Summer Retreat

Bar-ché Dorje and Mé-sèl Gyalmo will introduce teachings and practices from different topics including:

Four Naljors
Silent sitting meditation methods of Dzogchen sem-dé – the totality teaching of the ‘nature of Mind’. These methods of meditation are unique in that they explore the fundamental experience of being human at the most essential level of our perception.

Yogic song
A method in which the non-conceptual sensory experience of the voice provides the possibility of finding the presence of awareness in the dimension of sound and bodily sensation. Yogic song is a practice of Dzogchen. The equivalent Tibetan term is Dzogchen gar-dang.

The five elements
Earth, water, fire, air and space can be understood on many levels. We will explore how the manifestations of our emotionality are linked to the five elements and how through transformation the five elemental neuroses can turn into the five elemental wisdoms.

Bardo and Dream Yoga
Literally ‘in-between state’. Bardo refers often to the state between death and rebirth. However, every moment of experience is the bardo between what has gone before and what will come next. Such in-between moments are classified in various ways according to the nature of one’s awareness of them.

The Aro gTér practices of lucid dreaming and illusory wakefulness are techniques for finding self-luminous awareness in every moment of the day and night – whatever our state of consciousness. The practice of dream yoga allows access to ‘lucid dreams’ in which we are aware we are dreaming. Choosing to experience anything we can imagine – dreaming becomes a luminous adventure. The practice of illusory wakefulness connects powerfully with dream yoga through sitting meditation in waking consciousness, thus revealing the ‘one taste’ or essential sameness of experience in both waking and sleeping.

Sem’dzin and Drala
Meditation practices with the elements and sensory fields

Refuge
To take refuge is to affirm your commitment to Buddhism, meaning the path of awakening. The refuge ceremony is a formal acknowledgement of this commitment. Refuge means that you have recognized the fundamental principles of Buddhism as an accurate reflection of reality and that you intend to live according to them. There will be teachings on them and people don't have to take them if they don't feel ready.

Jong-dar
Different psychophysical practices from the series of Dzogchen long-dé that have an effect on your life force, dynamic drive and enthusiasm. There will be teachings on the pervasive Tsa-lung. The psychophysical practices are mainly going to be from sKu-mNyé, Ying'khor and Trül'khor

Thangtong Thugtig
We will introduce a set of practices of the Thangtong Thugtig gTérma in the afternoon like moving with the sword and knife as Sem'dzin. Thugje Regja, Tsa-lung practices. If there is time then teachings of Nam'dzin, Gésar Nam'gyürs and Tsal'gyürs will also be introduced.

Practice sessions
In the mornings there will be a group practice session including the Four Naljors meditation, a Dzogchen Semdé Nyöngdrö practice and yogic song. Individual practice sessions will be included in the schedule as well.

Tantric empowerment
There will be tantric transmissions of Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal. There will also be an explanation of the principal and function of empowerments and yidam practice. Other empowerments can be requested.

Celebration and Tsog
At the end of the retreat we will teach practice tsog and celebration.

We warmly invite you to join us on this event of ferocious enjoyment and fearless realism. Bar-ché Dorje and Mé-sèl Gyalmo are known for their easygoing and humorous style of teaching. They emphasize an open and uplifting atmosphere for practice. The event will be ideal for people who would like to be introduced to a set of practices from the Aro gTér tradition. There is no time to introduce all, but people will have a flavor.