a magical display of colours, emotions, qualities and wisdoms. The mandala is a symbol, an archetype, inviting us to return to the wholeness within separation, and the wisdom within confusion. It invites us into healing, playfulness and joy.

In these times of anxiety, shadows and unraveling, the mandala is a powerful reminder of true refuge. Over four days we will explore the five wisdoms as they are expressed in our own experience, in our communities, and in the natural world. We will develop a shared language for the inner refuge we can rely on when outer refuges fall apart.

We will also call on teachings and practices from Machig Labdrön, the 12-century Tibetan woman known for radically and compassionately inviting everyone and everything into the mandala of awakening. We will practice sky-like meditation and Feeding Your Demons, as inspired by Machig and taught by Lama Tsultrim Allione.

Please join us for a feast of practice and community, as we deepen our shared understanding and experience of refuge.

Who May Attend

This retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience level, offering a space for both beginners and seasoned meditators to deepen their practice.

Costs

All prices are in $CAD. Please consider paying by e-transfer, cheque, or cash. Saving transaction fees helps us keep the Centre going.

Tuition & Meals: $390

Lodging: Extra: varies by type. Visit the Registration Form or this page for a list of options and pricing.

Generosity Policy: We have a donor-supported pay what you can policy and scholarships available. If you need financial assistance in order to attend, please complete this form and our Finance Director will contact you. If you have questions or would like to set up a payment plan, contact our Finance Department at finance@dorjedenmaling.com.

Covid Considerations

Please read the full details of our Covid policy here.

Registration and Cancellation Policies

Please take note that our registration and cancellation policies have been updated. You can read our registration and cancellation policies here.

Useful Links

What to Bring & Expect at DDL
How to Get Here

About the Leader

Susan Lorraine

Susan Lorraine (Szpakowski) has been studying Buddhism since 1975, first as a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and since 2016 with Lama Tsultrim Allione and the Tara Mandala community. She was introduced to the five wisdoms at Naropa Institute (now University) in the late 1970s and in a three-month residential retreat in 1985. She has also […]

Learn more about Susan Lorraine

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