Karuna Basic Training Program In 2 phases
2025 - 2026 Phase 1: 9 months
2026 - 2027 Phase 2: 12 months
See Costs & Dates
Phase 1
- One seven-day in-person retreat
- Two online courses
Phase 2
- Two seven-day in-person retreats
- Two on-line courses
- One mentored Community Project
Karuna Training Phase 1
1
Foundations in Contemplative Psychology
A 7-day in-person retreat at Ari Bhöd
2
Abihidharma in Everyday Life
Three 3-hour online courses
3
Compassionate Exchange
Four 3-hour online courses
Karuna Training Phase 2
1
Maitri and Compassionate
A 7-day in person Maitri Space Awareness retreat at Ari Bhöd
2
Maitri in Everyday Life
Seven 2-hour Online sessions every other week
3
Karuna Compassionate Exchange Projects
Application of Compassionate Exchange in a mentored, self-driven community project
4
Entering the Bardo of Everyday Life
Seven 2-hour monthly online sessions
5
Maitri Celebration
A 7-day in person Maitri Space Awareness retreat at Ari Bhöd
Karuna Training Phase 1:
May 31st 2025 - Jan 17th 2026
Karuna 1:1 Foundations in Contemplative Psychology
Residential Retreat at Ari Bhöd, Tehachapi, CA
May 31 - June 6, 2025
May 31 - June 6, 2025
This retreat focuses on the Five Buddha Family Mandala through the Elements: Space, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. We form the community cohort, meet each other as teachers and students, and receive instruction and practice in Sitting Meditation, Embodiment Practices, and Foundations in Buddhist Psychology.
Contemplative Psychology
Introduction to Basic Sanity, Intrinsic Health, and the foundational Karuna Methods of Sitting Meditation, Embodiment, and Speaking from the Heart Group.
The Mandala of the Five Buddha Families
Participants are introduced to the Mandala of the Five Buddha Families through the elements. Instruction on the development of ego and the six Realms of psychological experience.
Karuna Embodiment Practices
The basis of all Karuna methods is embodiment. The methods taught in Karuna Training require us to be attuned to our bodies' capacity to feel what is arising in the present moment.
Community & Social Awareness
Karuna Training takes place in a cohort community. Through cohort relationships, we awaken to our unconscious biases and embark on a journey of social awareness, inclusivity and Maitri (loving kindness).
Karuna 1:2 Abhidharma in Everyday Life
Each 3-hour session is held on the 3rd Saturday of the month: 9-12 PT, 10-1MT, 11-2 CT, 12-3 ET
Ego and Egolessness
Saturday July 19, 2025
Saturday July 19, 2025
Contemplative Psychology's definition of Ego, understanding the mind, the operating system of skandhas and the development of ego.
Emotions and Realms
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Introduction to the six realms and corresponding emotions and energies. Introduction to Embodiment practice of the Four Step Process.
Transmuting Realms in Everyday Life
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Correlating the Six Realms to the Five Buddha Families Mandala and learning to lean into extreme emotions with curiosity and Maitri (loving - kindness)
Continuity Groups, Readings and Study, Karuna Circle Online
Monthly Continuity Group meetings; Readings and study questions; study buddy from cohort; Karuna Online Circle for discussion on private cohort channel.
Karuna 1:3 Compassionate Exchange
Each course is held on the 3rd Saturday of the month in 3-hour intervals: 9-12 PT, 10-1 MT, 11-2 CT, 12-3 ET.
Embodied Compassion through Exchange
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Maitri and Tonglen Practice Introduction and teachings on the Four Immeasurables. Instruction and practice rousing one's awakened heart: bodhicitta.
Exchange in Everyday Life Saturday, November 15, 2025
Introduction to Compassionate Exchange and Tonglen, Taking and Sending practice; the primary practice of Karuna Training. Compassionate Exchange is a contemplative practice that occurs as a form of sacred communication.
The Four Bones in Space
Saturday, December 20, 2026
Saturday, December 20, 2026
The Four Bones of Compassionate Exchange are articulated; Welcoming, Discernment, Mutual Agreement, and Transition.
Shine the Jewel and Final Class of Phase 1
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Introduction to Shining the Jewel, an extension of Compassionate Exchange. Shining the Jewel hones the skill of seeing and cultivating the brilliant sanity of others through thoughtful, loving feedback .
Karuna Training Phase 2:
May 23rd 2025 - May 21st 2027
Karuna 2:1 Maitri & Compassionate Exchange
During the 2nd Residential Retreat, Maitri Space Awareness (MSA) is introduced and practiced along with Compassionate Exchange.
Saturday May 23 - Friday, May 29, 2026
Saturday May 23 - Friday, May 29, 2026
Compassionate Exchange
Practice Compassionate Exchange and Shining the Jewel in small groups with rotating instructors.
Maitri Space Awareness
Maitri Space Awareness practice with colored glasses and Aimless Wandering two times a day.
Process Groups
Process Groups, a more direct method of Speaking from the Heart, are introduced at this retreat to deepen cohort relationships.
Community and Social Awareness
Social justice issues in relationship to the Five Buddha Families are discussed to integrate compassionate awareness of that which is "othered".
Karuna 2:2 Maitri in Everyday Life
Seven 2-hour sessions every other week on Saturday: 9 - 11 PT, 10 - 12 MT, 11 - 1 CT, 12 Noon - 2 ET
June 6, 2026: Introduction to Maitri Space Awareness at home
June 20, 2026: Buddha: Embodiment in Everday Life
July 11, 2026: Padma: Speech in Everday Life
July 25, 2026: Vajra: Mind in Everday Life
August 8, 2026: Ratna: Quality of Everyday life
August 22, 2026: Karma: Action in Everday LIfe
September 5, 2026: Mandala Integration through Offerings
Cohort Support on Circle Readings and weekly assignments and reflections are encouraged on Karuna's community platform built on Circle.
June 20, 2026: Buddha: Embodiment in Everday Life
July 11, 2026: Padma: Speech in Everday Life
July 25, 2026: Vajra: Mind in Everday Life
August 8, 2026: Ratna: Quality of Everyday life
August 22, 2026: Karma: Action in Everday LIfe
September 5, 2026: Mandala Integration through Offerings
Cohort Support on Circle Readings and weekly assignments and reflections are encouraged on Karuna's community platform built on Circle.
Karuna 2:3 Karuna Compassionate Exchange Projects
Karuna Community Project
September 2026 - May 2027
September 2026 - May 2027
Participants work independently with their mentors on offering compassionate exchange within their community or other means of bringing compassion into one's life.
Mentoring
25-hour Compassionate Exchange project and practice working with others contemplatively, documentation and creative reflection on experience and learning independently driven by the participant.
Karuna 2:4 Entering the Bardo in Everyday Life
Seven 2-hour monthly sessions on Saturdays: 9 - 11 PT, 10 - 12 MT, 11 - 1, CT, 12 - 2 ET
October 17, 2026: Discovering Space through Transition: An Introduction to the Tibetan Bardos.
November 21, 2026: Preparing for Death in Everyday Life.
December 19, 2026: Illusory Clues: the Bardo of Dreams
January 16, 2027: Cultivate the Stability of Mind: the Bardo of Meditation
February 20, 2027: Letting Go with Grace: The Bardo Before Death
March 20, 2027: Remembering What Matters at the Moment of Death:The Bardo of Dharmata
April 17, 2027: Cutting Through Projections: the Bardo of Becoming
November 21, 2026: Preparing for Death in Everyday Life.
December 19, 2026: Illusory Clues: the Bardo of Dreams
January 16, 2027: Cultivate the Stability of Mind: the Bardo of Meditation
February 20, 2027: Letting Go with Grace: The Bardo Before Death
March 20, 2027: Remembering What Matters at the Moment of Death:The Bardo of Dharmata
April 17, 2027: Cutting Through Projections: the Bardo of Becoming
Karuna 2:5 Maitri Celebration Graduation Residential Retreat
May 16 - 21, 2027 at Ari Bhöd Retreat Center
Participant Offerings
Participants come prepared to present a final offering of their Karuna journey and experience during their projects of compassionate exchange in the world. Each person is appreciated for the brilliant sanity they possess.
Maitri Space Awareness Practice
The intensification of Maitri Space Awareness, again revisiting the Five Buddha Families Mandala as we dissolve our cohort, heightens our awareness of our interconnectedness. The program is tender with genuine love and transmutation of confusion into wisdom.
All Course Details & Dates
Use a time converter here| Program | Place & Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| BASIC TRAINING PHASE 1 | ||
| Karuna 1.1 Foundations in Contemplative Psychology | Residential Retreat Ari Bhöd, Tehachapi, CA | Saturday, May 31 to Friday, June 6, 2025 |
| Karuna 1.2 Abhidharma in Everyday Life | Online, Every 3rd Saturday: 3 hrs. 10 AM - 1 PM, MT | Saturday, July 19, 2025 Saturday, August 16, 2025 Saturday, September 20, 2025 |
| Karuna 1.3 Compassionate Exchange | Online, Every 3rd Saturday: 3 hrs. 10 AM - 1 PM, MT | Saturday, October 18, 2025 Saturday, November 15, 2025 Saturday, December 20, 2025 Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| BASIC TRAINING PHASE 2 | ||
| Karuna 2.1 Maitri and Compassionate Exchange | Residential Retreat Ari Bhöd, Tehachapi, CA | Saturday, May 23 - Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Karuna 2.2 Maitri in Everyday Life | Online, Seven, 3-hour sessions: every other week, 10 AM - 1 PM MT | Saturday, June 6, 2026 Saturday, June 20, 2026 Saturday, July 11, 2026 Saturday, July 25, 2026 Saturday, August 8, 2026 Saturday, August 22, 2026 Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
| Karuna 2.3 Compassionate Exchange Project | Online: Dates and Time TBD by Continuity Groups and Mentor | Ongoing monthly meetings for 1.5 hours and 3 hours of individual mentoring - dates and times TBD by participant and mentor |
| Karuna 2.4 Entering the Bardos in Everyday Life | Online, Eight, 3-hr sessions Every 3rd Saturday: 10 AM - 1 PM MT | Saturday, October 17, 2026 Saturday, November 21, 2026 Saturday, December 19, 2026 Saturday, January 16, 2027 Saturday, February 20, 2027 Saturday, March 20, 2027 Saturday, April 17, 2027 |
| Karuna 2.5 Maitri Celebration | Residential Retreat Ari Bhöd, Tehachapi, CA | May 15 - 21, 2027 |
Phase One:
56 hours of In-Person Retreat
32 hours of Online Training
33 CE’s through CAMFT
Phase Two:
112 hours of In-Person Retreat
78 hours of Online Training
62 CE’s through CAMFT
Cost:
Phase 1: $2,500
Phase2: $4,500
If phase 1 and phase 2 are opted into together the cost is $6,500.00
Costs for Ari Bhöd Retreats are additional:
Price for room and board for six nights and two half days:
Camping $600.00
bring your own tent.
Glamping $675.00 if you use an Ari Bhöd tent (stand-up tent, foam mattress, bath house)
Dormitory $750.00 shared units, bathhouse.
Single rooms. $900.00 single room in Sangha House with shared bath.
*Ari Bhöd prices will rise slightly over each retreat to cover costs of food.
Karuna Training offers monthly payment plans without interest; however we do not offer the completion certificate until participant have fully paid.
Some scholarships are availabe on a needs basis.
Continuing Education Units are available for an additional cost of $50 for Phase 1; $100 for phase 2. Please register license number at registration.
Each applicant must go through a personal interview with Karuna faculty before being fully admitted into the program.
Karuna Training is an inclusive training. When we meet in-person, we honor the land and the people from whom it was taken and we honor the differences we each bring into community.
We seek kind and skillful ways to address our unconscious biases and work toward a more compassionate exchange with not-knowing those whom we perceive as different.
Apply To Do The Basic TrainingWe seek kind and skillful ways to address our unconscious biases and work toward a more compassionate exchange with not-knowing those whom we perceive as different.