The Healing Power of Mind: How to Transform Suffering into Strength (In-person or Online Retreat)

“ Tibetan Buddhists believe that illnesses like cancer can be a warning, to remind us that we have been neglecting deep aspects of our being, such as our spiritual needs. If we take this warning seriously and change fundamentally the direction of our lives, there is a very real hope for healing not only our bodies, but our whole being.” — Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

During this retreat, we will explore the path of healing from both a spiritual and emotional perspective, drawing on Alain’s experience of recovering from terminal cancer.

Can the mind support the body’s healing? And how might we begin to understand healing not simply as recovery, but as transformation?

We will reflect on four main themes of healing:

• Our fundamental nature – a source of healing

• Meditation – a practice to heal our being

• Discovering the source of love within – learning to accept and befriend ourselves

• Visualization and invocation – a profound way to heal our being

This retreat is open to anyone interested in healing, whether you are facing illness yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply drawn to inner transformation.

Please Note: Tibetan masters encourage approaching health challenges with both spiritual practices and appropriate medical care.

What to Expect

This weekend retreat combines teachings, personal stories, and healing practices drawn directly from the methods Alain used in his own journey.

We will begin on Thursday evening with an opening talk to set our intention and introduce the themes we’ll be exploring. The following three days will offer a gentle schedule of instruction, guided meditations, and experiential practices such as mindfulness, loving-kindness, and visualization.

The retreat is designed to be spacious and supportive, especially for those facing health challenges. There are no long or strenuous meditation sessions, and participants are welcome to sit, lie down, move, or rest as needed. You are encouraged to engage at your own pace and capacity.

Whether you join us in person or online via the hybrid option, you will leave with a clear understanding of practices and approaches you can continue at home. All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants.

No prior preparation is required. If you wish, you may bring a journal to reflect or take notes between sessions.

Pay-It-Forward tuition: $458.00 usd . We invite all who are able to do so to consider paying the Pay-It-Forward tuition rate. By doing so, you make it possible for us to offer scholarships to others, particularly our Mexico sangha, while also contributing to Casa Werma’s year-round operations. Please select Pay-It-Forward Tuition Add-On in Registration.

Scholarships and discounts are available, please don’t let finances prevent you from attending. Contact us at: finance@casawerma.org

Heart Gifts: It is customary to offer a monetary heart gift to a dharma teacher. This is a significant source of income for many teachers. Gifts are voluntary, and any amount will be appreciated. There will be an opportunity for all participants to do this near the end of the retreat.