The Karmê Chöling main house reflected in the pond on a clear autumn day in Barnet, Vermont.
The Karmê Chöling main house in Barnet, Vermont. Photo: Karmê Chöling, karmecholing.org

Karmê Chöling is a Buddhist meditation retreat center nestled in the green hills of Barnet, Vermont, where people come to develop mindfulness and awareness for everyday life.

A meditation community in New England

Founded by the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa, Karmê Chöling is a lineage based Shambhala Buddhist retreat center whose core teachings come from the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism, handed down from teacher to student through the generations. As a community, they work to create a kind and compassionate society by bringing mindfulness into personal interactions and daily activities.

Everyone is welcome. Karmê Chöling is dedicated to an environment that is welcoming, safe and caring for all, built on trust, kindness, cooperation and openness to one another's differences.

“Spirituality doesn’t exist on another level different from ordinary life.”

Chögyam Trungpa, founder of Karmê Chöling

Practitioners moving together in a contemplative practice on the lawn at Karmê Chöling.
Contemplative practice on the Karmê Chöling lawn. Photo: Karmê Chöling, karmecholing.org

Ways to practice at Karmê Chöling

  • Retreat programs. Five to ten day dharma retreats, plus custom designed retreats for your own path.
  • The Shambhala Training path. A step by step journey into meditation and the warrior teachings of basic goodness.
  • Buddhist teachings and introductory classes. Gentle instruction in sitting meditation for complete beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.
  • Mind and body practices. Contemplative arts such as Kyudo, the meditative art of archery, alongside qigong and mindful movement.
  • Open meditation sessions. Drop in and sit with the community.
  • Residency. Live alongside fellow contemplative practitioners, with telecommuting available so you can keep your day job.
A wooden solitary retreat cabin among green Vermont woods at Karmê Chöling.
A solitary retreat cabin in the Vermont woods. Photo: Karmê Chöling, karmecholing.org

Solitary retreat cabins

For deeper practice, Karmê Chöling offers solitary retreat cabins tucked into the forest, where you can rest in silence and simplicity. The land also holds a main shrine room, a Kyudo practice area, an organic garden and the Purkhang, all part of a peaceful setting for reflection.

Connect with Karmê Chöling

Visit karmecholing.org to explore upcoming programs, retreats and residency, sign up for their weekly newsletter, or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Visit Karmê Chöling

If you love stories about light, courage and finding your people, take a peek at The Starseed Chronicles, our animated series and game from Infused Lights: The Starseed Chronicles.

With love, Infused Lights. This spotlight is part of the Infused Lights Light Network, a free directory of friends doing light filled work. Photos courtesy of Karmê Chöling (karmecholing.org), used with credit and a link back to their site.

Can we pray for you?

Fill out a request here, and we will gently hold your prayer, intention, or gratitude in light.

Fill out a request