H.E. Menri Ponlop Rinpoche’s U. S. 2024 San Francisco Bay Area Retreats

H.E. Menri Ponlop Rinpoche’s  U. S.  2024 

San Francisco Bay Area Retreats  

Dzogchen Retreats 

May 31-June 2, 2024: 8 am-2 pm (Pacific Time)

 June 5- 9, 2024: 8 am-2 pm (Pacific Time)

In-person and on Zoom

With His Eminence Menri Ponlob Rinpoche and Chaphur Rinpoche. We at Gyalshen Institute are thrilled to invite you to join us in a deep exploration of Dzogchen, the “Great Perfection,”  the pinnacle of spiritual practice within the Bön tradition, guided by H. E. Menri PonlopTrinley Nyima Rinpoche who will visit us from Menri Monastery, India.

This event offers a rare opportunity for you to deeply immerse yourself in the practice of Dzogchen, where you will gain insights both into its essential preliminaries as well as into the profound practices that ultimately lead to liberation. We will be instructed and guided each step by  His  Eminence  Menri Ponlob Rinpoche and Chaphur Rinpoche.

 Event Details:

There will be one 3-day weekend teaching and one 5-day teaching.  The   Zhang Zhung Meri Initiation will also be included on the very last teaching day of the 5 day retreat.   The event will be in person at Gyalshen and also online.

 Dates: 

• May 31-June 2, 2024: 8 am-2 pm (Pacific Time) Dzogchen preliminary practices (Ngöndro) according to the Practice Manual of the Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung (Gyalwa Chagtri).

• June 5- 9, 2024: 8 am-2 pm (Pacific Time) Teaching on Dzogchen actual practices.  This will include the four actual practices: the  View, Meditation, Conduct and Result, and the Introduction to the Nature of  Mind.  His Eminence will also bless us with the Initiation to his personal Yidam,  the Zhang Zhung Meri Initiation.

About the Teachings:

Dzogchen is a direct path to realizing the nature of mind and experiencing the innate liberation that is our true nature. These teaching sessions are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Dzogchen path, focusing on:

Dzogchen Preliminaries (Ngöndro): These foundational practices are crucial for purifying negative karma, accumulating merit, and preparing the mind for the higher practices of Dzogchen. The preliminaries will be taught according to the Practice Manual of the Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung (Gyalwa Chagtri).

Dzogchen Practice: The main practice of Dzogchen involves recognizing the natural state of the mind and resting in it. We will delve into the practices of Trekchö (“Cutting Through Solidity”) and Tögal (“Direct Crossing”), exploring how to directly experience the clarity, emptiness, and luminosity of the mind.

The Zhang Zhung Meri Initiation: The teachings will close with the Zhang Zhung Meri Initiation. The yidam deity Zhang Zhung Meri is closely linked to the Dzogchen practice within the Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung (Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü). Zhang Zhung Meri serves as a guardian and source of assistance during the practitioner’s journey toward realization.

Who Should Attend:

This session is open to everyone, from beginners to experienced practitioners. Whether you are new to Dzogchen or looking to deepen your practice, there will be valuable insights and practices shared for all.

Please RSVP early to secure your spot if you want to attend in person, as space is limited on-site. Online participation is also encouraged and will be available through Zoom.

Registration:  Click here.

Location: San Francisco Bay Area,

May 31-June 2,  June 5- 8, 2024

At Gyalshen Institute

1608 Bonita Road,

San Pablo, CA, 94806

June 9th, 2024

At Tibetan Community Center 

5200 Dalai Lama Ave,

Richmond, CA 94804,