Retreat Cabin PowerPoint

The Diamond Mountain executive board and/or the building committee (I think that's what it's called) has just released a handy powerpoint presentation for anyone interested in the building of a cabin for the three-year retreat.  The slideshow is kind of a step-by-step instruction manual on what decisions one needs to make soon and how to make them.  Diagrams and blueprints of potential cabins are shown as well as the features of these.  Time is short and we've got to move fast.  Thanks to the board for lighting a fire under everyone.

Retreat Cabin PowerPoint (2.1 MB)

Test Cabin Images

Well underway is the first cabin for the upcoming 3-year retreat.  The retreat will begin in 2010 and so the Diamond Mountain cottage crew has begun the work.  The first cabin is in a sweet spot in the middle of the retreat valley, which is historically know as Bear Gulch.  It's a pretty neat place that includes (or will include) a bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, and screened patio.  I highly recommend making a trip to DM just to get the grand tour and hear all the tech details which I don't understand.

I've uploaded a few images from work today.  They'll give you a good idea of what's been happening in the valley.  Or better yet, head on up and nail, dig, cut, and/or lift something and see for yourself.

Test Cabin Images

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DM and More Videos

The incomparable Benjamin Worden has compiled a plethora of Diamond Mountain and Diamond Mountain related videos which are hosted on Google Video.  The listing includes DM yoga classes, DM courses, and teachings from various tours as well.  My favorite aspect of these vids is that they are of over a dozen different teachers and gives you a well-rounded feel of what it's like to study at Diamond Mountain. For example, the image shown here is from a yoga class taught by Mercedes Bahleda in Prague, Czech Republic.

Dig in.

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2nd Annual Je Tsongkapa Mantra Retreat

From August 15 - 24, the honorable Susan Stumpf, who is just back from a teaching stint in Singapore, will lead the second annual Diamond Mountain Je Tsongkapa mantra retreat.  This is a great way to get comfortable with silent retreats, mantra recitation, and Lama practices.  Susan is a true pro at all of these things and will no doubt lead a powerful retreat.

Retreat is a bit like a wing for flying with a spiritual practice; study being the other wing.  On the Tibetan Buddhist path, without either wing flight just won't happen.  But with them... [insert whistling].  So when you get a chance to do a group retreat with an expert, jump.  As a retreat struggler myself, that's just what I think.  Hopefully we'll see you all (or not see you) in retreat at DM some day.

To register or for more info email Nicole Sanderson (qamariyya at gmail.com).

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Retreat Cabin #1: Serious Progress

The first retreat cabin for the upcoming 3-year retreat at Diamond Mountain is well underway. The four room house features passive solar heating, an adobe floor, a composting toilet, and a really neat layout.  I'll do my best to have pictures up after my next visit to the site.  Doug Veenhof and crew are working five-day weeks and plan to have the cabin finished before September.

If you want to be a part of the crew email Doug (dveenhof at cableone.net) and get the details.  As of now the framing is about complete and I would guess that the roof may go up next.  It's all very exciting.  Only 53 more to go!

Update: Test Cabin Images

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