How much $ are weekend retreats these days?

[padma norbu]

Unfortunately, my wife booked a mini vacation on the exact weekend Namkhai Norbu is coming to NY. Then, we have a larger vacation booked at the end of July. I am trying to figure out if I can afford to pay all cost differences to switch the mini vacation + the weekend retreat + the larger vacation. My wife is, of course, PISSED and so I am just trying to figure this out with as little drama as possible quickly (by tonight).

Thanks!

[Mr. G]

Well the retreat at Tashigar South was about $220. I'm not sure how much the NY one will be.

[padma norbu]

thanks and feel free to delete this if you want. kind of a waste of space, I suppose. Decided to skip the retreat. I can listen to replay (hopefully).

[justin.hudgins]

I'm not married nor do I have a regular job, so I'm unfamiliar with the difficulties presented by either of those, but why not just reschedule your vacation and attend Rinpoche's retreats? You spend a decent amount of time with your wife anyway and who knows when you'll next have the opportunity to spend time with Rinpoche.

[Sönam]

Rinpoche did often speaks about that kind of circumstances ... even recently!

Sönam

[padma norbu]

I'm not married nor do I have a regular job, so I'm unfamiliar with the difficulties presented by either of those, but why not just reschedule your vacation and attend Rinpoche's retreats? You spend a decent amount of time with your wife anyway and who knows when you'll next have the opportunity to spend time with Rinpoche.

The cost involved + hurting other people's feelings. It's simple, really. I can't afford to change the mini-vacation and pay for the retreat without cancelling the later vacation which is a beach house already rented out by my wife's parents. I am very poor these days. My wife was really excited about the timing of the mini-vacation, anyway, since it is immediately after her last class and an instant break from a difficult year. On the other hand, I can listen to a replay. I've met Namkhai Norbu in person before and attended a retreat in person. I remember what it is like. I have most of the empowerments, etc. already, so the teaching is what is important and if I can listen to replay, then that's fine. Also, I am hoping to be a good boy and save up money to go to the LA or Conway retreat which will not conflict with anything and doesn't need to be decided right now.

[padma norbu]

Rinpoche did often speaks about that kind of circumstances ... even recently!

Sönam

What did he say? I am familiar with the idea that when the guru is close, we should stay close, but I am also trying to work with circumstances and not be selfish about it.

[daelm]

Rinpoche did often speaks about that kind of circumstances ... even recently!

Sönam

What did he say? I am familiar with the idea that when the guru is close, we should stay close, but I am also trying to work with circumstances and not be selfish about it.

basically, he said sometimes it's tough.


d

[Sönam]

Simply that we have to deal with our circumstances and make our choices ...

Sönam

[PadmaVonSamba]

The more I had to give up, even dharma-related events, the more frustrated and resentful I felt.
The more and resentful I felt, the more I had to look at where those feeling came from.
The more I looked at where those feeling came from, the more I saw it was based on attachment
and when I looked at that attachment I saw it all came down to clinging to "me".

"Why should I have to give up these precious, hard to find teachings, this one-to-one contact with a great teacher,
which will no doubt turn me into an enlightened bodhisattva who will then benefit uncountable suffering sentient beings
just because I have to do some stupid bullshit that somebody else wants?"

That is when I realize how much patience and generosity it takes, and how much clinging I have to let go of.

Years later, it has paid off, and I am told , 'why don't you go off to that buddhist thing you were talking about,
while I go visit my folks?"
and now everybody is happy.

[padma norbu]

Yeah, I didn't make a fuss about it at all.

[Kilaya.]

The more I had to give up, even dharma-related events, the more frustrated and resentful I felt.
The more and resentful I felt, the more I had to look at where those feeling came from.
The more I looked at where those feeling came from, the more I saw it was based on attachment
and when I looked at that attachment I saw it all came down to clinging to "me".

"Why should I have to give up these precious, hard to find teachings, this one-to-one contact with a great teacher,
which will no doubt turn me into an enlightened bodhisattva who will then benefit uncountable suffering sentient beings
just because I have to do some stupid bullshit that somebody else wants?"

That is when I realize how much patience and generosity it takes, and how much clinging I have to let go of.

Years later, it has paid off, and I am told , 'why don't you go off to that buddhist thing you were talking about,
while I go visit my folks?"
and now everybody is happy.

Great post, thank you!