The Pith Realizations of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü Masters

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10th Anniversary Celebration of Chamma Ling

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, September 22-25, 2011

This year Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will lead us on a second remarkable journey into Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü (Oral Transmission from Zhang Zhung), the oldest and most important Dzogchen text in the Bon-Buddhist tradition. These poetic pith teachings point out the subtlest of all realizations.

All of the masters who are described in this text achieved the rainbow body, signifying the highest level of realization. As each 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. During this retreat, Rinpoche will guide us into the teachings of another set of masters. With words as a launching point, each master is introduced in a way that allows the practitioner to experience the master’s realization on all levels of being. This retreat is open to all and supplemental materials from last year’s teaching are available. In celebration of Chamma Ling’s ten year anniversary, we also have some special events planned for this retreat.

Alejandro Chaoul, September 26-28, 2011

Heartdrops of Dharmakaya provides methods for introducing the nature of the mind, which remains hidden behind clouds of thoughts and emotions, until direct recognition of the source, the essence, the Heart Drop. This is the method of direct introduction to Dzogchen, the highest and most subtle path of meditation in Bön.

Heart Drops of Dharmakaya was composed by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen, a Tibetan master who passed in 1935, achieving the rainbow body. One of the most influential teachers of his time, his works are still used as textbooks in many Tibetan monasteries and yogic communities.

With vibrant energy and warm humor, Alejandro Chaoul will lead us in a series of practices that use body, speech and mind in extraordinary ways to invoke direct perception of the Nature of Mind.  Unlike methods that watch the breath or calm thoughts, these practices use body postures and simple yet potent visualizations to draw us directly and quickly to experience our essence. With the introduction to Sky Gazing, we will learn to connect to and dissolve within the vast expanse of space. Crestone’s sky and sacred surrounding mountains provide the perfect backdrop for this practice.

October 15 - December 3, 2011

Ligmincha Institute is offering a new seven-week online course Introduction to the Five Elements: Healing with Form, Energy and Light. This course is based upon newly produced videos of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche exploring how each of the five elements relates to our daily experiences, emotions, and relationships. Rinpoche guides meditations for each of the elements, designed to help clear our obstacles and bring balance to our lives. Each section of the course includes a video of Rinpoche’s teaching, Rinpoche leading a guided meditation, readings from Healing with Form, Energy and Light, and assignments for journal writing, discussion, formal and informal practice. The course is designed so that you may integrate study and practice into your everyday routine, learning at your own pace, yet enjoying the support of classmates, the course mentor, and Tenzin Rinpoche.

When I first read Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s Healing with Form, Energy and Light several years ago, I was intrigued to learn that my fledgling connection to earth, water, fire and air could be made on much deeper emotional and energetic levels than I had yet explored on my own. I felt that I had uncovered a great treasure in this book and pored over it in awe and excitement. It had never occurred to me that the fifth element, the mother of the elements, is space. Of course! I felt like I had arrived home in Bon, though I knew an intellectual grasp of these ancient ideas wouldn’t be enough, and I looked forward to the day I would be able to receive the teachings and learn the elemental practices from Rinpoche himself.