Retreat Information
INFORMATION
We are pleased to welcome everyone to the Padmasambhava Peace Institute for this event. Please take the time to read through the following information before arriving for the retreat. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us on (707) 632 5629 or email info@padmapeace.org
Registration and Payment
Payment is by cash, check or credit card made in advance. Places are only confirmed on receipt of payment. To pay, please call 415 663 9421. Please do NOT send any credit card details via email.
Check-in on arrival is required for ALL participants. Please ensure that you allow enough time to drive to PPI, check-in and settle in before the retreat starts. At check-in you will receive your receipt for payment, be asked to read and sign a liability release form, get your job assignment and find out where you are staying. The registration/check-in office is the first building on the right as you enter the main camp area.
Sponsorship
The gift of dharma is one of the most precious offerings anyone can make, and is a source of great merit and joy. If you would like to sponsor partial or full attendance for someone in financial difficulty, please call 707 632 5629 to discuss how you could arrange such an offering, or email info@padmapeace.org.
Driving to PPI
WARNING -- Mapquest/Yahoo etc directions are NOT helpful in reaching PPI safely and easily!
Driving times are about one hour from Santa Rosa, and two-and-a-half hours to three hours from San Francisco. If you need directions along the way, most locals know PPI as ‘Black Mountain’ or ‘the old prison’. Note that mobile phones tend not to work for the last 30 minutes or so of the drive up. Gas stations can be found in Santa Rosa and Guerneville, but not Cazadero.
Recommended route: For a beautiful coastal drive, take Highway 1. From Guerneville, head west on Highway 116 to Jenner. From Sebastopol, either:
1) head west on Bodega Highway (mostly coast), or
2) take 116 through Forestville and Duncan's Mills (coastal/inland)
then head north on Highway 1 through Jenner. A few miles past Jenner, after a cattle-guard, turn right onto Meyers Grade Road. Follow Meyers Grade Road for about 4 miles and then keep on the lookout for the first paved road going off to the right. There are no street signs at this junction, but this road going off to the right is Fort Ross Road. (Fort Ross Road also continues on straight at this intersection and there is a yellow road sign on the left which says Fort Ross Road is straight ahead, but do not continue on straight!) Turn right onto this unmarked road and keep going about 4 more miles until you reach an open stretch with a big mail box on the left marked "PPI" and a long concrete barrier and driveway on the right. On the right is also a large sign saying 'Padmasambhava Peace Institute', 'Black Mountain Preserve' as well as 'Fort Ross Fire Dept'. Turn right into the driveway and follow the road for about 1.5 miles until you reach a cluster of buildings -- the office is the first building on the right.
Most direct route: Note that this is the faster route, but you drive on steep, narrow and winding road -- some drivers prefer the more relaxing coastal route.
Take Highway 101 to the River Road/Mark West Springs Road exit (just north of the city of Santa Rosa). Go west on River Road to Guerneville. In Guerneville, River Road turns into Highway 116 West. Continue on Highway 116 West to Cazadero Highway. Look for the sign which will point right and say “Cazadero”. (Note: you will pass Old Cazadero Road. It is not recommended). Turn right on Cazadero Highway to the town of Cazadero. Cazadero Highway becomes Fort Ross Road as you leave the town of Cazadero; stay to the left when you get to the stop sign at the end of town. You will be going uphill. Approximately 6 miles of winding road from the stop sign is the entrance to Black Mountain Preserve. There is a large wooden sign on the left, and a mailbox with “PPI’ on the right. It is a sharp left turn in to the property. Prayer flags are flying. The address is 23125 Fort Ross Road, Cazadero, CA 95421. Stay on this winding road all the way down until you reach a cluster of buildings -- prayer flags are hung at intervals along the road.
Caution: We strongly urge everyone to drive slowly on and around the property as there are many wild animals who cross the roads freely and unsuspectingly, and in the camp itself we have young children. Speeds of 20mph on the access road and 5mph at the camp are advised. Thank you for your co-operation.
Public Transport: For those coming from further afield, an airport bus operates every 90 minutes out of San Francisco and Oakland airports to Santa Rosa. Click here for details: http://www.airportexpressinc.com.
Accommodation
Accommodation at PPI is in clean, comfortable, heated dormitories with single and double beds. There are no bunkbeds. A small number of semi-private shared rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis according to payment received. Screens are provided for some areas also. Toilets and showers are located down the corridor from the dorms. You need to provide your own bedding (ie sleeping bag and/or blankets, sheets if desired, and a pillow, as well as towels. Please note that temperatures at PPI can drop considerably at night, even in the summer. Alternatively, bedding plus towel is available for a charge of $10-$15 per event.
Private rooms in the main Tara (lama) house may be available -- please check.
Camping is not allowed anywhere on the PPI property or on our neighbors’ property.
If you wish to stay outside PPI overnight, guesthouses and hotels are located in Guerneville and Occidental, 30-40 minutes away, and details of these are available on the Internet.
Children
Children are always welcome at PPI, but we ask that parents who plan to bring their children contact us in advance to discuss supervision arrangements. Parents individually or collectively take full responsibility for retreat children's welfare. Children up to 12 years of age must have adult supervision at all times. They are welcome to sit, play or move around in the shrine room as long as parents ensure that disturbance to others is kept to a minimum. If your child becomes very disruptive, please take care of him or her outside of the shrine room. We ask that other retreatants support and enjoy the participation of children in the retreat by practising patience and understanding!
The corridor in the Manzanita Rooms building houses a collection of toys and books for children of all ages, and we also have a limited supply of artwork materials available. Children are welcome to play in the outdoor playground (swings, climbing net etc) by the staff house, but adult supervision is required. The asphalt area away from the shrine-room is ideal for riding trikes/bikes provided an adult stays close by, since cars continue to drive in and out occasionally.
Lounge Areas
There is currently no separate living-room or lounge at PPI for retreatants outside of puja hours or for older kids during the day. Please instead make yourself comfortable in the sofa corner in the dining-hall, the sofa area by the Manzanita Roms, or any of the garden areas or terrace by Tara House. Note that the staff house is for residents only and retreatants should only go there for registration or emergency purposes.
Fire hazard
PPI is located in an area of high fire risk, whatever the current weather conditions, and we ask for everyone’s assistance in keeping the land safe. Fires, candles, and incense are never permitted except under the clear direction of PPI staff. Smoking is strictly forbidden at all times.
General safety
The property is home to many species of wildlife, and we respect their right to a safe and happy existence. At the same time we request visitors take responsibility for avoiding unwanted encounters with creatures such as rattlesnakes. Please stick to marked trails and avoid disturbing areas that may be an animal’s habitat. If you see snakes in the vicinity of the buildings, please tell a member of staff.
There are several sections of the buildings which contain dangerous machinery or equipment – please ensure that you and any children you are supervising observe all ‘Keep out’ signs.
Restrictions
The use of tobacco products and recreational drugs is not permitted at any time. Also, please do not bring meat or alcoholic drinks onto the property.
Telecommunications
Cell phones do not work at PPI or in much of the surrounding area. You can drive back up to the main road and to the white house to make or receive calls if necessary -- a 5 minute drive. A calling card can be used for making calls on the land-line during office hours if necessary (only during scheduled breaks). Our telephone number (707) 632 5629 can be given to friends and relatives as an emergency contact.
Laundry
Laundry facilities will not be available during this retreat.
Lotus Light Store
The store stocks practice items, sadhanas, photos, books, gifts, cards, CDs, thangkas and other art work, a selection of clothing including chubas, snacks, basic toiletries and items such as flashlights. Opening hours will be posted during the event. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. Due to the limited amount of cash held in the store, however, please ensure you bring enough change for offerings you wish to make during the event.
List of things to bring
CUSHION FOR THE SHRINE ROOM if you think you will need to use more than the single one we can offer you! Chairs and small tables are available for those unable to sit on the floor.
Texts -- for those who have the empowerments, please bring texts for daily puja (Wrathful Guru, Red Tara, Riwo Sangchod, Essence of Ongoing Yoga, Vajrakilaya, Protectors, Lion-faced Dakini, concise Chod) long-life prayers and Galaxy of Heartdrops. Copies of many texts, photos, thangkas and related books are available for sale at the Lotus Light store at PPI.
Any medication or toiletries you will need
Sleeping bag/bedding, blanket, pillow, towels, if staying in the dorms and not paying for bedding
Flashlight
Ear-plugs if you are disturbed by snoring, nasal strips if you're a snorer!
Warm- and cool-weather comfortable clothing (layers work best)
Rain gear including suitable shoes for wet weather - Cazadero can get very wet
Shower slippers
Food
All meals at this retreat are vegetarian. Food is prepared and eaten in the large kitchen/dining area in the center of PPI. Snacks and food are NOT allowed in the dormitories at any time. Please note that there is no refrigeration space available for individual retreatants’ use; however a table is set aside in the dining hall for people to leave their food items, boxed/bagged and clearly labeled.
We offer a range of fresh fruits, organic whole-grain breads, and stock both dairy and soya milks. However, if you follow a restricted or specialist diet and require items such as gluten-free breads, vegan spreads, desserts (eg wheat-free cookies) or drinks (eg rice or nut milks), please be sure to bring your own supplies, since in order to keep our costs competitive, we cannot guarantee that we will provide all such items.
Food/medical issues
If you have a serious food allergy or medical condition we should know about, please contact us as soon as possible. (All information kept strictly confidential).
Offerings
Traditionally, an offering is made to the lama after teachings or empowerments, whether in the form of money, gold, a katag or simply flowers. Tibetan offering scarves (katags) can be purchased at the Lotus Light store, and envelopes for monetary offerings will be provided. Please bring enough cash in the denominations you need, as the store only has a very limited amount of change it can provide for offerings.
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Shrine room and library are available for silent personal sitting or study outside of session hours.
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If this information does not answer all your questions, please contact us as soon as possible by phone or email as detailed above, and we will do our best to help. We look forward to welcoming you to PPI for this auspicious occasion!
This page was last updated on
November 2, 2009
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