Machig Labdrön was an 11th century Tibetan yogini known for her great wisdom and teachings. One story relates how Machig, while receiving an empowerment, suddenly lifted into the air, danced, and passed out through the wall of the monastery and up into a nearby tree next to a pond. These trees were “owned” by a naga king (water spirit) who was greatly feared. Incensed that anyone would dare be in his tree, the naga gathered a terrifying army of other nagas to attack Machig. As they approached, Machig–rather than fighting back–stayed in meditation and offered herself as food to the nagas. In this moment, the naga and his army were stunned by her stability and vowed to become Machig’s protectors. This story illustrates how facing and “feeding” our enemies, rather than fighting them, can turn them into allies.

The Family Retreat will work with Machig’s story as a way of engaging with our fears and obstacles. The children will create a play of Machig’s story. Both teens and adults will learn the ‘Feeding Your Demons’ process developed by Tsultrim and use it to work with issues around self, relationship and family. Teens will also engage in a wilderness rite of passage during which they will find their own tree, drawing on the shamanic tradition of the tree as metaphor for individuation. In addition to group outings and gatherings, Chöd will be practiced in the evenings for everyone to experience.

Accommodation choices include our beautiful new residence hall. More information...

Fees: Sliding scale fees allow participants to pay according to individual means. Your payment above the low end directly benefits our scholarship fund. Family retreat price includes dana. Kids and teens can be added to a double room for the camping price plus a $20 mattress rental fee.

Adult: Double: $1,032 - $688
Queen Double: $1,125 - $750 - SOLD OUT
Camping: $750 - $500

Teen: Residence Hall: $660 - $440
Camping: $585 - $390

Child: Residence Hall: $480 - $320
Camping: $405 - $270

Sustaining Sangha discounts range from 10%-20% based on your membership level and are calculated at registration. Become a Sustaining Sangha member today!

Detailed information about retreats at Tara Mandala
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Register securely online: 50% of course cost or $500 family total (whichever is less) due at registration
Financial aid available

Tsultrim Allione, M.A., was one of the first American women to be ordained as a Tibetan nun in 1970 by the 16th Karmapa. She is the author of Women of Wisdom, a groundbreaking book on the lives of great female Tibetan practitioners. Her newest book, Feeding the Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict, (2008, Little, Brown & Co), connects the ancient knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism with the modern psyche, addressing the major issues of our culture and the roots of our suffering. Based on her pioneering technique using five steps to feed your demons, this book offers a system to transform our inner demons by nurturing rather than fighting them.

After four years as a nun, Tsultrim returned her monastic vows, married, and raised a famity. She earned a masters degree in Buddhist Studies and Women’s Studies from Antioch University. Inspired by the vision of a Western retreat center while living in the Himalayas, and seeing the need to create a place for the reemergence of the sacred feminine, Tsultrim founded Tara Mandala in 1993 where she is now the resident teacher.

Tsultrim is collecting the lineage of Machig Labdrön, the 11th century Tibetan yogini who founded the Chöd lineage. As a long-time Chöd practitioner, Tsultrim has studied Machig’s teachings for decades and taught the practices all over the world. In 2007, Tsultrim was recognized as an emanation of Machig Labdrön by Karme Dorje Rinpoche, the resident Lama of Zangri Khangmar in Tibet (see article on opposite page).

In regards to the recognition Tsultrim has recently said, “I think [the recognition] is to make this new phase of collecting Machig’s lineage more empowered. Recognition allows more energy to flow, and Machig’s blessings can manifest more fully. It’s a kind of mirroring from the outside, validating our heartfelt intention to reinvigorate and spread Machig’s lineage in the West. It also felt very natural. We will keep doing what we have been doing already, but the recognition creates an auspicious interdependence for the teachings.”

Tsultrim’s skill at teaching arises from her dedication to the Dharma and the ways she has brought Dharma to the challenges of everyday life. She brings forth the vibrancy of the teachings in a way that makes them germane for accomplished practitioners and those new to the path.

Children's Group Guide: Cady Holtkamp ran the children's program for last summer's family retreat with great success. She has done extensive work with children including writing and directing children's plays, serving as a member of the waterfront theater in Key West, FL, and opening and directing an art center for children in Key West.

Teen Rite of Passage Guides: Hannah Salander and Bryan Thomas are both graduates of Naropa University’s Transpersonal Counseling Program, in Art and Wilderness therapies, respectively. Hannah has many years of experience working with youth and led last year’s teen rite of passage at Tara Mandala. Bryan has been working in the wilderness therapy field facilitating rites of passage work with young adults for the last couple of years.