Sharing the Timeless Joy
Chamma Ling Colorado, from the VOCL Archives
Ligmincha's Chamma Ling Retreat Center is located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains near Crestone, Colorado. In this article by Cindy Pearson Garcia we get a glimpse of this unique place. This article has been edited for length and was previously included in the April 2016 VOCL newsletter. Chamma Ling is hosting the upcoming A-tri Dzogchen retreat with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche in September 2023.
Rocky Mountains near Chamma Ling in ColoradoSilence, stillness, spaciousness. Words of wisdom from our beloved teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, and pervasive qualities inherent at the retreat land known as Chamma Ling Colorado.
Nestled amongst the pinion pines and juniper trees, the retreat center offers the solitary practitioner abundant support for meditation and contemplation. The towering 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks and national forest cradle the center and provide the ideal natural environment for those working with dzogchen and the natural elements. The expansive view to the West looks out over the Baca National Wildlife Refuge and is the perfect setting for sky gazing, sunset viewing and basking in the brilliant starry night sky. To the south the Great Sand Dunes National Park resides in splendor and has been noted as one of the quietest places on earth. As working with the elements to bring balance and clarity runs throughout the Tibetan Bon tradition, this retreat location is an ideal setting for deep maturation of the dedicated practitioner.
While visiting the Crestone/Baca area many years ago, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche recognized these spectacular qualities and set intention for development of the retreat land so generously donated by Hanne and Maurice Strong of the Manitou Foundation. Immense effort and donations have gone into Chamma Ling over the years, and the retreat center is now thriving and providing wonderful practice opportunities for many people in the Bon tradition, as well as practitioners from various other lineages.
Cabins are thoughtfully designed, each with a kitchen, bedroom, practice space with shrine and bath with hot shower. Accommodations are specific for the independent practitioner, for a closed retreat or dark retreat, which the cabins are expertly crafted to support. Attendant services can be arranged for meal preparation, grocery shopping/delivery and specific needs as necessary, with special attention given to dark retreat intricacies.
Additionally, a beautiful community house was recently completed and is a perfect complement to the retreat cabins. It hosts small teachings with visiting Bon lamas at various times throughout the year, and local sangha practice gatherings. The space provides additional housing options, along with a kitchen and laundry to further enhance the retreat experience.
Tenzin Rinpoche has traditionally offered teachings each fall in Crestone, and many pilgrimage there to receive his blessings, practice at Chamma Ling and find awareness through connection with nature. A traditional (smoke offering) is typically a celebrated part of the annual retreat, along with an auction and dinner party. The annual auction has been a designated Chamma Ling fundraiser over the years, and the generous donations have built the cabins and infrastructure on the retreat land. The long-term vision for the center includes a few additional, off-grid cabins, more remotely placed in the mountains, the continuation of practitioner retreat support and the sharing of Bon teachings.
