Awakening Innate Wisdom:
The Twenty-One Dzogchen Meditations
Online and in San Diego with Tulku Pema Khandro
August 6th-10th, 2025
This retreat provides a rare opportunity to receive authentic guidance in these essential Dzogchen methods within a supportive environment conducive to deep practice. Through direct instruction, guided sessions, and periods of integration, participants will learn how these seemingly simple yet profound techniques can cut through ordinary conceptual mind to reveal what has been present from the beginning – one’s own intrinsic wisdom. Join us to explore how the Semdzins—practices not of concentration or fabrication, but of discovery—can open doors to experiencing the natural perfection that is our primordial condition, with practical applications that extend far beyond formal meditation into everyday life.
The goal of Dzogchen meditation is to discover our timeless awareness – rigpa – beyond all limitations. Some people discover the natural state more easily through body, others through energy, others through direct mind practices. This is why we have twenty-one methods, not just one.
During this immersive retreat, participants will explore these precise methods—historically transmitted through an unbroken lineage from Garab Dorje to the present day—that serve as gateways to recognizing rigpa, our inherent awareness beyond conceptual elaboration. Whether you’re drawn to practices involving body, energy, or direct mind contemplation, these diverse approaches offer multiple pathways to the same timeless recognition. Come discover the transformative power of the twenty-one semdzins, ancient Dzogchen practices designed to directly introduce practitioners to their natural state of mind.
Spiritual Community
Experience the profound journey of Dzogchen’s twenty-one Semdzins within the powerful container of spiritual community. These ancient “mind-holding” practices—direct methods for recognizing our primordial awareness—flourish when undertaken collectively, where the shared intention and energy of practitioners creates an amplified field that supports each individual’s discovery. In this unique retreat, we honor the traditional understanding that genuine realization is not a solitary achievement but ripens most effectively when cultivated alongside fellow travelers on the path.
Our retreat community becomes a living mandala of practice, where the combined presence and dedication of all participants creates ideal conditions for these transformative methods to take root. Through guided instruction, partner exercises, small group explorations, and collective practice sessions, we’ll discover how these direct approaches to recognizing rigpa deepen through authentic human connection. The traditional Semdzin practices—working with body, energy, and mind—reveal their full potency when experienced within a field of mutual support and shared commitment. Join us to discover how the ancient wisdom of Dzogchen combined with the strength of spiritual community can illuminate your direct experience of natural mind, creating lasting connections that continue to support your practice long after the retreat concludes.
Lineage Holder and Teacher
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.
In-Person Logistics
Meals
Meals are not included in the price of tuition. However, they are mandatory for residential participation. Meals will be catered, organic whenever possible, mostly vegetarian and vegan with gluten-free, dairy-free options and sugar-free options. Meals will cost approximately $14-19 per meal for 12 meals. Payment for meals will be collected upon check-in at the retreat.
Clothing
Please bring clothing layers and plan for both cold and heat. San Diego weather is unpredictable but should be warm. You will need clothes you feel comfortable moving in and sitting in for meditation sessions. On Saturday night, everyone dresses up in their beautiful clothing for the Tsok feast! There is also a jacuzzi and heated pool so please bring a suit and towel to enjoy a swim!
Seva
Those staying residential will each take a seva (volunteer help) position throughout the retreat to maintain a clean and serene group retreat environment. Seva sign-up will take place at check-in.
Lodging
Lodging includes 5 nights (Wednesday-Monday)
Lodging is limited. Remaining availability are listed below. Please list your top three choices on the registration page where prompted and we will do our best to accommodate you. If signing up with another person for a shared bed, please also list the name of the person you are sharing a bed with. We will send a separate invoice for lodging post-registration.
| Lodging | Type | Total | Shared Total |
