Tibetan Nyingma Institute Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World

Each course is an integral part of one of our seven Certificate Programs and we recommend that all those interested in attending courses register for one of these programs, each of which offers a focused educational opportunity to master an aspect of our curriculum. It is also possible to attend individual courses for which you meet the prerequisites as an auditor.

Following each course description is the name of the Certificate Program or Programs that the course is part of (in parentheses). Clicking on the Program name will take you to a full description of the Program.

Please note that the Nyingma Institute’s application for approval to operate has not yet been reviewed by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Buddhist Studies and Practices

DHS110 Taking Refuge as a Way of Life

Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (October 7—December 9)

What the Buddha realized centuries ago is within consciousness itself; there is nothing in his realization which belonged to him. The enlightened quality is always there, always accessible. Tarthang Tulku, Openness Mind.

Listening for the meaning of refuge in the midst of daily life encourages both our practice and our understanding of the path. This course will read and discuss both traditional and contemporary thoughts on refuge from the Nyingma Lineage so that our own expression may become more genuine.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Bob Byrne. Based on Openness Mind by Tarthang Tulku and The Words of My Perfect Teacher by Paltrul Rinpoche. Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings. No Class Thanksgiving Day.

DHS205 Compassion in Action

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (October 5—December 9)

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.

(Path of Liberation Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $360. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Jack Petranker. Students are encouraged to attend the three-day retreat, “Finding Compassionate Love” on November 26-28. Prerequisite: DHS204 or consent of the instructors. No class Thanksgiving Day.

DHS211 Buddhist Studies Tutorial: Entering the Bodhisattva Way

Tuesdays, 8—9:30 PM (October 5—December 7)

In this eleven-month program we will study Shantideva’s Introduction to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicharyavatara). Written 1,400 years ago, this text has inspired generations of practitioners, from beginning students to great masters. It offers clear and far-reaching guidance for a way of life that is both wise and compassionate.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program; Four-Month Human Development Training Retreat)

Cost: $180 (Fall course only); $220 (Fall course and Fall workshop); $790 (entire program). Instructor: Barr Rosenberg. Program includes one weekend workshop per quarter. The Fall workshop, Joyous Dedication on the Bodhisattva Path, is on November 20. Program will use readings from commentaries by Prajnakaramati and Kunzang Palden. Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings. Students may attend just the Fall Quarter.

Nyingma Meditation
The practice of Nyingma Meditation leads to serenity and insight. Courses provide instruction in meditation techniques and support for daily practice.

MED101 Beginning Meditation: Quieting the Mind

Morning Class: Tuesdays, 10-11:30 AM (October 5—December 7)
Evening Class: Thursdays, 8:00-9:30 PM (October 7—December 9)

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.

(Beginning Nyingma Meditation Program, Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) Program)

Cost: $180 (mornings); $162 (evenings). Instructor: Olivia Hurd. For beginners and those wishing to review basic techniques. No class Thanksgiving Day.

MED201 Intermediate Meditation: Sustaining Meditation

Morning Class: Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM (October 6—December 8)
Evening Class: Thursdays, 8-9:30 PM (October 7—December 9)

This course is for students who have begun a meditation practice and are ready for further guidance and inspiration. The goal is to sustain effortless meditative concentration.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program, Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $180 (mornings); $162 (evenings). Instructors: Jack Petranker (mornings); Hugh Joswick (evenings). Prerequisite: one year of meditation experience. No class Thanksgiving Day.

MED301 Advanced Meditation: Born and Unborn Beauty

Mondays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 4—December 6)

If we allow ourselves the leisure and pleasure of relaxing into beauty, the rich inner dimensions of the senses start to activate naturally. Sense consciousness begins to connect to the heart, and the distance between the seer and seen diminishes. Tarthang Tulku, Seeing the Beauty of Being.

Connecting to natural beauty deepens into a meditative embrace through an array of inner techniques. This course activates a process of appreciation that releases judgments, interpretations, and dialogues. Mind and senses arise with sparkling clarity and we enter into the miracle of unborn beauty. Creativity flows like nectar through every interaction.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program, Path and Practices of Liberation Program, Four-Month Human Development Training Retreat)

Cost: $180, which includes “Origin of Appearance” workshop on December 4. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Seeing the Beauty of Being and classic meditation texts. Prerequisite: three years of meditation experience and consent of the instructor.

Nyingma Psychology and Practices
Nyingma psychology and practices offer unique insight into the human situation and innovative ways to ease emotional discomfort.

NPS103 Working with Emotions*

Daytime Class: Thursdays, 1-2:30 PM (October 7—December 9)
Evening Class: Wednesdays, 8:00—9:30 PM (October 6—December 8)

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. Learning to use mindfulness to appreciate the transient nature of emotions can free us from the tendency to cling to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. We discover the key to transforming negative emotional energy.

(Nyingma Psychology Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program; Four-Month Human Development Training Retreat)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Robin Caton (daytime); Erika Rosenberg (evenings). No previous experience with meditation is required. No class Thanksgiving Day.

NPS106 Nyingma Gateway: Love of Knowledge

Mondays, 8—9:30 PM (October 4—December 6)

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.

(Nyingma Psychology Program; Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen, Robin Caton, and Bob Byrne.

NPR102 Devotional Chanting with Sacred Art

Mondays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 4—December 6)

Chanting Buddhist prayers opens the mind to new 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.

(Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Rosalyn White and Mark Henderson.

KOF101 Education for a New World: Alternatives to Dissatisfaction

Tuesdays, 8-9:30 PM (October 5—December 7)

We need to look closely at what we are doing and ask whether our actions are likely to bring us the satisfaction we seek. Are our attitudes and personal philosophies in harmony with what we really want? Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom.

Real alternatives to dissatisfaction can only arise when we challenge the views and attitudes that prevent us from enjoying our lives and benefiting others. In this course, we learn through experiential and cognitive means how we can educate ourselves and others in a way of knowing that makes life rich and imparts a deep sense of inner confidence.

(Nyingma Psychology Program; Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Tom Morse. Based on Knowledge of Freedom by Tarthang Tulku.

Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga)
The gentle movement, massage, and breathing practices of Kum Nye promote physical and emotional health as they bridge the gap between the material and the spiritual.

KNR105 Beginning Kum Nye: Expanding Enjoyment and Ease*

Wednesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 6—December 8)

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.

(Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) Program, Beginning Nyingma Meditation Program; Nyingma Psychology Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program; Four-Month Human Development Training Retreat)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Jack van der Meulen.

KNR205 Intermediate Kum Nye: Transforming Inner Energy

Wednesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 6—December 8)

Intermediate Kum Nye practices activate and balance inner energy, harmonizing body, mind and environment. Practice leads to greater mental and physical vitality.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Donna Morton. Prerequisite: one year of Kum Nye.

KNR301 Advanced Kum Nye: Surrendering to Calmness

Mondays, 8—9:30 PM (October 4—December 6)

There are stages to relaxation: Like soft petals opening, calm feelings can emerge and deepen, circulating widely through body and mind. Advanced Kum Nye practices cultivate a distinctive method for finding inner peace.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Santosh Philip. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Joy of Being. Prerequisite: two years of Kum Nye.

KNR106 Kum Nye Self-Massage

Fridays, 8—9:30 PM (November 12—December 10)

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.

(Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) Program; Four-Month Human Development Training Retreat)

Cost: $90. Instructors: Santosh Philip and the Kum Nye staff.

KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye

Sundays, 10 AM—Noon (every Sunday)

Renew 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.

(Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) Program)

Cost: $15 per session. Instructors: Jack van der Meulen, Santosh Philip, and the Kum Nye staff. This drop-in class is for all levels of students.

Skillful Means
We need a new philosophy of work based on greater human understanding, respect for ourselves and others, and an awareness of the qualities and skills which create peace in the world: communication, cooperation, responsibility. Tarthang Tulku, Skillful Means.

SKM103 Skillful Means

Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (October 6—December 8)

The Skillful Means approach to work integrates practical skills with positive attitudes. Work is transformed into a dynamic learning process that is not only pleasant and invigorating, but also gets the job done. This course teaches how to apply the Skillful Means approach to your work situation.

(Nyingma Psychology Program,  Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $162. Instructor: Dave Abercrombie.

Time, Space, and Knowledge

TSK102 Opening Space

Tuesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 5—December 7)

Space is primordially peaceful and open. Its openness accommodates all views and experiences without denying their unique contributions. In this course students work with Tarthang Tulku’s book Time, Space, and Knowledge to expand their experience of space and spaciousness.

(Nyingma Psychology Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Tom Morse and Ken McKeon.

Tibetan Language

TIB101 Beginning Tibetan, Level I

Thursdays, 8-9 PM (October 7—December 9)

The alphabet is introduced along with pronunciation, basic grammar, and vocabulary.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $162. Instructor: Mark Henderson. No class Thanksgiving Day.

TIB201 Intermediate Tibetan, Level I

Fridays, 6:15—7:45 PM (October 8—December 10)

Readings from the Buddha’s Sutras introduce students to works translated from Sanskrit to Tibetan.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Mark Henderson. Prerequisite: TIB101-105 or consent of the instructor.

TIB301 Tibetan Tutorial

Fridays, 4:30—5:45 PM (October 8—December 10)

Reading and translation of Tibetan texts.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Barr Rosenberg and Sylvia Gretchen. Prerequisite: consent of the instructors.

 *Courses or workshops marked with an asterisk meet the qualifications for continuing education credit for MFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider: Nyingma Institute #251