Sky Weaving

The practice of Sky Weaving is called ‘Namkha’ in Tibetan, which means ‘sky’ or ‘dimension’. In Tantra, we talk of the ‘skies’ of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. Each element is a sky (dimension) of meaning, and each element is associated with an emotional confusion and a liberated energy. This meditation practice involves weaving ‘skies’ of coloured wool, which link our energy with the energy of the elements, through the Tantric craft of sound and vision. The beauty of the Sky Weaving, which is empowered through mantra, magnetises personal ‘demons’ (neuroses, fears and obsessions) and releases them within the skies of each element. Once complete, the Sky Weaving is authenticated through Jinsreg – the Fire Ceremony – a practice whose roots predate even Shakyamuni Buddha himself.

Ngakma Shé-zér and Ngakpa Namgyal are experts in the practice of Sky Weaving and will give teachings on the primary practice. They will teach the practice in full detail, enabling practical use including giving the empowerment of Ögyen Rig-nga – the five manifestations of Padmasambhava who embody the vibrant functioning of the five elements.

By exploring the five elements via the practice of namkha we gain penetrating insights into the nature of emotions, revealing the inner meaning of the five Buddha families and the mandala of the five dakinis.

“Sky weaving is a way of harmonising the energy of our emotional personalities. Through the ancient practice of winding a woven matrix of threads, empowered through awareness-spell, we can subtly shift our experience of being in ways that profoundly alter our everyday experience.”

—Khandro Déchen