This day-long retreat explores ways of accessing and settling into our innate awakened awareness through practices adapted from Tibetan Buddhism. We will learn how to participate in an empowering field of loving, spiritual connection, and so become increasingly receptive to the unconditioned openness, wisdom and compassionate energy of our essential nature—known in the Buddhist tradition as buddha nature. Parts of us, often unconsciously, prevent us from becoming more fully receptive to such qualities of awakening. This is true even for long-time practitioners. To address that, we will focus on ways that the healing powers of our buddha nature can help…

Chöd, or “cutting through,” is a profound practice that cuts to the heart of wisdom and compassion. Traditionally attributed to the eleventh-century female practitioner Machig Labdrön, it is prevalent in many Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Combining the view of the Prajnaparamita sutras with tantric visualization methods, chöd is a direct meditational approach to severing ego-clinging. Chöd practice is also known for its hauntingly beautiful melodies, and has traditionally been used as part of Buddhist healing rituals. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche has repeatedly emphasized the importance of practicing of chöd, and of perfecting our understanding of both its profound meaning and its lineage…