Celebration & Tantric Empowerments
Three Vajrayana Empowerments
It’s time to pull off our masks, give each other a hug and come together in celebration.
Countless hands have contributed to building our incredible center. It is with deep gratitude that we invite you to join us in celebration, connection and growth.
Join us for a weekend of Tantric Empowerments and community connection as we celebrate our past, present and future.
Important Note:
Registration closes August 3rd for people staying at Clear Sky.
Registration closes August 10th for people joining online.
Three Ways to Attend
In-Person Weekend Celebration
We’re open again – join in-person at Clear Sky!
The weekend includes:
- Three Wong Kur Empowerments at 4pm MT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday;
- Special presentations from Qapel and Sensei on our Past, Present and Future;
- Japanese cocktail party;
- Dance Party;
- Quality time with our Teachers and community.
Online Weekend Celebration
If you’re unable to travel, we are using an interactive online platform to help you feel part of the festivities.
The weekend includes:
- Three Online Wong Kur Empowerments at 4pm MT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday;
- Special presentations from Qapel and Sensei on our Past, Present and Future;
- 24-hour Online Shrine Room to practice with our global community;
- Online Dance Party and Cocktail Party.
Online Empowerments Only
- Register for one or all three of the Wong Kur Empowerments held at 4pm MT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Weekend Schedule
The following activities are available in-person and online. Note: Some times may be subject to slight changes.
Friday, August 13th
- Arrival time: 11am Friday August 13th (onsite participants)
- 4pm Green Tara Empowerment
- 7:30pm Anniversary Opening and Japanese Cocktail Party with the Teachers.
Saturday, August 14th
- 9:30am-11:30am MST: Catherine Sensei presenting on the History of Clear Sky
- 4pm Amitayus Empowerment
- 7:30pm: Community Sharing Open Mic
- 8:30pm: Dancing
Sunday, August 15th
- 9:30-11:00am: Looking to the Future – Community visioning and temple update.
- 4pm Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda Empowerment
- Celebrations officially end with the wongkur on Sunday afternoon. There is also the option to stay for dinner.
Online Participants Wongkur Orientation
- 2pm MST (Tentative. Time to be confirmed) before each wongkur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- 24 hour online practice rooms will be available.
Participants coming onsite for empowerments only
- Please register online and arrive by 3pm MST before each empowerment. Please also call 250-429-3929 to confirm we have received your registration.
What is a Wong Kur Empowerment?
“In the depth of the psyche lie all possibilities in a state of unrealized potential. In every being there exists the possibility of experiencing transcendental consciousness, which when the student is ready, the Teacher(s) can make accessible to him or her via empowerment, initiation, or wongkur.” -Namgyal Rinpoche
Empowerments give you an energetic blessing, and access to practice mantra and visualisation of different transcendental archetypes from the Himalayan schools of Buddhism.
This retreat will empower you to practice:
- Green Tara (Friday, August 13 at 4pm MT);
- Amitayus (Saturday, August 14 at 4pm MT);
- Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda (Healing Triad) (Sunday, August 15 at 4pm MT)
What if I Haven’t Attended an Empowerment Before?
These are special ceremonies that are best experienced in person, therefore we welcome new people to join us in person.
However, if you can only attend online, we ask that you have attended events with us in the past, or have some experience with vajrayana deity practice.
We also ask that you read the following text before your arrival: What is Wong Kur?
Our Founding Teachers
Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre, BC, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct, humourous and compassionate engagement with students, Doug embraces various traditions, contemporary psychology, and science, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.
FAQs
Dana: This course is offered by Doug and Catherine Sensei through the ancient principle of generosity, or Dāna. The retreat fee covers the cost of food and accommodation, whereas the Teachings are offered by generosity. Learn more about Dāna here.
Pricing: As a charitable organization, we strive to provide locally sourced organic meals and comfortable accommodations at an affordable price. Fees vary depending on your accommodation choice and early bird pricing.
Arrival is Friday, August 13th at 11:30am.
Departure is Sunday, August 15th at 7:30pm.
Airport pickups can be booked when you register for the retreat. On the rare chance that this retreat is cancelled, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
Travel Restrictions, COVID-19 Policy: Please contact us – Email michelle@clearskycenter.org or (250) 429-3929 for details/options for local participation.
Details coming soon.
About Us
Located in the BC rocky mountains, we offer over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature. Founded by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat, we are home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world.
Here are some FAQs on how to get here, what to bring and what to expect.
To help you get acquainted with us, some community members made this short video during our 2019 Buddhas in Action retreat. To learn more about us and our incredible community, click here!
