Casa Werma Pilgrimage/Retreat
November 4 - 10, 2025
Casa Werma in Patzcuaro, Mexico, will be hosting an invite-only group retreat focusing on the Werma Sadhana and terma tradition of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The retreat will combine meditation and chants, sadhana practice, and space to connect and socialize. We aspire to co-create an environment based on sacred world view, and to connect with the Werma Sadhana and essential teachings of the Shambhala tradition.
This retreat does not represent any particular group or institution and will not include formally appointed teachers. The organizers hold the view that loyalty in the Shambhala tradition is above all loyalty to our own hearts, and we embrace the fractured cosmic mirror that reflects our practice community. The Werma Sadhana is a shared treasure and we aspire to connect with that energy source together, without expectation or agenda.
In general, the structure of the retreat will be derived from the typical format of Shambhala and Vajradhatu group retreats, where life and practice mix. While our retreat schedule will be created with input from committed attendees in the coming months, we anticipate practicing Werma in 90-minute sessions 2-3 times a day, bookended by morning and evening sitting meditation and chants. The schedule will be structured yet flexible, allowing for people to navigate the week as they wish. While no formal teachers will be in attendance, we will organize video talks over Zoom with select honored elders. We will also screen video talks by the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, hold study and discussion groups, and take a field trip to visit Tzinzuntzan, the ceremonial pre-Columbian Purépecha capital and site of five main circular pyramids known as the Yácatas. This is where Trungpa visited just before discovering the Werma Sadhana in the Casa Werma garden.
The Casa Werma Foundation has generously offered to sponsor all participants tuition and accommodations for eight participants at Casa Werma. The mission of the Casa Werma Foundation is to serve as a pilgrimage and practice center for students of the Vidyadhara the Venerable Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, while also promoting the wellbeing of our local Patzcuaro sangha.
Children and families are more than welcome to attend this retreat. Families will need to coordinate with Casa Werma in advance to arrange childcare at an additional cost with trusted local providers.
Accommodations
Free accommodations are available on a first come, first served basis for up to eight participants at Casa Werma from November 4 – 10, 2025.
Offsite hotel rooms are available at nearby Estancia de la Era for $80 to $108 usd per night. If you like, Casa Werma can assist you in booking a room based on your preferences as part of your retreat registration.
Participants also have the option of reserving their own hotel rooms or AirBnB accommodations in the Patzcuaro area.
Please note: This retreat will take place just after Mexico’s traditional Día de Muertos celebrations, which hold cherished significance in Patzcuaro and the surrounding areas. In traditional Mexican lore, this is when the souls of the dead awaken to visit the living. In this spirit of sad-joy, you are invited to join us before the retreat commences for the celebrations which officially start on October 31st and continue through November 2nd. If you plan to do this, you will need to reserve your own off-site accommodations as soon as possible, as hotels fill up several months in advance.
Costs
Participants are responsible for all travel costs to Casa Werma. One-way ground transportation from the Morelia airport is also available with Casa Werma’s private driver for $80 usd.
Food: $175 usd per person. A local caterer will provide three daily meals at Casa Werma and there will also be opportunities for excursions to local restaurants (approximately $20 usd per person). Each participant will have the opportunity to indicate their dietary preferences/restrictions at the time of registration.
Tzintzuntzan Field trip: $25 usd per person.
Optional services
30 minute chair massage: $30 usd per person.
Sound bath: $50 usd for entire group.
We don’t want finances to be a barrier for anyone wishing to attend the retreat, so please reach out to Casa Werma if this is a concern, and we will do our best to find creative ways to accommodate and support everyone.
Travel Arrangements: We recommend flights into Morelia airport (90 minutes away by car). Casa Werma can help with travel arrangements, please visit our How to Get Here page for more info or send us an email at: reservations@casawerma.org with any further questions. All participant air travel will be offset by The Good Traveler carbon offset program.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure accommodation during peak season in the area, and so we can work together to realize our plans for the Casa Werma Pilgrimage/Retreat, Día de Muertos 2025!
Please email reservations@casawerma.org with any further questions.
Ki Ki So So, and lots of love,
Genevieve Waltcher and Ashoka Mukpo
Categories : Meditation Retreat / Un retiro de meditación, Shambhala Vajrayana