Practice with a Buddhist Master
Join us at Villa Sumaya this December for a Rare Opportunity to Practice with an Authentic Buddhist Master..
For more than two decades, Villa Sumaya has had the profound honor of welcoming teachers of the Namgyal lineage. This year, we are especially honored to welcome Lama Chökyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber) and to support his teachings in Guatemala. Over the years, we have witnessed the depth of wisdom, compassion, humility, and integrity he brings to each retreat, and it is with heartfelt gratitude that we once again welcome him to Villa Sumaya.
Students from a previous Vipassana retreat at Villa Sumaya.
Villa Sumaya is deeply committed to preserving and supporting authentic wisdom traditions, and we are honored to sponsor this offering in service to the Dharma and to welcome all those who feel called to practice.
This retreat offers a rare opportunity to explore the essential teachings of the Buddhist path through the direct experience of Vipassana meditation. Participants will cultivate mindfulness of breathing, body, and awareness while developing insight into cause and effect (karma), the nature of mind and perception, impermanence (anicca), the unsatisfactory nature of clinging (dukkha), and the realization of selflessness (anatta). Drawing from the rich traditions of classical Abhidharma, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen, the retreat offers an integrated approach to meditation that is both deeply rooted in lineage and profoundly relevant to modern practitioners.
In addition to the meditation teachings, Lama Chökyi Gyaltsen will bestow the White Dzambhala Empowerment – Union of the Sun and Moon, a treasured transmission from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition associated with cultivating prosperity, generosity, merit, and the supportive conditions for awakening.
Karma yogi volunteer meditating in the Villa Sumaya gardens.
Lama Chökyi Gyaltsen has devoted more than fifty years to the study, meditation, and teaching of the Buddhist path. Having trained extensively under some of the most respected masters of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, he transmits these teachings with remarkable clarity, humility, and direct experience. His rare ability to integrate the profound practices of Vipassana, Mahamudra, and Dzogchen makes this retreat an exceptional opportunity for both experienced practitioners and sincere newcomers.
Set on the peaceful shores of Lake Atitlán, Villa Sumaya has become a cherished sanctuary for contemplative practice, healing, and spiritual inquiry. Together with Lama Chökyi Gyaltsen, we warmly welcome participants from around the world to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of silence, breathtaking natural beauty, authentic teachings, nourishing vegetarian cuisine, and heartfelt community.
Rooftop meditation with a view of Atitlan volcano.
It is our privilege to help make these precious teachings accessible and to support the continuation of this extraordinary lineage. Whether you are deepening an established meditation practice or taking your first steps on the path, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable retreat rooted in timeless wisdom, compassionate guidance, and the rare opportunity to study with an authentic lineage holder in one of the world’s most inspiring retreat settings.
We look forward to welcoming you to Villa Sumaya.
Private meditations in the Tara Temple.