Program Options
Residential Retreat with Carlos de León Enrolment is open to EVERYONE!
May 26 thru 31, 2024
EARLY BIRD: Valid until May 15, 2024!
Important Update: Before registering for your lodging, please contact the Ontogony Team at info@ontogony.com to confirm availability, as space is limited. Reservations are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Host Location: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, Maple Ridge, BC. This lovely natural setting on the shore of a pristine lake is part of the University of British Columbia's Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. Located 1.5 hours from downtown Vancouver, it is like an enchanted forest full of walking trails and wildlife.
Do you long for a profound experience of meditation to nurture your body, heart and soul? The Dakinis Intensive, a 6-Day Residential Meditation Retreat, beautifully located, offers both beginners and seasoned practitioners an opportunity to really deepen. It is a week-long intensive for new and current students that provides a meditation environment in which to cultivate ''The Natural Mind or State''. Meditation, long considered the "royal road" to enlightenment, has exceptional value and relevance for the times we now live in.
This retreat introduces the elements essential to the experience of a meditation practice for new students. For more seasoned practitioners, it offers a connection with energetic beings in feminine form who evoke the movement of energy in space. In this context, the sky or space indicates Sūnyatā, the insubstantiality of all phenomena, which is, at the same time, the pure potentiality of all possible manifestations. Dakini in Sanskrit or Khandro in Tibetan means "sky dweller" or " sky dancer" and is the most sacred aspect of Tibetan Buddhism's feminine principle, embodying humanity and divinity in feminine form. Dakini practices are considered some of the most profound, graceful, swift, and blissful that we can learn. Dakini's practices are valuable, practical, and relevant in a world like this! In Dzogchen, the Dakini could be considered the final of three stages on the Vajrayana Path: As the Base, the Dākinīs are the energies of life; as the Path, they are the activities of advanced practitioners; and as the Fruit, they are the actionless activities of the realized Masters. There is no prerequisite for attending this retreat other than your desire. However, we strongly recommend you review the "Mini-Series: Meditation Practice" as preparation. It will deepen your state of awareness and enrich your in-person time with Carlos de León. Program Objectives of the Dakini’s Meditation Retreat: Fundamental Practices and Theoretical Foundations of Vajrayogini, Tara, Ekajati Vajrayoginī Vajrayoginī is a Tantric Buddhist Buddha and a Dākiṇī. The essence of Vajrayoginī is "great passion", a transcendent passion free from egoism and delusion: it works intensely for the welfare of others and the destruction of ego-clinging. Vajrayoginī practice belongs to the Mother Tantra class of Anuttarayoga Tantras, along with other tantras like Cakrasaṃvara and Hevajra Tantras. Vajrayogini is the female Buddha who takes forms like a dancing Dakini, a fierce, joyful, wrathful warrior, or a compassionate mother, single or embraced by her consort. She symbolizes the vibrant intrinsic power of altruistic love and radical clarity. For Vajrayogini, this focuses on the transformation from ordinary grasping and clinging to altruistic, supreme love; it focuses on the transformation of our identity and the re-inhabitation of the experience embodied in the energy of the yidam, the deity of meditation. It is a practice that frees the mind from the confines of its habitual reference points. This practice is a profound method of meditation based on the Vajrayana view of the mind so that our identity is opened and aesthetically charged with the energies of the five wisdoms. Tara Tara is undoubtedly the most popular female Buddha. Her name means "star" in Sanskrit, and she is believed to possess the ability to guide followers on their spiritual path like a star. Her name in Tibetan, Jetsun Dölma, means " she that saves." In some Buddhist legends, it is said that she was born from one of Avalokiteshvara's tears, shed in a moment of deep compassion. Other Buddhist legends, however, tell of a devout Buddhist princess who lived millions of years ago and became a bodhisattva, vowing to keep being reborn in female form (rather than in male form, which was somebody considered more advanced on the ‘Path to Enlightenment’) to continue helping others. She remained in a state of meditation for 10 million years, thus releasing tens of millions of beings from suffering. Since then, she has manifested her enlightenment as the goddess Tara. Ekajati Ekajati is the supreme protectress of Ati Great Perfection Teaching, Dzogchen. She is a guardian of the Tantric Path and protects it from those who are unworthy. She removes obstacles to the lives and accomplishments of those who practice the Secret Mantra Path. Ekajati is the protector of secret mantras, and "as the mother of the mothers of all the Buddhas," she represents absolute, ultimate unity. Her ascribed powers also remove the fear of enemies, spread joy, and remove personal hindrances on the Path to enlightenment. Ekajati is considered the Queen of the Dakinis. What Students say about a Meditation Retreat... "Embraced by natural beauty. Inspired by wisdom teachings and meditation. Learning how to live, present, aware, and connected to our transcendental innate nature." ~ MP "Fascinating, nourishing, fun...an unanticipated pleasure in my renewed relationship with the Divine! I am still eternally grateful for this experience and eagerly looking forward to the next meditation retreat!" ~ PM There is no prerequisite for attending this retreat. However, if you are new to meditation with Ontogony, we strongly recommend that you review the following online programs to acquaint yourself with the elements of a meditation practice. This will enable you to fully benefit from the level of teachings transmitted by the group practice during the retreat. Mini-Series: Meditation Practice ~ Special Offer for Retreat Registrants: 30% Off! This offer is valid until April 8, 2024! Workshop Series: 9 Drops of Clarity, Advanced Meditation Practice ~ Special Offer for Retreat Registrants: 30% Off! Valid until April 8, 2024. To help you register for the Special Offer, learn more about the Path of Meditation, or receive further details on how to prepare for the Intensive Retreat, contact us at info@ontogony.com; we are happy to coordinate a Zoom Meet & Greet with an Ontogony Team Member who can offer guidance. Program Format: Residential Retreat of 6 Days and 5 Nights Program Dates: May 26 through 31, 2024 May 26, 2024: Arrive at 11:30 am for registration and room check-in, and the program session starts at 1:00 pm. May 31, 2024: Closing session ends at approximately 1:00 pm, followed by a light lunch before your return. Session Times: (Estimates only, due to the nature of Carlos de Leon'sLeon's teaching style) May 26, 2024 — 1:00 to 8:00 pm May 27 to 30, 2024 — 8:00 am to 10:00 pm May 31, 2024 — 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Language: English Location: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, Maple Ridge, BC; this beautiful property found on the shore of a pristine lake is part of the University of British Columbia'sColumbia's Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, located 1.5 hours from downtown Vancouver. Tel: (604) 463-8149; Toll-Free: (866) 463-8165 Address: 14500 Silver Valley Road, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2R3 Website: http://www.loonlake.ubc.ca Program Material Access: On-Demand in the Ontogony Classroom for two years from May 31, 2024. Accommodation & Tuition Options in Canadian Dollars, Inclusive of GST (Goods & Services Taxes) Program Fee: Includes tuition, accommodation for 6 days/5 nights, and meals; 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners beginning with lunch on May 26, 2024, and concluding with a light lunch on May 31, 2024. Options for lodging are on a first-come-first-served basis. We recommend that you register early, reserve your choice of accommodation, and provide us with the name of your roommate(s); otherwise, we cannot guarantee your selection of lodging. If your lodging choice is a double or quad room and we cannot fulfil the roommate requirements, an upgrade charge will apply to your tuition fees. Please Note: Payment Plans must be secured with a credit card that we can use to access our secure banking system. IMPORTANT UPDATE: Before registering for your choice of lodging, don't hesitate to contact the Ontogony Team at info@ontogony.com to confirm availability and ensure we have a roommate(s) for you to share with if you are not providing us with an option. KOERNER LODGE EARLY BIRD: Valid until May 15, 2024 Koerner Lodge: Double Room Option A – Early Bird: Koerner Lodge Double Room (Payment in Full): $2,238.60 CAD, due at the time of registration. Koerner Lodge: Quad Room Option A – Early Bird: Koerner Lodge Quad Room (Payment in Full): $2,122.84 CAD, due at the time of registration. REGULAR TUITION: Valid from May 16, 2024 Koerner Lodge: Double Room Option A – Regular Tuition: Koerner Lodge Double Room (Payment in Full): $2,462.46 CAD, due at the time of registration. Koerner Lodge: Quad Room Option A – Regular Tuition: Koerner Lodge Quad Room (Payment in Full): $2,335.12 CAD, due at the time of registration. JOHNSON YEW EARLY BIRD: Valid until May 15, 2024 Johnson Yew: Single Room Option A – Early Bird: Johnson Yew Single Room (Payment in Full): $2,234.23 CAD, due at the time of registration. Johnson Yew: Double Room Option A – Early Bird: Johnson Yew Double Room (Payment in Full): $2,118.46 CAD, due at the time of registration. REGULAR TUITION: Valid from May 16, 2024 Johnson Yew: Single Room Option A – Regular Tuition: Johnson Yew Single Room (Payment in Full): $2,457.65 CAD, due at the time of registration. Johnson Yew: Double Room Option A – Regular Tuition: Johnson Yew Double Room (Payment in Full): $2,330.31 CAD, due at the time of registration. Program Access: On-Demand in the Ontogony Classroom for two years from May 31, 2024. GENERAL CANCELLATION POLICIES AGREEMENT TO TERMS & CONDITIONS: In completing your registration for the Retreat, you agree to the policy set forth by Ontogony Evolution LTD 2023-2024. PLEASE NOTE: Should you cancel your registration after the date of registration, you will be subject to the following full program cancellation fees, plus an administration fee of $75. A credit memo for the outstanding amount will be applied to your student account. There are no cash refunds. All requests for any cancellations must be submitted in writing, to the Finance Administrator at info@ontogony.com. Variable refunds for cancellations will be given, as follows: The guidelines presented are those set forth by our host. Ontogony Evolution Ltd is required to adhere, as mandated in our contract with Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre. In circumstances, where Carlos de León uses his reserved right to decline the admission or further participation of any person prior to or during a program, that person will be refunded either the full program fee (when admission has been declined)
or a partial program fee that is pro-rated according to the program time remaining that he/she will no longer be attending. GENERAL PROGRAM ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES Agreement with the following is requisite for enrolment in Residential Retreat: Dakinis Meditation Intensive Retreat (Year One):
Practicing with Dakini "sky dancers" is the most sacred aspect of the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism. Both spiritual and erotic, ecstatic and wise, playful and profound, fierce and peaceful—beyond the conceptual mind's grasp. There is a place for our feminine being to be present in all its guises.
Carlos de León,
the founder of Ontogony, holds Ph.D.’s in both Clinical Psychology and Holistic Medicine. Dr. de León has spent more than 40 years in related research, study, and practitioner experience,
particularly in the area of personal transformation. As the founder of the Mexican Association for Psychotherapy and Transpersonal Development, he teaches and, perhaps more significantly, has developed the model known as Ontogony:
an inquiring discipline for the research, study, and development of liberating tools and paradigms. Read more... 
