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Programs Participant Information Volunteering, Work-Study & Scholarships
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Program Participant Information Cancellation Policy Seminar registration will be accepted with a deposit of $100 and will be completed upon full payment. Final payment is due 10 days before the start of your program. We cannot guarantee your space without a deposit, or if full payment is not received by the deadline. The deposit will be returned (minus a $75 administrative fee) if cancellation is made within two weeks before the seminar start date. Cancellations made later than two weeks before the seminar start date are applicable to future programs for up to one year from the date of the cancelled seminar. Costs Seminar fees cover teachings and meals. Due to the complexity of the planning process, meal costs will not be pro-rated or deducted if you choose to eat off-site. Other expenses incurred may include on-site camping ($10 per day), lodging or camping off-site, transportation, comfort items (see Packing List), camping equipment, chant and practice books (see individual programs), dana gifts to the teachers, translators and attendants, and donations to projects of the Chokling Tersar and other foundations. If seminar fees present a hardship to you, please view the section on Volunteering & Scholarships. Payment plans can be arranged in advance with a valid credit card by contacting the office at programs@gomdeusa.org. Facilities The Gatehouse is the office for Gomde and is a staff residence. Here you will find information regarding programs, services, the Chokling Tersar Foundation, membership, and the activities of our lineage holders. Stop in here first to register or check in for programs. Sangha House is a larger building where several functions occur. The bulletin board here contains information on upcoming programs and activities, ride-sharing, Yogi Jobs, and volunteer opportunities. Meals are served in the mosquito-free dining tent across from Sangha House. The Shrine Room, entered through the sliding doors off the Sangha House deck, accommodates daily practices, meetings and smaller retreats. The Gomde Library located here has Dharma-oriented magazines, books, and videos for use during retreats. The Kitchen and Staff Residence portions of Sangha House are not generally open to the public. Ratna Shop is also located in Sangha House. Practice books and commentaries of the Chokling Tersar lineage as well as books by lamas are for sale here, as are items like thangkas, statues, and ritual implements. The air-conditioned Buddha Hall, a five-minute walk through the woods from Sangha House, serves as the teaching center for programs. Dharmachakra Garden Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche planted the seed of the vision for a children's garden in the summer of 2002 during his annual visit to Gomde. Rinpoche's love of flowers inspired the vision of a garden where children and families can create a living symbol of our spiritual community and our investment in the future development of Gomde. Rinpoche selected a garden site in a meadow below the Budha Hall, an area visible from the future site of the gompa (temple). He chose the form of the Dharmachakra Wheel (gakyil), a "swirl of joy" radiating various colors and varieties of plants. Campground Many participants pitch a tent or park a van in the shady campground past the Dharmachakra Garden. The numbered campsites are cleared of poison oak before the start of programs each year. Campground fees are $10 a night. There are also several spacious tent cabins available for rent. Bathroom facilities include Port-a-Potties and heated showers. Drinking water is available from filtered tap at the campground and Buddha Hall, and in the dining tent. Contemplation Areas Many sites on the land are conducive to meditation and contemplation (please see site map). You will need to bring your own cushion and mat for prolonged sitting practice. Swimming The Eel River runs through our property, its cool waters providing welcome relief on hot summer afternoons. You can access it by following marked walking trails (or the road) downhill from the Buddha Hall. It's about a 20-minute walk to the river from the campground. As private cars are not allowed to be driven during retreats, please either enjoy the leisurely walk down, or take one of the river shuttles that might be running. Areas to explore include Cedar Creek, a five-minute walk down the path to the left below Lama House. This is the coolest and shadiest swimming hole, with a very refreshing miniature waterfall. The trail to the other swimming areas branches off from the end of the loop road past River House and heads downhill to cross the river at a shallow rocky ford. A few minutes' walk further downstream is a lovely Sandy Beach facing a placid pool backed by sun-warmed cliffs. If you're lucky, you might see a sleek river otter at work here. Jade Lagoon is just a few minutes' walk further downriver, a deep pool of green water rimmed by a rocky beach. Cautionary Advice On the Environment We ask all retreatants to sign the Acknowledgement of Hazards form. Please read this section and understand the dangers specific to the land. Walking Trails For your safety, only use the marked trails. Maps are available upon request. Daily Temperatures Temperatures are variable throughout the day. Mornings and evenings can be cool and crisp; summer afternoons are hot (sometimes very hot, up to 100 F!) and sunny. Sun protection and hats are advised. Autumn days can be pleasantly warm, while nights get considerably cooler. Please come prepared with layers of clothing and a warm sleeping bag. Swimming The Eel River runs through the property and is a wonderful site for swimming and sunning on summer afternoons.
Poison Oak Poison oak is pervasive on the property, so please watch carefully. Every effort made to clear all public areas as well as around the campground; however, we cannot ensure that you will be completely protected from exposure.
Mosquitos During the summer months there are many mosquitos, especially in the evening. Please bring your favorite mosquito repellent. Long sleeves and pants are also helpful at night. Fire Safety Fire is an extreme hazard. Absolutely NO fires are permitted on the property. This includes camp stoves, candles and incense. Campground Etiquette Please be mindful of your voice level in the campground. Loud talking or music in the evenings after teachings is not permitted. Remember that retreatants may be practicing in their tents as well as sleeping during the afternoon, and please be considerate. Wildlife Gomde is still largely undeveloped and the land is home to many creatures, including river otters, wood rats, foxes, skunks, quail, egrets, osprey, and eels. The general area is a habitat for mountain lions and a lone resident bear, though sightings during times the land is populated are rare.
Program Orientation Pre-Arrival The following forms are available for download from the website. Please fill them out in advance and either fax, e-mail or mail them to our office, or turn them in at check-in. These forms are considered internal documents and our staff has signed confidentiality agreements.
If you have previously attended a retreat at Gomde, we have done our best to retrieve copies of your completed forms. However, we may ask you to complete them again if our records are incomplete or outdated. Registration is considered complete when your registration form and complete payment have been received by our office. Retreatants must meet the prerequisites (if any) listed in the description of the program. Prerequisites for Dzogchen retreats:
Arrival Check-in The retreat begins with check-in at the Gatehouse, generally between 2-5 pm on the first day of the retreat. Please make every effort to arrive on time for check-in as well as the daily teachings and practice sessions. This will give you the opportunity to deepen your own retreat experience as well as enhance the experience of those with whom you are practicing. Forms If you have not sent in the above forms, please bring them with you. Camping You will be given a map of campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff will available in the area to help you settle in. After establishing camp, cars will be directed to the parking area where your car will remain during the program. Program Schedule The daily schedule will be posted at various locations on the land. It is subject to change, so please check regularly. Off-site Lodging Hotels are available within 5-45 minutes drive from the retreat center. A list of off-site accommodations is available here. Please let us know where you are staying in case we need to contact you in an emergency. Offsite participants should park in designated areas and use the walking trails. During the Retreat Yogi Service Tasks A copy of Yogi Job assignments is posted on the Sangha House Bulletin board. The tasks are pre-assigned to the best of our ability under team leaders for each major category of service work: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Site Maintenance, Ratna Shop, Tea Time, Buddha Hall Services, and Lama Service. There will be a meeting immediately following the first teachings on the first night, where you can meet your team leader and learn about your responsibilities. If you have a medical limitation or another serious reason you cannot complete the job as assigned, please talk with the team leader about your need for a change. Without the generous fulfillment of your Yogi Job, it would not be possible for the retreat to run smoothly and for all of us to receive these precious teachings. Thank you in advance for your responsible cooperation and dedicated contribution. Cars & Driving Communications A telephone line will be available in the afternoons outside the Gatehouse for phone calls or Internet connections from your own laptop. This is a local line, so please bring a calling card and/or configure your Internet connection to a 707 (Leggett) number. As this is the only line available to retreatants, please be mindful of sharing the allotted time. Alternatively, there is a public telephone within five minutes of the center at the Redwood Mercantile Store (from the main gate, turn left and follow Drive Through Tree Road toward Leggett). If you need to make an emergency call, check with a staff member. The area is generally not serviceable by cell phones, and we ask you do not bring them with you into the Buddha Hall. Security Meals As the kitchen is very small, participants are not permitted to cook their own meals. Due to county fire regulations, cooking is not permitted in the campgrounds. If you have dietary restrictions not met by the above offerings, please so note on your health form and contact the office staff prior to registration at programs@gomdeusa.org. Cooking facilities are available at off-site campgrounds and lodgings (see list). Ratna Shop Departure The retreat ends after lunch and clean-up on the last day. Garbage disposal is a health and environmental concern. Please follow the recommended procedures posted on the bulletin board. Program breakdown is an enormous task. If you are available for a few hours at the end of the program to help as a "Breakdown Bodhisattva," please contact a staff member. Evaluation & Feedback We will be asking you to complete a Retreat Evaluation Form at the end of the teaching program. Please leave your completed form in the box at Gate House on the last day of the retreat, or hand it to a staff member. If you are unable to complete the form on site, please email or send it to us upon your return home. We sincerely appreciate your time in completing this, as it helps us to better serve you in the future. Packing List The following are items all attendees must bring, as they are not provided by the center. Please mark all personal belongings with your name, especially dishes and items you may leave in common areas such as the Buddha Hall or Sangha House:
Optional Though Recommended
Suggested Items for Campers
Two shops in Santa Rosa rent tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads:
Please Do NOT Bring
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