Takla Mebar Retreat (Winter Retreat)
Accumulate Dzogchen Ngondro and Learn Introductory Tibetan Medicine Practices
With Chaphur Rinpoche and Dr. Chaphur Trulku
December 1st -31st, 2025 –
In Person at Casa Chaphur, Costa Rica, and Online
During this year’s Takla Mebar retreat, two new opportunities will be offered. Chaphur Rinpoche will lead Dzogchen Ngondro practices for those wishing to accumulate Dzogchen preliminary practices. In addition, Dr. Chaphur Trulku will provide instruction to those interested in the basic concepts and preliminary practices of Yungdrung Bön Sowa Bumzhi Rigpa (the Zhangzhung tradition of medicine), focusing on its applications for both individuals and communities.
Takla Mebar Teaching
Saturdays: December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. 8am-9am PT.
First, as we have done in the past Winter Retreats, Chaphur Rinpoche will give us instructions regarding the particular Takla Mebar practice(s) to focus on each week. During this retreat, he also will guide us through Takla Mebar practices themselves. These transformational practices are structured to fuel us with the fiery energy and wisdom of Takla Mebar, providing a powerful doorway and support for resting in the Nature of Mind.
Dzogchen Ngondro Teaching
Mondays and Thursdays: December 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, and 29
8am-9am, PT.
Second, as everyone knows, the preliminary practices of Dzogchen are indispensable – a strong and necessary base for the actual practice. According to the Yungdrung Bǒn tradition, the preliminary practices must be accumulated and practiced before Dzogchen practice begins, and they also need to be continually integrated as one focuses on Dzogchen mediation. Therefore, this year, in order to support that integration, we are including Ngondro practices as part of our retreat.
Sowa Bumzhi Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) Teaching
Fridays and Saturday: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27
9am – 10:30am PT
Third, the awareness and practices of Tibetan Medicine offer powerful methods for preventing diseases caused by an internal imbalance of the elements. In order to practice Dzogchen consistently and effectively, we need to maintain good health. With Dr. Chaphur Tulku’s long-term study and experience in Tibetan medicine, he will provide our students with an introductory knowledge of how to use ancient medical methods for understanding the body’s condition.. He will include references to the movement of pulses as our blood circulates and what this reveals about our health. The teachings that Dr. Chaphur Tulku will be sharing with us are based on Sowa Bumzhi Rigpa, the oldest form of traditional Tibetan Medicine teachings, which date back over 10,000 years.
December 1st, 8am to 9am PT, Rinpoche will give instructions regarding the preparations for the retreat as well as how to begin the actual retreat in your home. This will include how to make the offering tormas, the initial Takla Mebar mantra to recite, and the beginning visualization practice.
Daily/weekly schedule: Each day will begin with the 4 Generosity Practices from 7am-7:45am, Pacific Time, and from 6pm to 6:30 pm, PT in the evening, led online by Gyalshen’s Udzes.
December 31st: On New Year’s Eve, the conclusion of the Takla Mebar retreat, we will join together as we perform the ritual of “Dokpa.” Literally “Dokpa” means “turning back obstacles.” In preparation for the 2026 New Year, we will combine the fire energy of Takla Mebar with the Dokpa ritual to clear all negative obstacles. This clearing sets the stage for the manifestation of the much needed positive blessings of peace, wisdom, compassion, love, and prosperity to manifest fully in all aspects of our lives and in our world during the New Year of 2026.
You are warmly invited to attend all three instructions and practices. If your available time is very limited, you also may choose to attend only one or two sections and will be sent access links to recordings on Dropbox to further support your practice. Those who attend in person will be included in all of the daily teachings and practices.
We are very much looking forward to enjoying these expansive and deepening practices with you throughout our December Takla Mebar Winter Retreat.
If you are from Costa Rica and prefer to pay through a Costa Rican bank instead of Paypal, please let us know and we will contact you with details.
Lodging information
We have some shared rooms available at Casa Chaphur. Also, there are many hotels in our vicinity. If you need any help, please let us know and we will do our best to assist you. The Center, Casa Chaphur is just three minutes away from Cafe Macadamia, a very well known restaurant in the Lake Arenal area.
Rooms at Casa Chaphur
At Casa Chaphur, several new buildings have recently been completed and are now ready to be enjoyed. However, due to the limited number of rooms available for rent, we encourage you to register promptly for the shared rooms.
Airport information
* There are 2 airports in Costa Rica. The nearest airport to Casa Chaphur is in Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica.
Please Register Here:
Recordings will be made available shortly afterwards. Please register by Saturday, November 22nd, and you will receive the materials to print in advance of the teaching. The Zoom link will be sent out 30 minutes before each teaching.
Takla Mebar Thangka.
The Gyalshen Store has ordered several beautifully rendered Takla Mebar thangkas from Tibet. If you would like to order one as a support for your practice, please click on the following link:
