How to Develop Spiritual Protection: Guided Post-Fall Festival Retreat

Spiritual practitioners understand that the way to make ourself happy all the time is by learning to develop and maintain a peaceful mind, through practicing Dharma - Buddha’s teachings. But our Dharma practice is very delicate. Although we want to practice Dharma, our efforts are often thwarted by significant inner and outer obstacles; and even when we do practice, and we develop some special experiences of Dharma, these experiences are easily lost and quickly forgotten within the turbulence and busyness of daily life. 

All of this can be overcome through relying on the glorious Dharma protector Duldzin Dorje Shugden, the special Dharma protector of the New Kadampa Tradition, who protects the development of Dharma within the minds of spiritual practitioners, averts their obstacles to gaining spiritual realisations, and arranges all the necessary conditions for their spiritual practice. By relying on Dorje Shugden purely and with strong faith, we will be able to transform difficult situations into the spiritual path; open our wisdom eyes, so that we can always make the right decisions; and experience success in all our virtuous activities. 

On this retreat we will learn, practically, how to rely upon Dorje Shugden, based on the teachings given in the NKT Fall Festival, and thereby experience for ourself the remarkable benefits that come from this practice.

‘A Dharma Protector is an emanation of a Buddha or a Bodhisattva whose main functions are to avert the inner and outer obstacles that prevent practitioners from gaining spiritual realizations, and to arrange all the necessary conditions for their practice ... These Protectors have great power to protect Buddhadharma and its practitioners, but the extent to which we receive help from them depends upon our faith and conviction in them ... If we rely upon Dorje Shugden with unwavering faith he will care for us just like a father caring for his children.’ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Heart Jewel 

To learn more about Dorje Shugden see Heart Jewel by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. You can also read more about Dorje Shugden here.

About the teacher

Kadam John McBretney is the Resident Teacher of Heruka KMC and has been studying and practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 30 years. Known for his joyful and down-to-earth style, he has a rare ability to make even the deepest subjects clear and accessible, guiding students effortlessly to develop lasting inner peace and wisdom.