Soul and Life-force Retrieval:  Teachings from the Bön Causal Vehicle

with Lama Lhari-la Kalsang Nyima
May 15, 2010

During this teaching, Lama Lharila will focus on the ancient shamanic rites of soul retrieval (la gu) and life-force retrieval (tse gu). Soul retrieval is a method of calling the living essence of the elements, the elemental spirits, to balance and heal the individual. Lama Lhari-la will teach the methods to determine when soul retrieval may be helpful and how, through ritual and practices, one can bring back or reinforce the positive qualities that are missing or weakened in oneself or others.

Lhari-la Kalsang Nyima, Chamma Ling’s resident lama, will be leading a small group practice retreat on the dzogchen meditation methods taught in the Experential Transmission. This retreat is open to everyone who has completed Part 2 or later of the Experential Transmission training. This retreat will be focused upon practicing the dzogchen methods of trekchod, sky gazing and sun gazing. Lama Lharila will guide the practice sessions, and be available for questions and private interviews for discussion of practice. This is a very rare opportunity to get to practice dzogchen extensively with a qualified lama, and gain clarification of subtle points of these teachings.

The conch blew every morning at 6:45.  And those who cherish the chance to practice with Lama Lhari-la understand that the beginning of the day means tsa lung.  It is hard to describe the powerful experience of joining a small group of dedicated sangha members for tsa lung with Lhari-la as the guide.  The space inside the Chamma Ling cabins is intimate, yet encouraging and nurturing.  And even if you did nothing else for the entire day, that forty minutes of practice will give anyone a perfect visualization for the opening of the heart for a long time afterward.

The ngondro is work and it I think it is meant to be.  But it is joyful work.  And Lhari-la brings a sense of joy and understanding to even the most difficult practice points.  He introduced the impermanence portion of the teachings with a vast smile and a gentle apology where he recognized that “westerners do not like to talk about impermanence.”  But he talked about it in great depth and with profound understanding.  He struck a wonderful balance between trying to give good answers to questions and keeping the group from detouring into tangents and casual chit-chat.

The Pith Realizations of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Masters

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, September 23-26, 2010

We are pleased to announce that Tenzin Wangyal Ripoche has graciously agreed to teach from the Pith Realizations of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Masters for the next three years, beginning in 2010. The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud (Oral Transmission from Zhang Zhung) is the oldest and most important dzogchen text in the Bon-Buddhist tradition. All of the masters who are described in this text achieved the rainbow body, where they dissolved into light at the end of their life, signifying the highest level of realization.

Of the vast number of profound teachings of the Bon-Buddhist tradition, dzogchen is the highest, and this series of teachings contains some of the most subtle explanations within the dzogchen tradition. The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud was traditionally very closely held, and passed from only one master to one disciple for 25 generations. As each of of the masters approached the end of his life, his disciple would ask for him to relate a brief biography and the essence of his lifetime of practice and realization. The result is a series of poetic pith teachings that point out the subtlest of all realizations.

Tsa Lung and The Five Warrior Syllables
Alejandro Chaoul Reich, September 27-29, 2010

The Tibetan Bon tradition is rich in practices that involve body, energy, and mind. This course will provide and in-depth experiential exploration of the body’s energetic dimension or subtle body, composed by channels, the vital breath (lung, prana or qi) that circulates through them and the subtle aspects of the mind that guide them, as we experience our embodied existence.

Led by Alejandro Chaoul, who has taught these practices for over a decade, participants will learn meditative techniques from the Mother Tantra that bring together the mind and the vital breath, supported by specific body movements called Tsa lung (“channels and vital breath” practices) working with one’s energetic centers (chakras) to provide a sense of embodied meditation.

Ngondro Practice Retreat, May 8-9

Denver, Colorado area

We are pleased to annouce that Lharila Kelsang Nyima will be leading a practice retreat on the Ngondro of the Experential Transmssion lineage. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have recently received teachings on the ngondro to deepen their practice, and gain personal guidance in practice by a highly qualified lama. This retreat will also be a wonderful support to those who have been already practicing the ngondro for years. It is required that all attendees have already received training in these practices, so all of the time in the retreat can be spent in group and individual practice.

The purpose of our practice retreat series is to provide the time and space with a qualified teacher to deepen one’s practice of a specific meditation. There are at least four formal practice sessions each day, and there are many opportunities to clarify the practices with the teacher. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. For more information and registration contact Matt McKeown at (303)-816-7410 or msphmck34@msn.com.

The Manifestations of Sherab Chamma, May 29-30

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Lharila Kalsang Nyima will explain the many beautiful and transformational ways that Sherab Chamma, the Wisdom Loving Mother, can manifest in our lives, and enrich our daily practices and experiences. These public teachings will be in Tesuque, New Mexico near Santa Fe. Call Valerie Pijoan for registration and information. 505 982-5858.