Mahamudra Half-Datun: Cultivating Stillness and Insight

In the mandala of mahamudra
Shines moonlight, pure and all-pervading
All apparent phenomena are the play of the mind.
All qualities are complete within the mind.

     – Chögyam Trungpa: Sadhana of Mahamudra

You are invited to join retreat leaders Scott Wellenbach and Nancy Huszagh to study and practice shamatha mahamudra for two weeks. This “half-datun” is the first two weeks of the full Mahamudra Datun — the second two weeks being the practice and study of the vipashyana investigations. We are not accepting participants for the last two weeks: only the first two weeks, or the full, four-week retreat. 

The main practice text is the ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, translated by the Vajravairochana Translation Committee. In addition we will use: Crying to the Guru From Afar by Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Thaye. You can purchase both texts and commentary for Pointing Out the Dharmakaya from Nalanda Translation.

You can purchase both texts and commentary from Nalanda Translation

The retreat will follow a traditional three-year retreat format with four practice sessions per day, although the schedule is somewhat more relaxed. Scott Wellenbach will lead the shamatha mahamudra for one week and Nancy Huszagh will lead the practice and discussion during the second week.

If you are interested and able to do the full four-week retreat, you can register for that here.

Prerequisites Apply

This is a vajrayana program restricted to tantrikas and sadhakas who have received pointing out instruction.

Questions? Wonder if you qualify? Please contact Nancy Huszagh.

Covid Considerations

The DDL COVID policy is a general policy for all programs. 

• All DDL visitors, staff and volunteers are required to be fully (two inoculations) vaccinated at least 14 days before your arrival on the land. Be prepared to provide proof of vaccinations and dates received.
• DDL also provides weekly workplace rapid testing for all staff and volunteers.
• DDL requires proof of a negative Rapid or PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival on the land.
• As directed for religious gatherings by Nova Scotia Health, program participants must be socially distanced and masked when indoors.
• Upon arrival on the land guests and program staff who are not also DDL staff will:
  • Have their temperature taken
  • Verbally answer the COVID screening questions
  • Show proof of  full vaccination
  • Show proof of a negative PCR or rapid COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival on the land.
  • Sign the DDL COVID waiver
• Guests and non-DDL program staff who have an elevated temperature on multiple measurements, answer “No” to any of the screening questions, or who do not sign the COVID waiver, will not be permitted to attend a DDL program.
• Guests and non-DDL program staff who develop symptoms while on the land will be given a rapid test and required to get a PCR test as soon as possible. While waiting for test results, anyone who has developed symptoms will be asked to isolate from others. With a negative PCR result, program participation may continue. With a positive result, the guest or staff person will be asked to leave the land.

  The DDL COVID policy is a general policy for all programs. 

  • All DDL visitors, staff and volunteers are required to be fully (two inoculations) vaccinated at least 14 days before your arrival on the land. Be prepared to provide proof of vaccinations and dates received.
  • DDL also provides weekly workplace rapid testing for all staff and volunteers.
  • DDL requires proof of a negative Rapid or PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival on the land.
  • As directed for religious gatherings by Nova Scotia Health, program participants must be socially distanced and masked when indoors.
  • Upon arrival on the land guests and program staff who are not also DDL staff will:
    • Have their temperature taken
    • Verbally answer the COVID screening questions
    • Show proof of  full vaccination
    • Show proof of a negative PCR or rapid COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival on the land.
    • Sign the DDL COVID waiver
  • Guests and non-DDL program staff who have an elevated temperature on multiple measurements, answer “No” to any of the screening questions, or who do not sign the COVID waiver, will not be permitted to attend a DDL program.
  • Guests and non-DDL program staff who develop symptoms while on the land will be given a rapid test and required to get a PCR test as soon as possible. While waiting for test results, anyone who has developed symptoms will be asked to isolate from others. With a negative PCR result, program participation may continue. With a positive result, the guest or staff person will be asked to leave the land.

Please review the expanded list of covid policies and guidelines here before you come.

All-inclusive Tuition

Including Program, Housing and all Meals
$1,400 for Double Occupancy in Gyatso Lodge
$1,325 for Double Occupancy in a Drala Cabin

Repeating participants are entitled to half off the tuition portion of the retreat cost. If you are a repeater, simply let Guest Services know after you register, and a discount of $250.00 will be applied to your Guest Statement.
(Note: the housing portion and food expense portion are not eligible for discounts.)

Interested in a spreading out payments for this retreat? Please contact Suzy Ulrich to set up a Payment Plan.

Useful Links

What to Bring & Expect at DDL
How to Get Here