Nitartha Institute

Western Washington University provides an intimate and beautiful setting for the Institute, and is an ideal environment for the contemplative and focused nature of the program.

The campus is located in Bellingham, WA, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Seattle (depending on traffic). Bellingham is located close to the ocean, mountains and many beautiful forests. Summers in Bellingham are warm and pleasant.

Room & Board

Most Summer Institute participants will stay in Highland Hall at WWU. Each residence room is configured with two single beds, two chairs, and desks with built-in lamps. There are also built-in closets and drawers in the changing area. A single bathroom is located between two rooms. You can choose single or double occupancy. For more information, click here.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the Viking Commons dining hall, which is located down the hill from Highland Hall. The university cafeteria offers a wide range of food choices that accommodate most diets, including vegetarian, vegan, and wheat-free. For more information, click here.

Living at Nitartha Institute

A day at the Institute starts with mind-body training exercises (lujong) at 7:00 AM, followed by breakfast at 7:30 AM. It continues into the evening with classes, teachings by the Acharyas and Western teachers, study periods, discussion and debate groups, and analytical meditation practice.

Mealtimes provide particularly animated opportunities for questions, comments, and observations between participants about the day's teaching and practice.

During the day, there is time set aside for study or personal use. There is one day off per week. Because Nitartha is a residential program, there are also plentiful informal opportunities to question and relate to the principal teachers before and after classes, during breaks, and through serving and attending.