Tag Archives: retreat

Retreat on Semdzins, Secret Rushens and Contemplation With the Emphasis on Kadag

Dzogchen Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

September 11 till 16, 2021 with SMS Instructor Elías Capriles

Including September 11, 19:00 CEST
Public Talk: The Three Phrases of Guru Garab Dorje’s Testament

Both the retreat and public talk will be broadcasted via Zoom. Translation to Italian and Spanish is also possible if it is required. The public talk is open for everyone, while to follow the retreat you need to have Direct Introduction.

For a description of the contents of the retreat and a biography of the teacher, please see below.

Location: Rangdrolling (Nemoland, Overbrakerpad 2, 1014 AZ Amsterdam)

Registration: via contact form   https://forms.gle/KkiUJYdMqfq5nHYKA

Registration for Public Talk Only: https://forms.gle/4RWZN6VGJwG2ZenS8

Price public talk: non-Members  10€
Price retreat Zoom Members:       20€ per day / 80€ for entire course
Price retreat Zoom non Members: 25€ per day / 100€ for entire course
Price retreat Onsite sustaining: 20€ per day / 80€ for entire course          
Price retreat Onsite ordinary:    30€ per day / 120€ for entire course

Payment
Bank details:
IBAN: NL72 INGB 0006 0658 80
BIC: INGBNL2A
In name of: Int. Dzogchen Community of Rangdrolling
with mention Retreat or Public talk

PayPal: info@dzogchen.nl
with mention Retreat or Public talk

No one will be turned away for lack of funds, in this case please contact us:
info@dzogchen.nl
 You can also reach us in the  e-mail above, if you have any question.

Schedule
Sat,   11th  September 
 First Session 15:00-17:00
Sat,   11th  September  Public Talk   19:00-21:00
Sun,  12th  September– Thursday 16th September   10:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00

11th. September  19:00
Public talk: The Three Phrases of Guru Garab Dorje’s Testament

Registration for Public Talk Only: https://forms.gle/4RWZN6VGJwG2ZenS8
 
Guru Garab Dorje was the Master who introduced Buddhist Dzogchen to our human world.
In this lecture, Elías will explain the deep meaning of the three phrases of the testament of Guru Garab Dorje: (1) Direct Introduction; (2) to obtain a decisive certainty; (3) to continue in the state of rigpa.
 
      (1) Direct Introduction means having an initial glimpse of rigpa, which is the nonconceptual, nondual Knowledge (of) the true condition of reality, in a state of instant, immediate, nondual Presence.
       (2) “To obtain a decisive certainty.” According to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, this phrase has been inaccurately translated as “to decide upon this single point.” This is a mistranslation because when one decides, it is the conceptual, dualistic mind that decides, and thus this decision is delusive. So Rinpoche translates it as “Not to remain in doubt” (as to the fact that one had a glimpse of rigpa and that rigpa is the knowledge of the true condition of all reality)—because rigpa cannot be remembered reflexively, as ordinary, conceptual, dualistic memories are remembered.
       Paltrul Rinpoche noted that it also imperative “to gain confidence on self-liberation,” for we need to be certain that, when we look at a thought after Direct Introduction, it will self-liberate.
       (3) The last phrase refers to the main practice of Dzogchen, which consists in continuing in the state of rigpa to which one was Introduced.
 
Therefore, the three phrases of Garab Dorje’s testament are the summary of the whole practice of Dzogchen.
 
 
11th-16th September
Retreat on Semdzins, Secret Rushens and Contemplation With the Emphasis on Kadag
 
This retreat will be focused mainly on practicing Semdzins, Secret Rushens and Contemplation with the emphasis on kadag.
       With the Semdzins and Secret Rushens we have a possibility of discovering rigpa, or returning to the state of rigpa if we have already had glimpses of it. That practice should help us be certain about our own discovery of rigpa and the fact that this condition is the true condition of ourselves and all reality (i.e., it will serve for “Not remaining in doubt,” which is how Chögyal Namkhai Norbu glossed the second phrase of Guru Garab Dorje’s testament).
       At the same time, the best way to become familiar with the self-liberation of thought in Dzogchen Katak Contemplation and to develop confidence on it (which is how Paltrul Rinpoche glossed the second phrase of Guru Garab dorje’s testament), is by nakedly and barely looking at the stuff and essence of the thoughts that arise immediately after having had a glimpse of rigpa.
       Once, (through the practices of Semdzin, Rushen, the Seventh Lojong, Khorwa Yedal and other introductory practices), we have given ourselves direct introduction, we have gone beyond doubt and we have developed confidence that thoughts liberate spontaneously upon looking at their stuff and essence, (barely and nakedly), then we can receive teachings on Trekchod to continue in the state of rigpa without deviating into samsara. And when we have developed enough confidence in spontaneous liberation in intense situations, we can then receive Thögal instructions and devote ourselves to that practice.
        Finally, there will be advice to the sangha, including an explanation of the principles of Contemplation with the emphasis on lhundrub.

Elías`s BIO

Elías Capriles is a Santi Maha Sangha Teacher appointed by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu,
whom he met in 1978 in Boudhanath. He practiced Dzogchen in successive strict 3
months retreats on the Himalayas between 1977 and the end of 1982, after receiving
Trekchö (Khregs chod) instructions from H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and Dungse Thinle
Norbu Rinpoche. He also received teachings and transmissions from H.H. Dilgo
Khyentse, Dodrub Chen Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche and Pema Norbu Rinpoche.
As a whole, he has had twenty books published, as well as five Internet books, over
forty academic papers and twelve book chapters, dealing with Dzogchen and Tibetan
Buddhism; transpersonal psychology; ontology; philosophy of history; aesthetics;
political philosophy; epistemology; sociology; axiology, etc. Various of these are on
Buddhism and Dzogchen (including a poetry work) and Buddhist philosophy (it is
relevant to mention an as yet unachieved work called Buddhism and Dzogchen — Vol.
I: Buddhism that is freely available on the Web).
He is retired from the Chair of Eastern Studies and the Center for Studies on Africa and
Asia the University of The Andes, Mérida, Venezuela, where he taught Philosophy,
Buddhism, Asian Religions, Globalization and Asian Aesthetics and Arts.
He has offered conferences in many Universities across the Americas, Europe and Asia,
and has also led workshops and courses in many countries.
He managed “spiritual emergency refuges” where “psychotics” would go through the
natural self-healing process in which they unwillingly embarked, and has been an
ecological activist.
He is a member of the Board of the International Transpersonal Association; among shis

works on this subject, most recent and best known is the four-volume work The Beyond
Mind Papers: Transpersonal and Metatranspersonal Theory (Blue Dolphin, Nevada
City, CA, 2013). His most recent book is Chamanismo y Dzogchen (Barcelona, La
Llave, 2019).

Mandarava Long-life Practice, Chüdlen and Tsalungs retreat | Nina Robinson |

We are happy to invite you to the retreat Mandarava Long-life Practice, Chüdlen and Tsalungs in 23rd – 27th October 2019 with Nina Robinson at Rangdrolling, Amsterdam.

During the retreat we’ll try to learn something about all the different aspects of this practice: its meaning and benefits, the symbolism of the mandala, the melodies, mudras and use of ritual instruments.
We’ll also practice the Sogtig breathing for the Chudlen practice and, if time, some Tsalungs as taught by Rinpoche in the 2018 Mandarava Drubchen retreat in Dzamling Gar, Tenerife.
*****
We’ll start the retreat at 6.30 in the evening of 23rd October 2019 with a Ganapuja of Mandarava.
On the following days there will be explanations and practice 10 – 12 am and 3.30 – 5.15 pm, leaving space in the evening for Yantra Yoga and/or Dance of Vajra, or Khaita. Sessions will be more or less 2 hours
**********

The Mandarava Long-life, chüdlen and tsalung practices come from the Longsal Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.
They belong to the Upadesha series of Dzogchen.

The following are words of Rinpoche extracted from various teachings.

“The Tibetan word for Upadesha is Men-ngag. Ngag means voice; men is the negative. That means these teachings should be kept secret; when practitioners receive these teachings they shouldn’t talk about them everywhere and use them everywhere; they should keep them secret.”

“The practice of Mandarava is a path for having total realization and also, relatively, for having a longer life and prosperity. But the main point is to attain realization of the state of Mandarava.
“Another characteristic of Men-ngag methods is that they are more effective and lead to quicker realization. Of course you need a concrete base for that. If you have that base, when you receive the teaching and do the practice in the correct way you can have quicker realization.”

“The Tsalungs are specific methods ….. for applying how to integrate into a state of contemplation through channels and chakras.”

“In the Dzogchen teachings it is considered important to at least do the most simple form of Chüdlen because it is a great help in the development of clarity.”

NINA ROBINSON’s BIO:

Nina Robinson was born in England in February 1937. She has done many different kinds of work, including raising a family, making ceramics and teaching it. After briefly following various Buddhist teachers she met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and attended the teachings he gave in June 1980 in a camping retreat he gave in northern Italy. She was very fortunately able to follow many of his teaching and practice retreats from that time until the present day. She moved to Italy in 1986 and has lived near Merigar since then. She was secretary of Merigar for 7 years. She has also helped in transcribing, translating and editing many books of Shang Shung Editions.
Since 2002 she has been invited to lead retreats in many parts of the world.

Diet Advice just in case you want it
The diet Rinpoche recommended for those wishing to do strict Chudlen practice:
well-cooked grains such as wholegrain rice, barley, oats (no wheat); raw butter; honey; a little ripe fruit and cooked vegetables – all in small quantities and nothing after 6 o’clock in the evening.

Second level: those who need it can also eat some beans; fish; yogurt (only in the first half of the day) and cornflakes and milk in the evening.

Third level can add some cheese, fish and chicken etc.
People who have a lung imbalance will need more substantial food.
Drinks: good boiled water, some fruit juice, roasted barley drink, some herbal teas. Those who cannot give up tea and coffee should drink it very weak and not often.

Rinpoche said you should not smoke anything while you are doing Chüdlen.  He says that if you normally smoke you should stop for the whole time you are doing Chüdlen retreat.
Of course you shouldn’t use any kinds of heavy drugs or alcohol.

Location: Rangdrolling (Overbrakerpad 2, 1014 AZ Amsterdam)
Registration via email: info@rangdrolling.nl
IBAN: NL72INGB0006065880 with mention Mandarava retreat
Price: Sustaining € 95 -; Ordinary € 130 – ; Non-Members € 145 –
Early Bird Price: Sustaining € 80 -; Ordinary € 110 – (before October, 1)
*in case of financial troubles please contact  info@rangdrolling.nl

July, 20-21| Purification of Six Loka | Weekend retreat with Jakob Winkler

We are delighted to invite you to a Practice Weekend Retreat “Purification of Six Loka – Working with our emotions from a Dzogchen perspective” with Jakob Winkler on the 20-21th of July!

One of the main preliminary practice for entering the path of Dzogchen Upadesha for dealing with our passions is the purification of the Six Loka, the inner separation (rushen) of Samsara & Nirvana.

Through the power of the three Vajras combined with visualization, mantra and contemplation we purify the karmic seeds which create the samsaric suffering and hinder our recognition of the primordial enlightened state.

This practice is easy to apply and very suitable for practicing it together. We going to study the background of it and learn different ways of applying it.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu writes in „The Precious Vase“

“The separation of Samsara and Nirvana.

Being conditioned by the delusive appearances of the mind and by thoughts without having any control over them constitutes the karmic vision of samsara. Abiding in the state of pure instant presence or Rigpa constitutes nirvana. Consequently, the purpose of these two special methods of separation, in their turn subdivided in outer, inner and secret separation, is to enable the practitioner to distinguish or separate the state of the mind that is the source of samsara from the state of Rigpa that is the root of liberation of nirvana.”

Jakob Winkler’s BIO:

Jakob Winkler studies and practices Tibetan Buddhism since the mid-eighties. He met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1989. In 2002 he was authorized by him to teach the study and practice program of the base of „Santi Maha Sangha“ and in 2008 the 1st level. Jakob holds an MA in Tibetology, Indian art history and social anthropology, which he studied in Munich – his hometown – and Vienna. He works mainly as an author, editor and proofreader for Buddhist publications, instructor for Santi Maha Sangha and acts as interpreter for Buddhist teachings. Today he lives in Bonn, Germany.

Saturday, 20 July

10.00 – 13.00
15.00 -18.00

Sunday, 21 July

10.00 – 13.00
15.00 -17.00

Location: Rangdrolling (Overbrakerpad 2, 1014 AZ Amsterdam)
Registration via email: info@rangdrolling.nl
IBAN: NL72INGB0006065880 with mention 6 loka Retreat
Price: sustaining € 50.-  ; ordinary € 80.-
*in case of financial toubles please contact  info@rangdrolling.nl

Sangha Retreat

This year we were invited to the first ever IDC Annual Sangha Retreat in Dzamling Gar. You can read about it here: melong.com/idc-annual-sangha-retreat-asr/
It is a beautiful opportunity for collective practice and we want to support this event locally.

In case the event is webcasted we can join from the Ling.

We are very delight to invite you to the Sangha Retreat at Rangdrolling on March 30, 31. Same idea: we will practice together celebrating the fact that we have each other as a community, connected through the transmission, sharing knowledge and experience.
Anyone who can join is very welcome, either one day or a specific session:

 

Saturday, March, 30

09.45 – Dance of 12 A

10.00 – 11.15 Complete breathing exercises and basic Yantra Yoga (three preliminaries), rhythmic breathing in preparations of Sog Thig and Tsa Lung.

11.30 -12.30 Guru Yoga of White A

12.30 – Dance of 12 A

-break-

14.30 – Purification of Six Lokas

16.30 -Green Tara

19.00 – Medium Ganapuja with an invocation of Ekajati (protector of Dzogchen)

 

Sunday, March, 31

09.45  – Dance of 12 A

10.00 – 11.15 Complete breathing exercises and basic Yantra Yoga (three preliminaries), rhythmic breathing in preparations of Sog Thig and Tsa Lung.

11.30 -12.30 Guru Yoga of White A

12.30 – Dance of 12 A

-break-

14.30 – Purification of Six Lokas

16.00 – Mandarava with Tsalung

Location

Rangdrolling (Overbrakerpad 2, 1014 AZ Amsterdam)

Costs

Free. Donations are highly appreciated.

Contact
If you have any questions and/or suggestions, want to offer your help in leading some practices please contact us on info@dzogchen.nl or call us +31 (0)633179532

Hope to see you at Rangdrolling!

Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra Weekend

August 31, September 1&2 in Amsterdam with Stoffelina Verdonk

Rangdrolling Amsterdam is exited to announce the next Vajra Dance of The Song of the Vajra weekend in our series, specially suitable for refreshing and learning this Dance. It is the third weekend and we are starting the second half of the Dance. We will repeat what we have learned before and start from Sambharatha on.

A special element of this course is its focus on learning the correct rhythm and way of singing of the Song of the Vajra. Those who are not learning the Dance now, are welcome to join and learn!

About this course Stoffelina writes:
In this course the new Pamo are learning the steps, while the Pawo or others who are present, sing the natural sound of the Song of the Vajra. They can experience how to be present in the correct timing with the syllables and melody, while they sing. Then the new Pawo start learning the steps and the Pamo sing etc.

All sounds of The Song of the Vajra present a source for contemplation. We learn how to sing perfect way in timing, offering our presence, dancers and singers, relaxing in contemplation All together.

It is a perfect practice, also a Semdzin, in which we can discover how this singing and dancing is influencing our dance, our own dance, but also the dance in harmony of Pamo and Pawo present on the mandala.

Knowing the precise timing and way of singing is presented since long time by Rinpoche, also by Adriano Clemente. In Vajra Dance, especially for those who know longer the dance, timing is important. This is a very joyful way to dance AND sing together.

All Be most welcome!!!

About Stoffelina Verdonk 
Stoffelina is a certified performer and teacher of modern dance. She met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1986. Since then she practices his teaching and collaborates within the Dzogchen Community. She became a second level Vajra Dance instructor in 1993, travelling to teach and practice Vajra Dance in and outside the International Dzogchen Community; and she is a very inspiring and experienced Vajra Dance teacher. In 2015 she was authorised as Santi Maha Sangha and Khaita instructor by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
For a fuller biography see: http://vajradance.net/stoffelinaverdonk/

Place and Time
Location: Studio 14, Broedplaats HW10
Address: Hendrik van Wijnstraat 10, Amsterdam.

Time Schedule (provisional):
Friday August 31: 13:30 – 17:00 and 19:00 – 21:00
Saturday September 1: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00
Sunday September 2: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:00 (practice only)

Costs
Requested donation for the whole weekend is 100 euro.
If you have financial limitations, this should not be a reason not to participate. Please contact us in this case.

Payment details:
Paypal: info@dzogchen.nl

Bank:
Account number IBAN: NL72 INGB 0006 0658 80
In name of: Int. Dzogchen Gemeenschap van Rangdrolling
Reference message: Vajra Dance Weekend

Contact
If you have any questions and/or want to register, please contact us on info@dzogchen.nl

Hope to see you on the Mandala!

Rangdrolling Vajra Dance Team

Song of the Vajra Dance Weekend 8-10 June with Stoffelina Verdonk

Rangdrolling is very happy to announce a Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra weekend with Stoffelina Verdonk, June 8 till 10 in Amsterdam.

This weekend is specially suitable for refreshing and learning this Dance. It is part two of our multi-part course. In the previous weekend we learned the vajra dance of the 4 contemplation and of the 4 Da (until Vaitana). This weekend we will repeat and continue the ajra dance of the 4 visions and of conduct (from Parali on).

A special element of this course is that it also focusses on learning the correct rhythm and way of singing of the Song of the Vajra. Even those who are not learning the Dance now, are welcome to join and learn! 

About this course Stoffelina writes:

In this course the new Pamo are learning the steps, while the Pawo or others who are present, singing the natural sound of the  Song of the Vajra.  They can experience how to be present in the correct timing with the syllables and melody, while they sing.

All sounds of The Song of the Vajra present a source for contemplation. We learn how to sing perfect way in timing, offering our presence, dancers and singers,  relaxing in contemplation All together.

It is a perfect practice, also a Semdzin, in which we can discover how this singing and dancing is influencing our dance, our own dance, but also the dance in harmony of Pamo and Pawo present on the mandala. 

Knowing the precise timing and way of singing is presented since long time by Rinpoche, also by Adriano Clemente. In Vajra Dance, especially for those who know longer the dance, timing is important. This is a very joyful way to dance AND sing together. 

All Be most welcome!!!

About Stoffelina Verdonk 

Stoffelina is a certified performer and teacher of modern dance. She met Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1986. Since then she practices his teaching and collaborates within the Dzogchen Community. She became a second level Vajra Dance instructor in 1993, travelling to teach and practice Vajra Dance in and outside the International Dzogchen Community; and she is a very inspiring and experienced Vajra Dance teacher. In 2015 she was authorised as Santi Maha Sangha and Khaita instructor by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

For a fuller biography see: http://vajradance.net/stoffelina-verdonk/

Place and Time

Location: Studio 14, Broedplaats HW10

Address: Hendrik van Wijnstraat 10, Amsterdam.

Time Schedule (provisional):

Friday June 8: 14:00 – 17:30

Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10: 10:00 – 17:30  with lunch break (about 2 hours)

Costs
Requested donation for the whole weekend is 100 euro.

If you have financial limitations, this shouldn’t be a reason not to participate. Please contact us in this case.

Payment details:
Paypall: info@dzogchen.nl

Bank:
Account number IBAN: NL72 INGB 0006 0658 80
In name of: Stichting Dzogchen
Reference message: Vajra Dance Weekend June 2018

Contact
If you have any questions and/or want to register, please contact us on info@dzogchen.nl

Hope to see you on the Mandala!

Gakyil of Rangdrolling