Walking the Path Shamata Retreat

Retreat Details 

• Teacher: Khen Rinpoche, supported by Justin Kirkwood
• Dates: April 24-26, 2026. An Additional Two-Day Add-on for Silent Meditation is Available from April 27-28.
• Location: Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, and Online
• Format: In-Person & Online 
• Details: This is the first retreat of the Walking the Path program. Students can register to attend this retreat as a stand-alone retreat, as well as register for year one of the Walking the Path program.

About this Retreat

Calm Abiding, or Shamata, is a foundational Buddhist meditation that trains the mind to rest in its natural state of stability and clarity. In this weekend retreat, you’ll begin a deep exploration of this practice within the Buddhist path of liberation—a journey toward freedom from habitual reactivity and the cultivation of rest. 

You will receive detailed instructions, illuminating the intricacies of Calm Abiding and providing practical insights to enhance your practice. You will engage in solo and group meditation sessions, receive personalized guidance, and leave with meditation homework to develop your understanding.  

This immersive experience sets the tone for the entire Walking the Path program, laying the groundwork for stability, focus, and calm awareness. This retreat is the first step in our two-year Walking the Path program. Students can attend this retreat as a standalone opportunity to deepen their meditation practice. 

Who Is This Retreat Suited For? 

This retreat is for students who wish to establish a strong foundation in meditation, cultivate concentration, and explore introductory Buddhist teachings and philosophy. No prior knowledge or experience is required.

What You’ll Learn at this Retreat:

• An introduction to the foundational practice of Calm Abiding meditation.
• Practical instruction and guidance to train the mind for greater presence, focus, and stability.
• The benefits of tranquility practice
• Instruction of Clearing the Stale Winds and preliminary practices
• Teaching instructions and benefits of practice

Sliding Scale Pricing Structure:

Our intention is to make this offering financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to attend this offering, please reach out to kate@namchak.org.

The in-person ticket price for this retreat also includes a shuttle* from Missoula Airport (MSO) to Bodhi House at Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, meals, and lodging.

• Supported – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the retreat.
• Suggested – For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
• Sponsored – For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others.

In-Person Tuition Options for the Walking the Path Retreat

• Supported $250
• Suggested $400
• Sponsored $650

Online Retreat Attendance for the Walking the Path Retreat

• Supported $50
• Suggested $75
• Sponsored $100

Logistics & Transportation:

• A shuttle to and from the Bodhi House from the Missoula airport will be provided if you are attending the retreat in person.
• Please plan to arrive in Missoula, MT by 3 pm on Friday at the latest.
• Optional Silent Retreat: Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
• Shuttles: Please note that the first shuttles will not arrive at the ranch before 9:00AM. We recommend scheduling return flights accordingly. We will provide a shuttle on Monday and Wednesday if you plan on staying for the Silent Retreat. Shuttles depart at 9:00 AM and go to the Missoula Airport (90-minute drive).
• If you need to catch an early morning flight, you’ll need to book a private shuttle with MSO Shuttle. Their one-way fare is approximately $309, and they can be contacted directly for scheduling. You can also rent a car from the Missoula airport upon your arrival to accommodate your flight schedule. 
• Lodging (small individual rooms at the Bodhi House), food, and a shuttle are included in the retreat price.
• If you have questions or concerns about shuttle timing, feel free to reach out to Meggan at mquigley@namchak.org

Inbound Shuttles to the Namchak Retreat Ranch:

• Shuttle 1 will depart at 1 pm from Missoula on Friday afternoon.
• Shuttle 2 will depart at 3:30 pm from Missoula on Friday afternoon.

Outbound Shuttles to the Missoula, MT Airport 

• Shuttles will depart from the Bodhi House at 9 am on Monday morning.
• Shuttles will depart from the Bodhi House at 9 am on Wednesday morning.

Materials

Upon registration, you will be provided a link to download a free digital copy of The Way to Develop Calm Abiding and Profound Insight by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche. You can also purchase a hard copy of this text from the Namchak Sangha Store.

For Online Attendees

The Zoom link for this retreat will be sent out in a follow-up email. 

We encourage online participants to provide themselves with an immersive and focused environment that is free from distractions. 

Recordings of these teachings will be made available after each course session has ended. These recordings are shared with the intention of making the content of the session available to those who had a conflict that prevented them from attending live. 

About the Walking the Path Program:

Walking the Path offers a systematic and interactive approach to develop Calm Abiding and Profound Insight, providing participants with the opportunity to attend four-weekend retreats over two years. Tailored for those ready to deepen their practice, this program is ideal for individuals seeking guidance from an expert teacher within a supportive community.

This program relies upon the three jewels with Buddha as our teacher, the Dharma as our path, and the Sangha as our helpers. We will take refuge, generate bodhicitta, and end each session with dedication and aspirations. By developing a mind of renunciation, we will focus on attaining liberation and Buddhahood for the sake of all beings.

Year One Focus: Calm Abiding (Shamata):

The first retreat, Walking the Path: The Way to Develop Calm Abiding Retreat, concentrates on the foundational practice of Calm Abiding (of Shamata). This technique, rooted in stabilizing attention and quieting thoughts, lays the groundwork for all subsequent practices. Students in Year One engage in a structured daily practice schedule, receive detailed practice instructions, and join monthly check-ins with Justin Kirkwood.

What You Will Learn in the Walking the Path Program:

Year One emphasizes Calm Abiding practices, cultivating stability, focus, and presence. Participants receive detailed instructions based on Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s teachings. For those ready to commit to Year Two, Profound Insight (Vipassana) meditation awaits, offering a deeper understanding of reality.

Program Highlights:

• Accessible online attendance for the first year, with the second year in-person at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Spring, Montana. Of course, participants in the first year are welcome to join in person at the Bodhi House as well.
• Engage with a supportive community through regular check-ins, recommended readings, and dharma teachings.
• Flexible registration options allow participants to sign up for the first retreat as a stand-alone retreat or the entire first year of the program.

Who is This Program For?

Walking the Path is recommended for individuals with some meditation experience ready to focus on the Buddhist path. Online attendance is available for year one, and in-person attendance is mandatory for year two, where students take refuge vows. Namchak Khen Rinpoche is the primary teacher of the Walking the Path program.

Registration & Add-Ons:

Please be sure to select the appropriate Add-On during ticket purchase if you plan to attend the optional additional two days of silent retreat or if you plan to continue with the Walking the Path program. When registering, please complete the following 3 steps:

1. Select the way in which you’ll be attending this retreat (In-person or Online via Zoom for the Weekend Teachings) according to our sliding scale.
2. Select whether or not you will be joining us for the optional additional two days of silent retreat following the weekend of teachings. If you are planning to join us for 2-Day Silent Retreat, please select whether you will be joining in-person or online via Zoom.
3. Select pricing tier for Year 1 of the Walking the Path Program if you wish to participate. Cost according to our sliding scale.