Karuna Training Basic Cycle Information and Schedule*
Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 2019-2021
PHASES 1-3: April 2019 – April 2021. The training includes ten seminars, three of which are week-long retreats, and a project with mentor and peer support. The seminars are scheduled roughly every other month.
FACULTY: Melissa Moore, Sandra Ladley, Susan Chapman, Yeshe Clarke, Tim Walker, (Assistants: Miriam Hall and Naoko Kojima)
AUDIENCE: Everyone interested in a transformative journey that provides evidence-based, time-tested skills rooted in meditative awareness, compassion & deep listening, and the inherent wisdom in emotions.
309 TOTAL TRAINING HOURS: Phase 1 Personal Process: 122 hours; Phase 2 Compassionate Exchange – Working Skillfully with Others: 96 hours; Phase 3 Engaged Compassion Project with Mentoring: 91 hours.
COST: The reduced cost for the two-year Karuna Training program is projected to be $8,500. There will be a discount offered for paying in full before the start of the program, bringing the estimated total to $7,900. Alternatively, students may pay at the beginning of each phase, or make monthly payments. There will be additional costs for food and for the two week-long residential retreats, usually between $75-$175/night lodging (depending on the accommodations you choose)
CEUs: Karuna Training is a licensed Continuing Education (CEU) Provider through the CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.) Most states accept California CEU credits.
TUITION ASSISTANCE: Some tuition assistance is available upon request and need. Karuna Training aspires to make it possible for those with a strong desire to do the Training, please email connect@karunatraining.com to inquire.
COHORT CAPACITY AND ATTENDANCE: Karuna Training occurs in an ongoing cohort and the class size is limited to 30 students. Students may not enter the cohort after Seminar 2. We expect you to commit to attending all the seminars—to receive certification, a student may not miss more than two seminars.
APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION: You must apply for Karuna Training and be individually interviewed before being accepted into the program. The simple application process is described here. You may apply any time, and Karuna will begin interviews for the Baltimore cycle on January 14. If you have questions, please go to the website or contact Karuna Training at connect@karunatraining.com
PHASE 1: Personal Process
| Training | Days | Location | Teachers (Faculty) | Dates | Times |
| Seminar 1 Confidence in Basic Sanity |
4 Day Weekend 1 evening and 3 days 26 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Sandra Ladley, Yeshe Clarke (Miriam & Naoko) | April 11 – 14, 2019 | Thursday 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Seminar 2 Ego from the Perspective of Contemplative Psychology |
Weekend 18 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Melissa Moore (Miriam & Naoko) | July 26 – 28, 2019 |
Friday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Seminar 3 Working with Emotions |
Weekend 18 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Sandra Ladley, Yeshe Clarke (Miriam & Naoko) | October 25 – 27, 2019 |
Friday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Seminar 4 Exploration of Energy in Contemplative Psychology |
Deepening Week Residential Retreat 7 days and 6 nights 48 hours |
Pearlstone Retreat Center | Melissa Moore, Yeshe Clarke (Miriam & Naoko) | January 31 – February 6, 2020 |
Friday arrival 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| 12 hours of Continuity Groups (arranged regionally) | 12 hours | TBD | |||
| Total Training Hours Phase 1 |
122 Hours |
PHASE 2: Compassionate Exchange – Working Skillfully with Others
| Training | Days | Location | Teachers (Faculty) |
Dates | Times |
| Seminar 5 Development of Compassionate Presence |
Weekend 18 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Susan Chapman (Miriam & Naoko) | April 24-26, 2020 |
Friday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Seminar 6 Exploration of Energy in Communication |
Deepening Week Non-Residential Retreat 7 days and 6 nights 48 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Sandra Ladley, Tim Walker (Miriam & Naoko) |
August 1-7, 2020 |
Friday arrival 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Seminar 7 Compassionate Presence 2 |
Weekend 18 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Melissa Moore, Yeshe Clarke (Miriam & Naoko) | October 23 – 25, 2020 |
Friday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| 12 hours of Continuity Groups (arranged regionally) | 12 hours | TBD | |||
| Total Training Hours Phase 2 |
96 Hours |
Phase 3: Engaged Compassion Project with Mentoring
| Training | Days | Location | Teachers (Faculty) |
Dates | Times |
| Seminar 8 Exploration of Energy in Working with Others |
Deepening Week* Residential Retreat 7 days, 6 nights 48 hours |
Pearlstone Retreat Center |
Melissa Moore, Tim Walker (Miriam & Naoko) |
February 19 – 25, 2021 | Friday arrival 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Thursday departure after lunch |
| Seminar 9 Project with Supervision |
One Day 8 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | Sandra Ladley (Miriam & Naoko) | March 27, 2021 |
Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM |
| Karuna Project Practicum | 5 hours | Working with someone as a compassionate friend | On Own Time | ||
| Individual Supervision | 4 hours | ||||
| Seminar 10 Graduation and Certification |
4 Day Weekend 1 evening and 3 days 26 hours |
Baltimore Shambhala Meditation Center | All Faculty | April 22 – 26, 2021 |
Thursday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Total Training Hours Phase 3 |
91 Hours | ||||
| Total Training Hours |
309 Hours |