Residency at the Lama Foundation, p.2

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In the autumn meetings, the circle creates the winter schedule and distributes work responsibilities. Importantly, all membership and work-related decisions are consensus-style which demands time, energy and group communication. This is one of the main group practices at Lama Foundation. If each resident is committed to setting aside their “personal agendas” in favor of the greatest good for the whole group, then Lama’s infamous stack of meetings can potentially build a group energetic where each member feels a depth, a trust, an intimacy like they are “married” to each other member of the resident circle. Lama magic!

Lama Foundation provides each resident with numerous methods of support. There is room and board, a small monthly living-expenditure stipend (which increases each consecutive year of residency), medical stipend, as well as a spiritual practice stipend from the second year of residency. (Lama Foundation lifetime tuition payments may be deferred or minimalized so that money is not a barrier to anyone seeking residency.) There is also a series of intensive retreats where each winter circle invites teachers of their choice to give private retreats for the residents. These can be a major highlight of the winter experience.

Nevertheless, Lama’s rustic location and facilities require that one have good physical health, can live at a high altitude, can live with snow on the ground for 5 months straight and be comfortable with below zero degree nights, can live economically with their monthly stipend, and can agree to a full year of service to Lama Foundation. The personal rewards for this can be extraordinary. Please bring any questions or concerns about “residency” to any current resident.

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