EARLY SPRING CLASSES

8 weeks: Monday, February 10 – Saturday, April 5, 2025

BUDDHIST STUDIES 

Introduction to the Mahayana: The Path of Heroes Part 1 

Tuesdays, 7:00—8:30 PM (February 11 – April 1, 2025) 

Online & In-Person at the Nyingma Institute

The Bodhisattva path “offers a precise and effective response to the dynamic blend of chaos, confusion, and bright intelligence that characterizes our times,” the Introduction to Dharma Publishing’s translation of Zhechen Gyaltsab’s Path of Heroes states. This Tibetan book was written in the first part of the 20th century as a summary and commentary on the Mahayana path. It incorporates many teachings of the Mahayana in presenting a path of self-mastery. In this term we will cover such topics as the preliminary practices of meditation, the training in the four thoughts that turn the mind to the Dharma, the development of bodhicitta, exchanging self and other, and making self-mastery your way of life. The Path of Heroes is an excellent introduction to the fundamental concepts of the Mahayana, and Tarthang Tulku’s introductory essays to each section are the basis of this superb, accessible program of essential practices for developing a bodhisattva way of life in the 21st century. Open to all those with an interest in understanding the Mahayana path in Buddhism and engaging its teachings. One Saturday workshop elaborating the Four Thoughts that turn the Mind to the Dharma is also part of this class. 

Instructors: Mark Henderson and Hugh Joswick. Cost: $160. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/introduction-to-the-mahayana-the-path-of-heroes-part-1/

Path of Heroes: Daily Practice Program (Part 1)

Mondays through Fridays, 6:45 – 7:30 AM, PT (February 17 –  April 4, 2025)

Online & In-Person at the Nyingma Institute

This class is open to those who enroll in Introduction to the Mahayana: The Path of Heroes (part 1). This rigorous meditation practice class will meet five (5) mornings a week. We will experientially engage the sequence of meditation practices presented in detail in Tarthang Tulku’s Four-Month Program for Study and Practice published in Path of Heroes, Vol. 2, pp. 568 – 597. 

Instructors: Mark Henderson, Caz Verde, Nyingma Institute Faculty and Staff. Cost: $160. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/path-of-heroes-daily-practice-program-part-1/  

Our Sacred Heritage:  Nyingma Wisdom from India to the Modern World 

Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, PT, (March 5 – April 16, 2025)

Online only. Recordings will be available for those unable to join during class time. 

This comprehensive seven-week course charts the remarkable journey of Nyingma Buddhist teachings from their ancient Indian origins to their contemporary expression. Our class begins in ancient India, exploring the seminal contributions of early masters including Garab Dorje and Shri Singha. We will discover the profound impact of the eight great vidyadharas of Oddiyana and the rich wisdom traditions that flourished at Nalanda University. 

Tracing the dharma’s journey into Tibet, students will study the establishment of Buddhism through the KhenLobChoSum, the flowering of the Kama and Terma traditions, and the profound contributions of masters like Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa. The course culminates in exploring how Tarthang Tulku carried forward the blessings of his revered teachers and his vision in establishing our spiritual community. This provides students a unique opportunity to understand their connection to, and the importance of supporting, this living stream of wisdom.

Instructors:  Pema Gellek and Lama Palzang. Cost: $108. Registration / Learn More: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/our-sacred-heritage-nyingma-wisdom-from-india-to-the-modern-world/

MEDITATION

Advanced Meditation: Luminous Essence 

Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am, PT (February 20  — April 3, 2025) 

Online Only

In challenging and uncertain times, feeling groundless and unmoored can serve as an impetus to turn inward to our innate buddha nature, the source of all wisdom and freedom. This nature is always present, waiting to be recognized and fully inhabited. 

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition offers powerful visualization practices that help us access our inner resources of compassion, clarity and resilience. We will work with classical deity practices that each open a unique pathway to transformation: 

• Avalokiteshvara, embodying infinite compassion
• White Tara, representing long life and wisdom 
• Green Tara, representing swift protection
• Vajrasattva, offering spiritual renewal
• Medicine Buddha, bringing healing to all levels of being
• Amitabha, radiating boundless light 

This course also draws upon essential Buddhist texts and teachings that illuminate buddha nature – our fundamental capacity for awakening and expressing our deepest wisdom and goodness. 

Instructor: Lama Palzang and Pema Gellek. Cost $140. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/advanced-meditation-luminous-essence/

KUM NYE

Advanced Kum Nye: Kum Nye Beyond any Conceptual Frame of Reference

Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, PT (February 11  – April 1, 2025) 

Online and In-Person at the Nyingma Institute

“Our internal evolution can continue to unfold, expanding awareness and pointing ever more surely towards the full development of awakened mind” – Joy of Being p. 189

In the beginning, Kum Nye starts as a simple physical movements. Over time, if you are open to it, your practice will  quickly move beyond any conceptual frame of reference, where language cannot capture it, opening to the possibility of a fully awakened mind. In this class we will work on developing this kind of openness in our practice.

Instructor: Santosh Philip. Cost: $160. Prerequisite: two years of Kum Nye practice. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/advanced-kum-nye-kum-nye-beyond-any-conceptual-frame-of-reference/

Foundations of Kum Nye Relaxation – Focus on Balancing and Integrating Body, Mind, and Senses

Wednesdays, 8:00 – 9:00 am, PT (February 12 – April 2, 2025)

Online Only

 ‘We commonly think of balance as our bodily equilibrium or stability. This understanding of balance is limited, however, and can be expanded by certain exercises and movements which show us how to bring breath, senses, and awareness into balance with our bodies and minds. We can make our whole system balanced, for balance is a natural condition of flowing feeling and energy which pervades the entire body and mind. This balance is the objective of Kum Nye.’

–       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 practices in the section Balancing and Integrating Body, Mind, and Senses. We will sample practices from all three stages of this part of the book.

 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: $120. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/foundations-of-kum-nye-relaxation-focus-on-balancing-and-integrating-body-mind-and-senses/

Joy of Being: Senses and Perception  

Mondays 6:00 – 7:30 PM or Wednesdays 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM,  PT

(February 10   – June 7, 2025)

Online Only  

Kum Nye is a way to relax and heal the gates of the senses, so that they also open inward, transmitting the full richness of experience and bringing more pleasure and joy into our lives. Kum Nye enables us to relax deeply and to be fully within the flow of sensory experience. 

                                                   Joy of Being  Ch. 11 Tuning Our Physical Senses 73

Over early and late spring terms we go deeply into Part 3 of Joy of Being: Senses and Perception.  We will engage in practices for relaxing and healing the various sense organs. Nourishing the senses, distilling the pure juice of perceptions and experiences, we find a reliable source of contentment and meaning.  As we develop their potential, we open into a richness of experience that brings more joy and pleasure into our lives. 

The class is taught twice during the week: Monday the instructor is Abbe Blum at the Nyingma Institute;  Wednesday is taught by Bram Williams and Angela Bushaway in the U.K. Students can attend one or both. Each term can be done on its own. This course is also intended as groundwork for those interested in eventually teaching Joy of Being. Prerequisite: Several terms of Kum Nye experience or permission of Instructor. Cost: $160. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/joy-of-being-senses-and-perception/

NYINGMA PRACTICE

Essence of the Lotus Trilogy: Wisdom of Padmasambhava 

Time and the Opening of Knowledge 

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, PT (February 14—April 4, 2025) 

Online & In-Person at the Nyingma Institute

Our first class this term occurs during the Longchenpa chant, which honors Padmasambhava and the Vajra Guru mantra, and we ask those enrolled in the class to participate in the chant, at least for some sessions. We will deepen appreciation for Padmasambhava’s teaching throughout the term with practice and prayer. We continue reading Lotus Body to strengthen our resolve to investigate the dynamic of time and bring those insights into our daily lives. Experience with previous Lotus classes is recommended, but not required. One weekend retreat, dates to be determined, will be part of this class. 

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

Learn more and 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

Intermediate Tibetan Level X 

Thursdays, 6:15 -7:45 pm, PT (February 20  – April 3, 2025)

Online Only

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

Instructor: Mark Henderson. Cost: $140. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Registration: https://nyingmainstitute.com/courses-new/intermediate-tibetan-level-x/