LATE FALL CLASSES

8 weeks: Monday, October 21 – Saturday, December 14, 2024

BUDDHIST STUDIES 

Majestic Aspirations (DHS211)

Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:30 PM, PT (October 22 – December 10, 2024)

Online and in person at the Nyingma Institute

 “Drawing on the power of compassion, a single individual can transform the whole universe.”

Tarthang Tulku, Path of Heroes.

We look at the power of Buddhist symbols to transform consciousness. Using the achievements of Tarthang Tulku’s Nyingma organizations as an example, we come to appreciate the scope and scale of Rinpoche’s aspirations and actions, including the challenges of forming a spiritual community in today’s world. The wish to free others from suffering can motivate us to overcome all obstacles to spiritual growth. For centuries Buddhist practitioners have expressed their wishes to aid all living beings through reciting a prayer of aspiration known as the “Sovereign Prayer for Enlightened Practice” (the Pranidhanaraja). We conclude our study of the path of liberation by focusing on the vast scope of compassionate aspiration in this text, opening to the possibility that it may inspire us for our journey through life. Readings will be provided. One workshop, “The

Power of Buddhist Symbols” is part of this class.

Instructors: Mark Henderson and Hugh Joswick. Cost: $144. Prerequisite: sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667368 

MEDITATION

Advanced Meditation: Meditations and Prayers for Rebirth in Sukhavati (MED330)

Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, PT (October 24  – December 12, 2024)

Online Only

Join us for an enriching 8-week meditation course focused on preparing for an auspicious departure from this realm and rebirth in Sukhavati, the blissful Buddha field of Amitabha. 

Sukhavati, also known as Dewachen in Tibetan, is a realm where sentient beings experience neither physical pain nor mental suffering, and the conditions for practice and realization are limitless. This course will guide you through the profound practices and prayers that cultivate the aspiration to be reborn in this pure land, a realm reverberating with awakening. 

Great masters across various Buddhist traditions have cultivated the practice of aspiring for rebirth in Sukhavati for centuries. It is regarded as a highly effective method for all levels of practitioners and a natural extension of the bodhisattva’s intention to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. 

The meditations will emphasize becoming familiar with the visualization of, and wholehearted surrender to, Buddha Amitabha. We will also present beneficial mantras and essential advice for practitioners as they approach death. 

The class will include a variety of instructions on how to connect with Buddha Amitabha, drawing upon the prayers of great masters such as Karma Chakmé, Jigme Lingpa, Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima, and Shabkar.

Instructors: Lama Palzang & Pema Gellek. Cost: $144. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667379 

All Levels Meditation Group: Practices for Relaxation and Healing

Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm (in person at Nyingma Institute): 11/04, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25

OR

Tuesdays 8:00 – 9:00 am (online via Zoom): 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26

In this meditation group, we will engage simple but effective practices for relaxation and healing, with rotating topics for contemplation and sharing each week. Each class will start with gentle movement, and ease into guided meditation followed by a period of silent sitting.

These practices can be helpful for accessing qualities of relaxation, healing, and balance. They can be part of a path of inner knowing and transformation.

Suitable for beginners and those at all levels seeking to reconnect and practice in a supportive group setting.

Instructor: Pauline Yu. Cost: $48. Learn more. 

Register for Monday PM in person: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/all-levels-meditation-group-practices-for-relaxation-healing-in-person/ 

Register for Tuesday AM online: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/all-levels-meditation-group-practices-for-relaxation-and-healing-online/ 

KUM NYE

Advanced Kum Nye: (KNR303) 

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, PT (October 22  – December 10, 2024) 

Online Only

“Rejecting nothing, accepting nothing, setting up nothing – these are the guidelines for relaxation that open wide the gateways to meditation” – Joy of Being p. 186

In this year-long series for experienced Kum Nye practitioners, we will approach each of the six perfections through Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga as embodied forms, feelings, and movements. 

The six perfections are the practices of a bodhisattva, one who has oriented their entire being to pure altruism and awakening. Last term we started an exploration of the paramita of Wisdom. This term, we will further develop this exploration

Instructor: Santosh Philip. Cost: $144. Prerequisite: two years of Kum Nye practice. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667397 

Foundations of Kum Nye Relaxation: Focus on the Breath (KNR142)

Wednesdays, 8:00 – 9:00 AM, PT (October 23 – December 11, 2024)

Online Only

‘Once we know how to contact the energy of breath, breathing becomes an infinite source of vitalizing energies.’

–       Tarthang Tulku, Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga

 This course will introduce the basic theory and develop the foundational practices of Kum Nye Relaxation, as presented by Tarthang Tulku in the text Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga. The practice of Kum Nye includes stillness and movement, breath, and self-massage. 

 Each term, through Late Spring of 2025, will highlight a different area of practice. This term will place a special focus on developing the breath practices of Kum Nye.

 This course is appropriate for those new to Kum Nye Relaxation, as well as those wishing to continue to deepen their understanding and embodiment of Kum Nye.

Instructor: Donna Morton. Cost: $96. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667487 

NYINGMA PRACTICE

Essence of the Lotus Trilogy: Wisdom of Padmasambhava (NPR300)

Three Year Program

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, PT (October 25 – December 13, 2024)

Online Only

Body, language, and mind are like lotuses rising from the muddy waters of our experience. For our journey to be meaningful, we can cultivate them well and encourage them to open fully, with the aspiration to be of benefit to all beings. 

This course is part of Essence of the Lotus Trilogy: Wisdom of Padmasambhava. 

Instructors: Lama Palzang, Pema Gellek, Abbe Blum, & Hugh Joswick. Scholarships are available.

Learn more & register:  https://nyingmainstitute.com/trilogy/ 

NYINGMA PSYCHOLOGY 

Deepening Dimensions of Mind 9 month Program (NPS520)

Thursdays, 10-11:30 AM (PDT)/ 19-20:30 (CEST) (September 5 2024 – May 22 2025)

Online only

 Deepening Dimensions of Mind is a nine-month program (32 classes and two weekend retreats) that follows the order of topics presented in Tarthang Tulku’s Dimensions of Mind. We also bring in additional readings from Rinpoche’s work that aim to release worries, entanglements, and negative patterning by uncovering structures of mind that condition suffering. Working with inquiry, contemplation, sharing, and relaxation practices, we cultivate transformation and open to the rich opportunities available to us.

 The first part of the program develops a basis for well-being, inviting us to let go of the limiting conditioning of our experience. Through experiential exercises and deep inquiry, we begin to develop understanding of the four immeasurables—love, compassion, joy, and equanimity—boundless qualities that can open positive potential in all dimensions of time, space, and knowledge.

 Deepening Dimensions of Mind is a continuation of the Knowledge of Freedom program, but it can be taken separately.

Instructors: Abbe Blum, Elske Van de Hulst. Cost: $585 or €585 can be paid in 9 monthly installments of €65 per month.  Retreats can be taken by those not in the program. Email to inquire about late registration. Learn more here: https://nyingmainstitute.com/ddom/ 

TIBETAN LANGUAGE

Advanced Tibetan Tutorial (TIB302)  

Fridays, 3:30 – 4:45 PM, PT (October 25  – December 13, 2024) 

Online only

This advanced Tibetan course consists of continuing reading and translation in the classical Tibetan language. It is for those who already have a good grasp of grammar, vocabulary, and working with Tibetan texts.

Instructor: Barr Rosenberg. Cost: $120. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667570 

Intermediate Tibetan Level VIII (TIB208) 

Thursdays, 6:15 -7:45 pm, PT (October 24  – December 12, 2024)

Online Only

Continued reading and translation of traditional texts and prayers in the classical Tibetan language. 

Instructor: Mark Henderson. Cost: $144. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2667578