Our History

Casa Werma’s story begins in 1980 when Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, renowned Tibetan meditation master, author, and founder of the Shambhala tradition, was invited by his students Richard and Diana Randolph to their family home in Pátzcuaro. Captivated by the dralas of this land, he composed the Roar of Werma sadhana here, consecrating it as a sacred place for practice and pilgrimage.

Under the guidance of the Randolphs and former land center directors, the estate evolved into a vibrant meditation and community center. The lush gardens, which existed when Rinpoche visited, have been carefully tended for decades and continue to flourish alongside thoughtfully designed communal spaces and guest accommodations that honor the integrity of the land.

In late 2023, the Casa Werma Foundation was established as an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving Rinpoche’s legacy and supporting programs in mindfulness, the arts, and community engagement. While we are now fully independent, we continue to collaborate with Shambhala Global Services to offer Shambhala teachings. Today, Casa Werma is open to all Buddhist lineages, and we welcome visitors from around the world alongside our neighbors in Pátzcuaro—carrying forward a legacy of practice, inclusion, and deep connection to this land.