Serenity Ridge Retreats

In many indigenous spiritual traditions the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space pervade all of life and as the essential components of our existence. Our soul (Tibetan: “la”) is composed of the living qualities of the elements at a very subtle level — and traumatic events or other kinds of shock to […]

In many indigenous spiritual traditions the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space pervade all of life and as the essential components of our existence. Our soul (Tibetan: “la”) is composed of the living qualities of the elements at a very subtle level — and traumatic events or other kinds of shock to […]

Torma Making Workshop with Lama Kalsang Nyima In this half day workshop Lama Kalsang will teach us to make a traditional Tibetan torma in honor of Yeshe Walmo, the chief protectress of the Yungdrung Bön tradition of Tibet and Bön practitioners. Participants will be able to take their torma home with them. Along with the […]

U Za Rinchen Sal was an uneducated Tibetan woman who lived many centuries ago in a small village. She became ill, died, and travelled through the bardo of death visiting all of the hell realms as well as many buddha-fields and the lands of the khandro, or sky-walkers. Just before her body was to be […]

Join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche at Serenity Ridge for both a silent retreat and the annual Fall Retreat/Dialogues, "Being Present to the Moment of Death" from September 30, 2025 to October 12, 2025. Two nights stay at no charge when registering for both events together. Silent Dzogchen Practice Retreat: September 30–October 5, 2025 Silence is a powerful tool. Sitting in stillness and resting in silence, the mind can grow more calm and our awareness more luminous. Silence helps us to open the heart and let go of the stresses of daily life. It is not always an easy practice, but it is a powerful tool for personal transformation and expanded awareness.  Come join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche for his first silent retreat in many years! He will support us in finding a deep connection to our inner stillness, silence and spaciousness. This is not a strictly silent retreat. Once per day Rinpoche will provide instruction and there will be opportunities to ask questions about practice, and there will be time for connecting with other retreatants on the last day. The rest of our time in and out of the meditation hall will be spent in noble silence.  We offer free lodging on […]

Silence is a powerful tool. Sitting in stillness and resting in silence, the mind can grow more calm and our awareness more luminous. Silence helps us to open the heart and let go of the stresses of daily life. It is not always an easy practice, but it is a powerful tool for personal transformation […]

Silence is a powerful tool. Sitting in stillness and resting in silence, the mind can grow more calm and our awareness more luminous. Silence helps us to open the heart and let go of the stresses of daily life. It is not always an easy practice, but it is a powerful tool for personal transformation […]

The 2025 Fall Retreat & Serenity Ridge Dialogues with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche & Special Guests For those on a spiritual path, moments of transition provide potent opportunities for self-transformation, and no transition more than the moment of death! Join us in a discovery of spiritual practices that help prepare for the moment of death and that can support others in their time of dying.  Our mornings teachings and practice are with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, who will guide us in the practice of Powa, the transference of consciousness at the moment of death. In the afternoons are talks, conversation and guided practices providing a broad perspective on the process and moment of dying from different perspectives and traditions. Dr. Leslie Blackhall, Dr. Nikki Mirghafori, and Father Francis Tiso are presenters at this year's Dialogues. One of the defining aspects of this event is the opportunity to join in as our presenters and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche engage in conversation around topics close to their own hearts and practice, participating in the conversations through active Q&A sessions.  All practices are taught in a way suitable to any level of experience. All are welcome to join!    Schedule - New York Time Link […]

The 2025 Serenity Ridge Dialogues with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche & Special Guests For those on a spiritual path, moments of transition provide potent opportunities for self-transformation, and no transition more than the moment of death! Join us in a discovery of spiritual practices that help prepare for the moment of death and that can […]

Online only The Invocation of Tapihritsa is one of the most important prayers in the Bön dzogchen tradition. Tapihritsa, an historical person of the early 8th century, achieved full realization and manifested the rainbow body as an expression of that realization. Inseparable from Kuntu Zangpo (Samantabhadra), he represents the union of all masters, especially one’s own root master. It is this prayer that H.E. Yongdzin Rinpoche recited during his final days and moments, fully abiding in the natural state of mind and self-arising wisdom.  The Invocation of Tapihritsa is not only beautiful, but also a profound expression of the natural state. Not only does it reveal all the qualities of our own enlightened nature, it reveals the path and fruit for a practitioner intent upon enlightenment in this very lifetime.  Over the course of two 90-minute sessions, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will explain the meaning of this prayer and how it can lead us to recognizing our own ranjung yeshe, or self-arising wisdom. This half day teaching will be invaluable for all those who attended his summer retreats this year, in which the Invocation was recited in almost every session, and those interested in attending the Serenity Ridge winter Dzogchen retreat […]

Dzogchen Practice Retreat with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche  Online  January 2-10, 2026 Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsalung and Trulkhor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings.  Our focus this year is twofold. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. In the second phase of our retreat, Drupdra Khenpo will teach from the 21 Nails, among the most succinct and profound articulations of the natural state (the clear light of awareness) in any spiritual tradition. He will draw from this sacred text to support our recognition and resting in the nature of mind.  Attend this 8 day online retreat. The teachings will begin on the evening of Friday, January 2, t with a guided […]

Dzogchen Practice Retreat with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche  Online  January 2-4, 2026 Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsalung and Trulkhor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings.  Our focus this year is twofold. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. In the second phase of our retreat, Drupdra Khenpo will teach from the 21 Nails, among the most succinct and profound articulations of the natural state (the clear light of awareness) in any spiritual tradition. He will draw from this sacred text to support our recognition and resting in the nature of mind.  Attend this as a 2 day retreat Online for teachings on the Invocation of Tapihritsa.  This is Rinpoche’s first visit to […]

Dzogchen Practice Retreat with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche   In-person January 2-4, 2026 Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsalung and Trulkhor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings.  Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. All participants will arrive on Friday, January 2, the day for checking in, settling into your room (if you are staying onsite), a light dinner and a guided practice. Our weekend guests will join us for teachings on the Invocation of Tapihritsa. For those unable to attend in person, both options will be offered online via Zoom.  This is Rinpoche’s first visit to the United States. 

Dzogchen Practice Retreat with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche   In-person  Jan. 02-10 Come practice Dzogchen meditation with a true master of the Bön tradition! Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche is the Abbot of the meditation school at Triten Norbutse in Nepal. He is an exceptional teacher and practitioner, recognized for his deep knowledge and dedication to the practices of Tsa Lung and Trul Khor. Drupdra Khenpo Rinpoche will be supported by Marcy Vaughn as our retreat’s umze, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will join by zoom every other day to provide additional instruction and comments on the teachings.  Our focus this year is twofold. Our initial weekend will be oriented around the Invocation of Tapihritsa, a prayer of great beauty that describes and praises the qualities of the natural state. In the second phase of our retreat, Drupdra Khenpo will teach from the 21 Nails, among the most succinct and profound articulations of the natural state (the clear light of awareness) in any spiritual tradition. He will draw from this sacred text to support our recognition and resting in the nature of mind.  Attend this  7 day retreat. All participants will arrive on Friday, January 2, the day for checking in, settling into […]