Thunderbolt bridge in the mind’s sky

The non-monastic tradition of inner tantric yogic song, transmitted from teacher to student for over a thousand years in Tibet, has only reached the West in recent decades. These Gar-dang or ‘camp songs’ originated in small communities living in the high plains and mountain valleys of Tibet, where men and women practiced together in a familial atmosphere.

Gar-dang includes practices which could be described as ‘vocal gymnastics’ (yang) that have term intervals not found in western music, as well as beautifully moving folk melodies. Highly suited to untrained singing voices, Gar-dang is very different to the ‘chants’ of liturgical song found in the monastic tradition.

Although these songs and ‘mantric melodies’ come from a Buddhist tradition, they are neither devotional in an exclusively religious style nor are they a form of entertainment. They only become authentic practices in connection with detailed meditation instructions which Ngala Rig'dzin will provide over the course of the weekend.

On request, Ngala Rig'dzin will also be available to help participants devise a personal meditation practice comprised of alternating periods of song and silent meditation. Ngala Rig'dzin’s regular visits to Vienna will ensure on-going support and feedback.

Participants are invited to bring all kinds of Tibetan musical instruments to the weekend – especially drilbu (bell) and dorje, silnyen and rölmo (peaceful and wrathful cymbals) – as well as deep-sounding drums.

Empowerment
Saturday evening there will be a dBang of Tsogyel Menla, Yeshe Tsogyel manifesting as the Medecine Buddha.