The Dzogchen Tradition
Join Lama and Dzogchen scholar, Pema Khandro, in this three day immersion in Longchenpa’s instructions for holding on to the nature of mind.
A time to contemplate expansive peace and innermost presence, this retreat will focus on cultivating deep rest through advanced relaxation practice and study of Dzogchen teachings and meditation. This is an opportunity to connect with the beautiful poetry of esoteric Buddhism at its best through vantage point of Longchenpa, the great fourteenth century Dzogchen master.
This is meditation in its esoteric form taught in the Tibetan tradition as a method to find the uncontrived state of natural innate wisdom. Pema Khandro will teach from the 27 Practices for training for Dzogchen meditation from the sems nyid ngal gso, Longchenpa’s instructions from The Trilogy of Finding Comfort and Ease.
The retreat will focus on instructions that lay out the path from its foundations to the experience of deep contemplative awareness and experience beyond grasping. It includes guidance on the stages of meditation and the ways to unravel and find rest in the nature of mind. This is a path of encountering innate wisdom through letting go in its sweetest sense, the letting go of effort and tension to rediscover an uncontrived presence.
About the Teacher
Pema Khandro, PhD
Pema Khandro is an internationally renowned teacher and scholar of Buddhist philosophy. She is the founder of Ngakpa International and its three projects, The Buddhist Studies Institute, Dakini Mountain and the Yogic Medicine Institute. In her work as a Buddhist teacher she is an authorized Lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and was enthroned to carry on the lineage of her predecessor, the first Pema Khandro, an early twentieth century yogini from Eastern Tibet. She has led a vibrant world-wide community since 1999. Through the Buddhist Studies Institute, she also offers a complete curriculum of training in Tibetan meditation and Buddhist Philosophy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree specializing in Tibetan studies, and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Virginia. Her scholarly research focuses on the history of Dzogchen and on Women in Tibetan Buddhism.
Retreat Format
Lodging
Please book your lodging in nearby Encinitas, or anywhere else nearby
Address
Venue: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito (we are not affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Church)
1036 Solana Drive, Solana Beach CA 92075
Meals
There will be a break for lunch. There are several restaurants nearby, or people may elect to bring their own lunch (though refrigeration will not be available).
Clothing
Please bring clothing layers and plan for both cold and heat. You will need clothes you feel comfortable moving in and sitting in for meditation sessions. On Sunday at the beach, everyone will dress up in beautiful clothing for the Tsok feast.
Retreat Schedule
Approximate Retreat Schedule – Times listed are Pacific Time (PST)
Thursday
10am-6:00pm
Friday
10am-6:00pm
Saturday
10am-6:00pm
Sunday
Community day at beach, and Tsok!
Registration
Financial Aid Considerations All course costs are set at a minimum fee already, with financial aid built into all tuition rates. Because we are a non-profit organization, the costs of all activities and overhead of our organization must be covered by the participants of the courses or donations and all courses are offered at below cost. For those who are experiencing genuine financial hardship and wish to enroll in the course, Scholarship applications are available. Applications must be received in advance. Programs are always free for monastics.
Financial Aid Application: https://forms.gle/xwYaTamt2autMLKa9
Monastic Scholarship Application: https://forms.gle/yudBajX8wXXXsB2FA