Early Fall and Late Fall WORKSHOPS & RETREATS

Path of Prayer to the Land of Bliss (DHS415)

August 31st (Saturday), 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, PT

Online and In Person at the Nyingma Institute

A “Buddha-field” refers to a realm of being where all that happens is conducive to attaining enlightenment. One such Buddha-field is Sukhavati, “Land of Bliss,” presided over by the Buddha Amitabha. This workshop looks at how human consciousness can connect to these realms. Readings will be provided.

Instructor: Hugh Joswick and Mark Henderson. Cost: $50. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2665836 

Vimalakīrtinirdeśa, the Teaching of Vimalakirti (DHS417)

September 28th (Saturday), 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, PT

Online and In Person at the Nyingma Institute

We take a closer look at the path of the bodhisattva through a recent translation of the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa from the Sanskrit. The sūtra centers around the mysterious figure of Vimalakīrti, a wealthy householder recognized by the Buddha as a realized bodhisattva. Vimalakīrti’s questions intimidate everyone. Yet through his interrogations, humorous dialogue, and fantastic miracles he teaches the nonduality of the Mahayana path with striking clarity. We will look at some key moments in the sūtra that illustrate the grand vision of the bodhisattva. Recommended reading: Vimalakīrtinirdeśa from Mangalam Press. A special discount is available for Nyingma Institute students. 

Instructor: Hugh Joswick and Mark Henderson. Cost: $50. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2665838 

Day-Long Meditation Retreat: Coming Home to Ourselves (MED460)

September 28 (Saturday), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, PT 

In Person at the Nyingma Institute  

Take a break from your life and routine by joining us for a full day of practice, stillness, and silence. When we dedicate time and space to experiencing what is arising, meeting our own minds and bodies on the cushion, this can help us reconnect deeply with our own inner knowing. 

This retreat takes us through part of a sequence of breath practices that appear in Practices on the Buddhist Path by Tarthang Tulku. It also includes simple movement or sound practices to help ease us into concentration and presence, guided Metta practice during the opening and closing sessions, and a period of walking meditation after lunch. 

This program is designed for experienced meditators with an established practice; in total, it includes approximately 6 hours of practice over 1 day, with 15 minute breaks between each 60 minute session and a lunch break. It will be held outdoors in the beautiful meditation garden, weather permitting. 

This program requires a minimum of 6-8 participants, please register early in order to ensure that it is held. A simple vegetarian lunch will be served. Please arrive 15-30 minutes early for an orientation to the space, especially if you are new to our location. 

Instructor: Pauline Yu. Cost: $50-80 sliding scale. We are a volunteer-run non-profit organization. Your contributions help sustain this community, and also contribute to projects supporting the roots of the tradition in Asia. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2666248 

Meditation: Empowering the Process of Self-Transformation (MED450)

October 19th (Saturday), 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, PT  

Online and In Person at the Nyingma Institute 

 Tarthang Tuku writes,  Meditation is food for the mind, hungry for relief from confusion and emotional pain.  To the agitated and anxious mind, it offers the healing nectar of confidence and clarity. This three hour workshop is for beginners and for anyone with meditation experience who wish to support or jump-start a continuing practice.  It will consist of sitting, guided and silent meditations, gentle, slow body movement meditations (Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga), and support for tools to disperse whatever obstacles arise in meditation. It includes discussion of practices and experiences, and sharing insights, questions, wonderings. 

Instructor: Olivia Hurd. Cost: $50. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2665860 

The Power of Buddhist Symbols (DHS416)

October 26th (Saturday), 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, PT 

Online and In Person at the Nyingma Institute

 Buddhist art and architecture stand as guides to enlightenment. This workshop explores sacred forms and their symbolic language from an advanced perspective. We will look at how to connect with the power and beauty of Buddhist sacred art, conceptually and experientially, and how practice with different kinds of Buddhist symbols can express deep truths of our being.  

Instructors: Mark Henderson and Hugh Joswick. Cost: $50. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2665869 

Relaxing and Healing Negative Emotional Entanglements (MED455)

Day Long Retreat

November 16th (Saturday), 10 AM–4:00 PM, PT 

Online and In person at the Nyingma Institute

 In this full-day (or half-day option) retreat we will use our emotions in a gentle way, as a catalyst to deepen connection to our being, through compassionate techniques that heal body and mind.  We will use imagery, sound, mantra, healing movement meditations (Kum Nye yoga) and breathing techniques to connect with greater awareness of mind, body, heart and spirit , which encourage a transformation toward greater freedom: wholeness of being. Tarthang Tulku writes, Each experience can teach us… even our difficulties can be transcended, for nothing is permanent…. We are so tied up in negative patterns that we may even be strengthening our negative emotions without knowing we are doing so. When we are unaware, when we are sad, depressed, unhappy, we are like bees trapped in a jar – they buzz around in restless patterns, with no way to escape.  Our emotional problems and negative attitudes are in one way part of our learning process. … We can then begin to work with our problems directly….

Option to come for half of the retreat only, from 10 AM – 1 PM. 

Instructor: Olivia Hurd. Cost: $100 for whole day, $50 for half day. Registration deadline by 9:00AM, Friday morning, November 15th.  (Minimum of 4 students for each half-day; morning session required in order to participate in afternoon session.) Some meditation experience required. Contact the instructor by emailing , for any questions about prerequisites or other concerns. Registration: https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4698#EventID=2665881