2024 Winter Retreat: Resting in the Wonder of the Natural Mind

with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

Weekend option ~ December 27–29, 2024

In winter, nature turns inward to renew itself before the emergence of spring. As in nature, we, too, benefit from taking time to turn inward—to reflect, meditate, and nourish ourselves in community. As we find our centeredness through resting in stillness, silence, and spaciousness, we discover the sacred expanse of our own being and the rich resource of those who gather in this way. We rest, renew, and generate fresh visions for our lives. We activate our aspiration to benefit others.

For this 2024 Winter Retreat, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche warmly invites you to join him for a weekend dzogchen meditation retreat, from December 27–29. A nine day option is also available, from December 27–January 4, 2025.

Dzogchen teachings, known as the teachings of “great perfection,” are considered the highest teachings in Bön and Tibetan Buddhism. The teachings hold the view that each of us and all of  reality is inherently complete and perfected as it is. Nothing needs to be transformed or renounced, simply recognized for what it truly is. Without accepting or rejecting any of our experiences, thoughts, or emotions, the essential dzogchen practice is a practice of allowing everything to be just as it is, without the elaboration of our habitual patterns or the conceptual mind. In this natural space of openness, we abide, fully present with wisdom and compassion.

In this retreat, Rinpoche will present and guide a selection of dzogchen practices from the ancient Bön text of the Experiential Transmission of Zhang Zhung, the core of Rinpoche’s teaching at our winter retreats for the last 30 years. Experienced practitioners who have attended any of the 5-year cycles of the Experiential Transmission, as well as those who are new to dzogchen meditation are warmly welcomed. 

If you are new to these teachings and practices, Rinpoche strongly encourages you to register for two free courses prior to attending the winter retreat:

•  Starting a Meditation Practice through Ligmincha Learning, and
•  Focusing and Calming Your Mind: The Tibetan Practice of Zhiné, through Glidewing

Time will be dedicated for a morning walk with Rinpoche. These walks are a beautiful opportunity to connect to others, with Rinpoche, and with our visiting resident lamas. We bring care and attention to the health of the body, get good sleep, and enjoy nutritious food—all supporting our ability to deepen and stabilize our meditation.

Live translation into German, Polish, Russian, and Spanish will be available on Zoom.

This weekend option is initially opening for commuters only. But, if you wish to stay on campus, you can join a waitlist for accommodations when you register.

If you would like to register for the full 9 day retreat from December 27–January 4, 2025, click here. Registration opens on August 7, 2024.

Tentative Schedule (New York time)
link to your local time zone

December 27, 2024
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Onsite Registration/Check-in
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner
6:45 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. Break
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Teachings

December 28, 2024
7:40 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Walk/Circumambulate
8:15 a.m.–9:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teachings
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Practice
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Teachings
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Break
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Practice
6:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Break
6:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Dinner

December 29, 2024
7:00 a.m.–7:40 a.m. Practice
7:40 a.m.–8:45 a.m. Walk/Circumambulate
8:15 a.m.–9:15 a.m. Breakfast
9:15 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teachings
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Practice
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Teachings
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Break
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Practice
6:00 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Break
6:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Dinner