DHS204 Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Tuesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM
(September 2-23)

Mindfulness wakes us up to the true nature of existence. In this course we steadily contemplate the body, feelings, mind, and the outer world, establishing a basis for the growth of wisdom. We follow a path that has reliably led to realization for over two millennia.

Cost: $68. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Jack Petranker.
Prerequisite: Completion of  DHS203 or consent of the instructors. To apply for consent call (510) 809-1000 or email the Registrar at Nyingma-Institute@Nyingma.org

DHS211 Buddhist Studies Tutorial: Exchanging Self for Others
Tuesdays, 8 - 9:30 PM
(September 2-23)

The radical notion that one’s own benefit depends wholly on benefiting others was expressed eloquently in the seventh century by the great Buddhist master Shantideva. We will study classic teachings from Shantideva’s Introduction to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicharyavatara) and work with mind training practices that bring these liberating teachings to life.

Cost: $68. Instructor: Barr Rosenberg. 
Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings.

MED105 Meditation for Healing
Morning Session: Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 AM (September 3-24)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 6:15 - 7:45 PM (September 4-25)

Many health benefits come from regular meditation practice. This course focuses on meditation practices that stimulate natural healing.

Cost: $68. Instructor: Robin Caton (mornings); Jared Baird (evenings).
For beginners and those wishing to review basic techniques.

MED205 Knowing Mind Differently
Thursdays, 8 - 9:30 PM
(September 4-25)

Meditation opens up the field of philosophical inquiry, revealing new facets and dimensions of mind and consciousness. In this experiential philosophy course, ideas presented by great European and Tibetan philosophers are investigated in the light of meditation practice.

Cost: $68. Instructors: Hugh Joswick and Santosh Philip. This course is meant as an introduction to the ways in which precise cognitive and profound experiential knowledge go hand in hand.
Prerequisite: At least one year of meditation experience.

MED305 Advanced Meditation: Waking the Inner Teacher
Mondays, 6:15 - 7:45 PM
(September 1-22)

Within us each of us lies the power to heal our spiritual hunger and pain. Guided by the warmth of compassion and the relaxation of complete openness, deep meditation reveals the treasures within our mind. We awaken to an unending source of nourishment and ease.

Cost: $68. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Openness Mind. Prerequisite: three years of meditation experience and consent of the instructor.

NPS107 Transforming Fear
Mondays, 8-9:30 PM
(September 1-22)

When we study fear calmly, we make a remarkable discovery: fear is a creation of our minds. Tarthang Tulku, Openness Mind.

Fear shadows the best moments of our lives: fear of loss, fear of change, fear of not being worthy. Even when we understand and accept the reasons for fear, the feeling of fear may grip us tightly. We learn to loosen fear’s hold through contemplating how fear manifests within the body, breath, and mind.

Cost: $68. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Nyingma Psychology teachings, this course is suitable for anyone willing to sensitively engage the mind through meditative analysis. It is not suitable for those feeling overwhelmed or paralyzed by fear.

KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye
Sundays, 10 AM - Noon (every Sunday)

Re-awaken a spirit of ease and appreciation through gentle Tibetan yoga practices that relax body, breath, and mind. A range of Kum Nye movement, massage, and breathing exercises is given in each session.
This drop-in class is for all levels of students.

Cost: $10 per session.
Instructors: Jack van der Meulen, Santosh Philip, and the Kum Nye staff.

KNR103 Beginning Kum Nye: Releasing Tension and Restoring Balance
Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7:45 PM (June 11 - August 13)
Kum Nye movement and awareness exercises help release physical and emotional tension. Practices in this course will focus on giving students tools to restore balance to their lives and deepen their spiritual awareness.
Cost: $170.
Instructor: Jack van der Meulen.

KNR203 Intermediate Kum Nye: Stimulating Inner Energy
Mondays, 8 - 9:30 PM (June 9 - August 11)
When inner energy is flowing smoothly, there is health and vitality. This course works with exercises that stimulate the free flow of inner energy.
Prerequisite: one year of Kum Nye practice. For intermediate and advanced students.
Cost: $170.
Instructor: Donna Morton

KNR106 Kum Nye Self-Massage: Healing Power of Touch
Fridays, 8-9:30 PM
(September 5-26)

An introduction to self-massage. Students will learn how to sensitize the hands to feeling and how to use apply the slow, flowing strokes of Kum Nye massage to face, hands, and feet.

Cost: $68. Instructor: Santosh Philip. Open to all levels of students.

DHS205 Compassion in Action
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM
(September 30-December 4)

What does it mean to live a life dedicated to compassion and wisdom? We look to the ways of life that the Buddha established and read biographies of great masters, men and women from India and Tibet. We also continue to cultivate our own inner capabilities for compassionate wisdom and deepen our knowledge of cause and effect. Taking steps in the direction of the path, our entire orientation begins to shift from being centered on our own benefit to being centered on the benefit of others.

Cost: $323. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen, Jack Petranker, and Bob Byrne. Students are encouraged to attend the three-day retreat, “Finding Compassionate Love” on November 28-30. Prerequisite: DHS204 or consent of the instructors. No class November 27, Thanksgiving Day.

DHS211 Buddhist Studies Tutorial: Sustaining Bodhicitta
Tuesdays, 8-9:30 PM
(September 30-December 2)

We study the perfections of giving, ethical discipline, and patience in Shantideva’s Introduction to the Bodhisattva Way (Bodhicharyavatara).

Cost: $170. Includes the “Melting Emotional Responses in Compassionate Knowledge,” workshop on November 15. Instructor: Barr Rosenberg. Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings.

DHS103 Spiritual Masters of Tibet and India: The Teachings of Vimalakirti
Mondays, 8-9:30 PM
(September 29-December 1)


Vimalakirti lived as a layman at the time of the Buddha, following the ways of the world but practicing inwardly as the highest realization. His teachings recount the marvelous (and sometimes amusing) ways that he instructs some of the chief disciples of the Buddha. This course will emphasize bringing these teachings to life.

Cost: $170. Instructor: Bob Byrne. Based on The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti.

MED101 Beginning Meditation: Quieting the Mind
Morning Session: Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30 AM (September 30-December 2)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (October 2-December4)

Learning to meditate is one of the best ways in which we can take care of ourselves. We develop the clarity of our minds and cultivate inner tranquility. This course presents key meditation techniques that also help balance the emotions. The focus is on quieting the stream of thoughts.

Cost: $170 (mornings); $153 (evenings). Instructors: Robin Caton (mornings); Jared Baird and Olivia Hurd (evenings). For beginners and those wishing to review basic techniques. No class November 27, Thanksgiving Day.

MED201 Intermediate Meditation: Sustaining Meditation
Morning Session: Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM (October 1-December 3)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 8:00-9:30 PM (October 2-December 4)

This class is for students with at least one year of meditation practice who are ready for further guidance and inspiration. The goal is to sustain effortless meditative concentration.

Cost: $170 (mornings); $153 (evenings). Instructors: Jack Petranker (mornings); Hugh Joswick (evenings). Prerequisite: one year of meditation experience. No class November 27, Thanksgiving Day.

MED301 Advanced Meditation: Deep Mind, Silent Mind
Mondays, 6:15-7:45 PM
(September 29-December 1)

As meditation deepens, we begin to sense even deeper, more primary currents within mind. In this course, we cultivate levels of consciousness that are characterized by a sense of spaciousness, silence, and peace. This Fall course begins a three-quarter advanced meditation program, Mastery of Mind. The Winter course, “Light of Awareness,” explores consciousness itself and the Spring course, “Compassionate Heart,” is designed to awaken the positive and creative dimensions of mind.

Cost: $79 per month, which includes the workshop “Nectar for Refining the Mind” on December 13. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Prerequisite: three years of meditation experience and consent of the instructor.

NPS106 Nyingma Gateway: Love of Knowledge
Tuesdays, 2-3:30 PM
(September 30-December 2)

This course was designed by Tarthang Tulku to introduce a new way of understanding love and knowledge. Unique meditation, movement, and awareness practices blend with lecture and discussion, becoming a gateway to understanding the Tibetan Nyingma approach to life.

Cost: $170. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen, Jack Petranker, and Bob Byrne.

NPS103 Working with Emotions
Mondays, 8-9:30 PM
(September 29-December 1)

Our emotions show us where to direct our attention: rather than obscuring the path, they can clarify and sharpen it. Tarthang Tulku, Openness Mind.

Emotions can be binding and painful, but they can also be great teachers. This course teaches meditation exercises for working with emotions in daily life. Learn to use mindfulness to appreciate the transient nature of emotions, to be freed from the tendency to cling to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Learn how to transform negative emotional energy.  

Cost: $170. Instructor: Erika Rosenberg. No previous experience with meditation is required.

NPR102 Devotional Chanting with Sacred Art
Wednesdays, 8-9:30 PM
(October 1-December 3)

Chanting Buddhist prayers calms and opens the mind to deeper dimensions of consciousness and meaning. This course combines chanting with viewing the powerful images found in Tibetan art and discussing their symbolic meaning. Students will be introduced to important prayers and images.

Cost: $170. Instructors: Rosalyn White and Mark Henderson. Open to all students.

KNR105 Beginning Kum Nye Expanding Enjoyment and Ease
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM
(October 1-December 3)

A series of Kum Nye practices that help to reduce physical and mental tension are combined with practices that expand the enjoyment of each of the senses.
 
Cost: $170. Instructor: Jack van der Meulen. Open to all students.

KNR205 Intermediate Kum Nye: Transforming Inner Energy
Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (October 2- December 4)
Intermediate practices for this quarter activate and balance inner energy, harmonizing body, mind, and environment, leading to greater mental and physical vitality.

Cost: $170. Instructor: Donna Morton. Prerequisite: one year of Kum Nye practice.

KNR301 Advanced Kum Nye
Tuesdays, 8-9:30 PM (September 30-December 2)
Advanced Kum Nye movement, breath, and visualization practices from Tarthang Tulku’s Joy of Being form the core of this class.

Cost: $170. Instructor: Santosh Philip. Prerequisite: two years of Kum Nye practice.

KNR106 Kum Nye Self-Massage
Fridays, 8-9:30 PM
(November 7-December 5)

A five-week  “hands-on” class in Kum Nye self-massage. Students will be led through slow massage routines that promote relaxation and deepen their sense of physical presence.

Cost: $85. Instructor: Santosh Philip and the Kum Nye teaching staff. Open to all students.

TSK101 Experiencing the Dynamic of Time
Tuesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (September 30-December 2)

At the edge of the future, time sparkles; in the richness of feeling and energy, time glows. Practices focus on finding these places and allowing them to expand and deepen. Students discover time coursing through the body and mind: a dimension wholly inseparable from their own being.

Cost: $170. Instructors: Ken McKeon and Tom Morse. Based on the Time, Space, and Knowledge vision. Open to all students.

Skillful Means

SKM103 Skillful Means
Mondays, 6:15-7:45 PM (September 29-December 1)

The Skillful Means approach to work and human development has proven successful in the thirty-five years it has been applied in the Western world. This class highlights the methodology of working with Skillful Means.

Cost: $170. Instructor: Tom Mead. Based on Skillful Means. Open to all students.