Way of Compassion Dharma Center

Heroic Heart Day-Long Retreat in Grand Junction
2026-03-07 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction, 81501, United States
Saturday, March 7th, 2026 – In Grand Junction and Online
We are grateful to have the opportunity to gather at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Grand Junction for our monthly Heroic Heart retreat. This month’s topic is Practicing Patience, chapter 27 of The Heroic Heart, a commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
For details and registration, click here.

Daylong Retreat at Durango Dharma Center - Online and In Person
2026-03-29 09:30 - 15:30 | Durango Dharma Center, 1800 East 3rd Ave. Suite 109, Durango, CO, United States
Hosted by the Durango Dharma Center

The Three Principal Aspects of the Path: A Daylong Retreat with John Bruna

Sunday, March 29th from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
In this daylong retreat, John Bruna will explore the timeless wisdom of The Three Principal Aspects of the Path, a short yet profound teaching by Je Tsongkhapa that distills the essence of the entire Buddhist path into just fourteen verses. Together, we will unpack these pith instructions and explore how they speak directly to the challenges, aspirations and inner struggles of modern life.
Drawing from classical Buddhist philosophy while making clear connections to contemporary Western psychology and therapeutic models, this retreat offers both depth and accessibility. It is well-suited for those new to Buddhist thought as well as seasoned practitioners seeking to deepen and integrate their practice.
At the heart of this teaching are three essential qualities that support genuine well-being, inner freedom and compassionate engagement with the world:
Renunciation
Learning to recognize how misperceptions and habitual patterns of mind give rise to unnecessary suffering—for ourselves and others. Renunciation in this context is not withdrawal from life, but a clear-eyed understanding of what truly leads to happiness, freedom and meaning, and how to cultivate those conditions in daily life.
Bodhicitta (Great Compassion)
Discovering the profound strength, resilience and healing that emerge when we cultivate connection and an altruistic motivation to benefit others. Bodhicitta transforms personal practice into a source of purpose, belonging and service.
Wisdom
Developing the capacity to understand ourselves and our experience of the world more accurately. Through this clarity, we begin to loosen deeply ingrained misperceptions that fuel emotional reactivity, distress and confusion—opening the door to greater balance, insight and freedom.
Throughout the retreat, participants will be guided through reflection, contemplation and practice aimed at integrating these teachings into real life—not merely as philosophical ideas, but as living principles that support healing, ethical living and genuine happiness.
COST: The Dharma Center operates on the gift economy and the cost of the daylong is on a two-part sliding scale. The fee that you offer through the registration system ($50, $70, $89, or $108 or scholarship options of $25 or $0) supports our nonprofit, which pays the costs of the building, utilities, website, administration, etc. In keeping with our 2,600-year-old tradition, the teacher of the retreat is not compensated but rather shares the teachings freely. In turn, you are invited into the practice of dana, or generosity, a gift economy system that has been alive since the time of the Buddha. You are invited to make a donation to support the teacher in continuing their valuable work. Donations in any amount whatsoever are gratefully received, and the practice of generosity is always elective.
LOCATION: Durango Dharma Center, 1800 East Third Avenue, Suite 109 in Durango and Zoom
QUESTIONS: If you have questions, please reach out to the registrar, Kurt, at registrar@durangodharma.org or leave a message at 970-426-8983.
Register

Daylong Retreat - Three Principal Aspects of the Path
2026-03-29 09:30 - 15:30 | Durango Dharma Center, 1800 East 3rd Ave. Suite 109, Durango, CO, United States
The Three Principal Aspects of the Path:
A Daylong Retreat with John Bruna

Hosted by the Durango Dharma Center
Sunday, March 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
In this daylong retreat, John Bruna will explore the timeless wisdom of The Three Principal Aspects of the Path, a short yet profound teaching by Je Tsongkhapa that distills the essence of the entire Buddhist path into just fourteen verses. Together, we will unpack these pith instructions and explore how they speak directly to the challenges, aspirations and inner struggles of modern life.
Drawing from classical Buddhist philosophy while making clear connections to contemporary Western psychology and therapeutic models, this retreat offers both depth and accessibility. It is well-suited for those new to Buddhist thought as well as seasoned practitioners seeking to deepen and integrate their practice.
At the heart of this teaching are three essential qualities that support genuine well-being, inner freedom and compassionate engagement with the world:
Renunciation
Learning to recognize how misperceptions and habitual patterns of mind give rise to unnecessary suffering—for ourselves and others. Renunciation in this context is not withdrawal from life, but a clear-eyed understanding of what truly leads to happiness, freedom and meaning, and how to cultivate those conditions in daily life.
Bodhicitta (Great Compassion)
Discovering the profound strength, resilience and healing that emerge when we cultivate connection and an altruistic motivation to benefit others. Bodhicitta transforms personal practice into a source of purpose, belonging and service.
Wisdom
Developing the capacity to understand ourselves and our experience of the world more accurately. Through this clarity, we begin to loosen deeply ingrained misperceptions that fuel emotional reactivity, distress and confusion—opening the door to greater balance, insight and freedom.
Throughout the retreat, participants will be guided through reflection, contemplation and practice aimed at integrating these teachings into real life—not merely as philosophical ideas, but as living principles that support healing, ethical living and genuine happiness.
Register at the Durango Dharma Center.

Special Events with the Monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery
2026-04-09 - 2026-04-12 | Way of Compassion Dharma Center, 520 S 3rd ST, Suite 12, Carbondale, CO, 81623, United States
We are incredibly grateful and excited to announce the special visit of the monks of the famed Gaden Shartse Monastery. Our center will once again be able to host the precious healings, blessings, teachings, and a special dinner and cultural night.
Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 9th at 6:30 pm: Tea Ceremony
Friday April 10th at 6:30 pm: Vajravidaran Healing Ritual
Saturday, April 11th at 6:30 pm: Green Tara Empowerment
Sunday, April 12th at 6 pm: Tibetan Momo Dinner and Cultural Night with the Monks
Personal Healings, Astrology, House, Land, and Business Blessings

For the complete schedule and details, click here.

Heroic Heart Retreat - Practicing Diligence
2026-05-16 09:30 - 15:30 | Way of Compassion Dharma Center, 520 S 3rd ST, Suite 12, Carbondale, CO, 81623, United States
Heroic Heart – Full-Day Retreat
May 16th, 2026 – Online and In Person
We are grateful to have the opportunity to gather monthly for these precious teachings. This month’s topic is “Practicing Diligence” based on chapter 28 of The Heroic Heart, a commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. These are truly precious and essential teachings for our current times.
Offered by donation. Register Here: Monthly Day-Long Retreats on the Heroic Heart – Way of Compassion Dharma Center

Vajrasattva Practice with Drupon Samten
2026-05-31 07:30 - 09:00 | CO
Sunday Mornings – May 24th, 31st, and June 6th

Due to the requests of students, Drupon Samten has generously offered to teach the Vajrasattva sadhana practice. There will be two Sunday morning sessions and one Saturday morning session. If you would like to participate, please do your best to commit to at least the first two sessions.
May 24th: Preparation
May 31st: Formal practice
June 6: Discussion, Q and A
Vajrasattva practice is a powerful method of purification in Tibetan Buddhism that works by engaging the four opponent powers in a direct, experiential way.
Rather than guilt-based, the practice is rooted in confidence:
that the mind is fundamentally pure, and that what is obscuring it can be completely cleared.
Dates: Sundays, May 24th, 31st, and Saturday, June 6th
Time: 7:30 am Mountain Time, USA
Offered entirely on a donation basis.
If you were unable to attend the first session, you can still register up until May 30th. You can watch the video of the first session, receive the notes, sadhana, and Vajrasattva image. That will prepare you for the practice on Saga Dawa (May 31st)
To Register: Vajrasattva Practice

Special Event: Ghatika Monthly at CCR with John Bruna
2026-06-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Center for Contemplative Research, 1 Carmelite Way, Crestone, CO, 81143, United States
John will return to The Center for Contemplative Research to give the Ghatika Monthly meditation and talk. You can join online for this live interactive teaching.
Equanimity: The Power to Respond, Not React
Saturday, June 13th, 10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)
9 a.m. PDT / 12 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. Central European Time (CET)
Ways to attend:

Online via Zoom – Meeting ID: 845 3445 2097 Click to Join
In-person at Miyo Samten Ling Hermitage at 10:00 a.m. MDT (1 Carmelite Way, Crestone, CO), in the chapel (the building with the bell tower)

Make a donation to CCR – Donate.
Topic Description:
In times of uncertainty, division, and rapid change, it is easy to become overwhelmed by fear, anger, frustration, or despair. Many people mistake equanimity for passivity, detachment, or simply accepting things as they are. In reality, equanimity is the foundation of wise and compassionate action. When we are caught in reactivity, our choices become driven by habit, bias, and emotion. Equanimity frees us from being controlled by these forces, allowing us to respond to life’s challenges with clarity, courage, and purpose.
Far from withdrawing from the world, equanimity empowers us to engage more fully and effectively. It helps us remain grounded amidst conflict, open-hearted in the face of suffering, and committed to positive change without becoming consumed by anger or hatred. In a world that often encourages us to react, equanimity offers the freedom to choose how we show up, with wisdom, compassion, and the capacity to be part of the solution rather than contributing to the suffering.
In this talk, John explores how cultivating an impartial and balanced mind expands our agency, strengthens our resilience, and enables us to meet even the most difficult circumstances with skill, dignity, and care. Through understanding and practice, we discover that equanimity is not a retreat from life. It is the inner freedom that allows us to participate in life more fully, love more deeply, and act more skillfully for the benefit of ourselves and others.

Heroic Heart Retreat at the Here and Now Center in Gunnison, CO
2026-06-14 09:30 - 15:30 | Here and Now Center, 115 S Colorado ST, Gunnison, CO, 81230, United States
Heroic Heart Day-Long Retreat
June 14th – In Person and Online
We are grateful to have the opportunity to gather monthly for these precious teachings and excited to return to Gunnison, CO to host this retreat!
This month, we explore “Practicing Concentration: Developing a Mind of Calm Abiding,” chapter 29 of The Heroic Heart, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s illuminating commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. These timeless teachings offer practical guidance for cultivating stability, clarity, and compassion—qualities that are especially vital in today’s world.
“Examine body, speech, and mind, and you will find that mind is the most important of the three. If your mind is thoroughly trained in sustained calm and profound insight (shamatha and vipashyana), your body and your speech will naturally follow your mind along the path of liberation.” – Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
The retreat is from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Mountain Time, with an hour break for lunch.
Offered by donation. To learn more and register, click here.

Heroic Heart Day-Long Retreat
2026-07-12 09:30 - 15:30 | Way of Compassion Dharma Center, 520 S 3rd ST, Suite 12, Carbondale, CO, 81623, United States
Heroic Heart – Full-Day Retreat
July 12th, 2026 – Online and In Person
We are grateful to have the opportunity to gather monthly for these precious teachings. This month’s topic will be “Practicing Wisdom” based on chapter 30 of The Heroic Heart, a commentary on the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. These are truly precious and essential teachings for our current times.
Offered by donation. Register Here: Monthly Day-Long Retreats on the Heroic Heart – Way of Compassion Dharma Center

Living Mindfully Fall Retreat
2026-10-01 - 2026-10-04 | Blazing Mountain Retreat Center, 2541 W Carefree Wy, Crestone, CO, 81131, United States
Living Mindfully Retreat with John Bruna
Our living mindfully retreats focus on developing skills to reduce the cognitive distortions, as well as unhealthy mental habits and patterns that create emotional and physical distress. The skills of living mindfully empower you to engage in your lives in ways that reduce stress, develop resiliency, attain greater degrees of self-worth, and cultivate more joy. Though based on Buddhist teachings, these practices are taught in a universal language, honoring and enhancing each person’s spiritual tradition and/or philosophy. Essentially, these are skills to help one live a life they find meaningful and fulfilling.
To learn more and register, click here.
