What we’re about
Karmê Chöling is a residential meditation retreat center situated on 500 acres of beautiful countryside in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. With the Green Mountains as the backdrop, the land is enriched by rolling meadows, woodland walking trails, and a one-acre organic garden.
Originally home to the Abenaki people, the land was turned into a dairy farm before it became our retreat center. We have six meditation halls, bright and open common spaces, a range of living quarters for full-time residential staff and program participants, along with seven rustic cabins in the woods for solitary retreats.
We are a global community of meditators, spiritual practitioners, and people who believe that human beings are basically good. This nature can be brought into daily life so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society. We are committed to creating communities where we support one another on our spiritual paths and celebrate life’s journey together, and to creating a society that brings out the best in each of us.
Our Center brings together people from all walks of life to learn, through the practice of meditation, to be kind to ourselves and others. The center continues to offer programs for both new and experienced practitioners, with a community life rooted in meditation practice as a foundation for fostering enlightened society.
The first land center established by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Karmê Chöling has served the international Shambhala community for 50 years. Upon his passing, leadership passed to his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and recently to the Shambhala Board.
The Karmê Chöling community values respect for all individuals; regardless of meditation experience, age, race, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation or identity, capabilities, politics, religion or occupation.
In this time of great difficulty for ourselves, society, and the planet, our Center promotes teachings across many faiths and traditions, that can help us show up with fearlessness and gentleness and to meet the challenges brought on by the chaos of our world.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Healing Power of Sound: Breathwork, Mindfulness, & Sacred SoundKarme Choling, Barnet, VT
Sacred Sound
A Healing Journey
Discover sound as a transformative tool to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and support self-care. Within a supportive community, this immersive workshop weaves together guided breathwork, mindfulness, and sacred sound practices. Join us on a healing journey as we deepen our connections and build inner resilience for emotional well-being.
We will engage in gentle yoga, sound baths, and playful group explorations, all infused with the vibrations of tuning forks, singing bowls, and sacred mantras.Whether you're a curious beginner or experienced seeker, this workshop offers a profound journey into the harmonizing essence of sound.
Activities and Practice
Using Sound
- Science: Learn about the science behind sound's impact on the brain and body.
- Wisdom: Explore the wisdom of sound developed across cultures and traditions.
- Centering Breathwork: Setting our container with gratitude and healing breathwork
- Mantras: Work with the mantras of AUM (sound of the universe) and RAM (activates personal power)
- Chakras: Use sound to help focus on different energy centers and discover practical ways to incorporate sound into your daily life.
- Sound baths: Experience the deep relaxation of a sound bath and assist with creating one by choosing the instruments you're drawn to.
- Intention: Combine sound with intention - Sound + Visualization = Manifestation
- Band Circle: Participate in a playful sound circle, where everyone contributes their voice or an instrument.
- Yoga & Sound: Infuse yoga with sound allowing the vibrations to integrate into your body and mind.
- Himalayan Singing Bowls: Experience a sound meditation that helps you settle into stillness and deeply absorb the vibrations.
Leave Feeling Empowered
We will leave with practical sound practices, like chanting mantras, using sound for healing (e.g., with singing bowls or tuning forks), breathwork fundamentals, and tools for integrating sound into daily life. We'll also leave with a renewed sense of inner peace, vitality, and connection to our authentic voice.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll feel empowered to use sound as a tool for personal growth, healing, and expression. Whether you're seeking to find your voice or reconnect with it, this retreat will help you unlock your full potential through the transformative power of sound.
Arrival and Departure
Friday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.
The program will officially begin at 7:30pm.
On Sunday, the program will finish by 12:30pm with lunch afterwards.Registration and Pricing: Special Mother's Day Discount!
https://www.karmecholing.org/program/the-sound-within - Compassion Practices of Tonglen & LojongKarme Choling, Barnet, VT
Lojong Slogans and Tonglen Practice
Atisha’s teachings are incredibly valuable for anyone looking to deepen their spiritual practice, develop greater compassion, and cultivate mental clarity.
Atisha was a prominent Dharma teacher throughout the Indian subcontinent and even journeyed far to what is today the island of Sumatra to teach. However, he is best known for his teachings in Tibet on compassion and the compassion practice of tonglen.
We will study Atisha, his amazing life story, and the teachings he left us with. By exploring his teachings and the practices he developed we can:Cultivate a Compassionate Mindset
Lojong and tonglen practice focuses on training that allows you to adopt a compassionate, selfless attitude. By learning how to transform your thoughts and reactions to situations, you can develop a genuine sense of empathy and kindness, both for yourself and others. Atisha’s teachings, in particular, offer practical methods for overcoming self-centeredness and developing compassion in every aspect of life.
Transform Difficult Emotions
Atisha’s teachings guide you in how to work with negative emotions like anger, fear, and jealousy. Rather than being overwhelmed by these emotions, they can be transformed into sources of wisdom and compassion. This can help you navigate life’s challenges with more balance and equanimity.
Practice Mind Training
These teachings offer simple but powerful reminders for how to approach every moment of life with mindfulness, presence, and wisdom. They offer concrete ways to shift your mental habits and integrate the practice into your daily life. You’ll learn to recognize when your mind is clouded by delusions or distractions and how to refocus on what truly matters.
Tools to Transform Your Mind
By studying Atisha’s teachings, you’ll gain tools for transforming your mind, overcoming obstacles, and cultivating more love, patience, and wisdom in your life. These practices will help you navigate challenges with more grace, develop deeper compassion, and ultimately move toward greater spiritual freedom.
Teachings and Activities
- Meditation
- Initial guided tonglen practice
- "Atisha's slogans"- or Lojong practice-his ego-shattering statements that open our hearts to others.
- There will also be time for optional individual meditation and tonglen instruction.
Arrival and Departure
Friday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration.
Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.The program will officially begin at 7:30pm.
On Sunday, the program will finish by 12:30pm with lunch afterwards.Registration and Pricing: https://www.karmecholing.org/program/compassion-practices-of-tonglen-lojong
- Half-Day Meditation Retreat (Free program)Karme Choling, Barnet, VT
Mindfulness Practice
All levels of meditators welcomed!
This half-day meditation retreat is an opportunity to "just sit" and steep in mindfulness practice. The main practice will be sitting meditation known as shamatha or peaceful abiding. We will alternate periods of sitting with walking meditation and brief Dharma readings. This is an opportunity to deepen your meditation and be able to practice with a community of meditators. Deepening in mindfulness meditation is appropriate for beginners to experienced meditators.
Beginning meditation instruction available
If you are new to meditation or have questions you would like to ask a meditation instructor, we will provide meditation instruction apart from the main group. With meditation instruction we give detailed directions on both basic sitting meditation and a "zen-style" walking meditation technique. We will talk a little about the view and understanding of meditation as well as go over some "best practices". This will provide you a good foundation on which to base an ongoing, consistent meditation practice at home. You'll have the opportunity to ask any meditation questions you might have in this instruction period.
You are welcomed and encouraged to join the main group in the shrine room afterwards.General Schedule
- 8:45: Arrive at Karmê Chöling and settle in
- 9:00 - 9:30 Beginning Meditation Instruction in an instruction room
OR
- 9:00 – 12:30 Community meditation practice in the shrine room. You don't need to stay for the entire period but can leave if you need to during the walking periods.
- These morning sessions will include:
- Opening chants
- Mindfulness meditation sitting practice
- Walking meditation
- Selected readings
- 12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch (by donation of $15) This is a great time to socialize and get to know the group of people you've been practicing with!
- Afternoon practice - space is available if you would like to continue meditation practice on your own.
This program is offered free but we do need you to register.
Registration: https://www.karmecholing.org/program/half-day-meditation-retreat-may-2025
- Tent Volunteer Weekend: A way to stay for free and check us out!Karme Choling, Barnet, VT
Over the course of the weekend, volunteers work side by side with staff to care for and prepare our campsite, ensuring it is a welcoming and peaceful environment for families and participants who visit. The tasks vary but often include tidying up the grounds, deep-cleaning and setting up the tents, and furnishing them with bedding and other essentials. Each activity is approached with mindfulness, transforming what might seem like simple chores into an opportunity for presence and connection.
To support this work, the weekend is structured with a balance of effort and stillness. Twice daily, volunteers gather for formal meditation sittings and chants, reinforcing the contemplative foundation of the retreat center. These moments of quiet provide a chance to settle the mind, reflect, and appreciate the shared purpose of the community.
Beyond the structured activities, the weekend offers ample opportunity for meaningful conversations and organic connections. Whether it’s sharing stories over a good meal, enjoying a quiet moment in nature, or working together in the fresh air, volunteers naturally build friendships and experience the unique, vividly awake energy of Karmê Chöling.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the center’s atmosphere without a significant financial commitment, these weekends provide a wonderful opportunity to contribute, learn, and experience the heart of the community. Whether you are new to Karmê Chöling or a returning guest, volunteering offers a fulfilling and enriching way to engage with this special place.
Basic accommodations and meals are FREE for the weekend. Private rooms are available at an additional fee.
Two Week-Ends Available
We will be working two weekends. You are warmly invited to come to one or both. The dates are:
May 16 - 18 and May 30 - June 1Registration: https://www.karmecholing.org/program/tent-setup-weekend-2025
