Vajra Yoga: Tibetan Adepts and the Dzogchen, Mahamudra & Unexcelled Yoga Connection

Our winter Vajrayoga practice retreat this March 21-28 is inspired by Dr. Nida, as he has emerged from his recent retreat with revelations that are far-reaching in overcoming seeming divisions in teachings and practices that are central to the Vajrayoga movement.

For part of this retreat (Fri-Mon), Dr. Nida will share Yuthok Yonten Gonpo’s concise teaching of Mahāmudrā in resonance with the historic Tsong Khapa – Namkha Gyaltsen dialogue in 14th century Tibet, as revealed in the Elixir Essence. In this text (already translated in the Life and Teachings of Tsong Khapa) the great adept Tsong Khapa asks the Bodhisattva Vajrapani’s advice for the Great Perfection Connection meditations and for deepening the Centrist transcendent wisdom insight into emptiness.

Dr. Nida will bestow its blessing and explain the quintessential practice commentary he wrote in Tibetan during his retreat, the “Light Energy of Sun and Moon: Commentary on the Yuthok Mahamudra,” which we will translate live as Dr. Nida shares direct personal instruction for the Mahamudra practice in his Yutok Gunanatha lineage, powerful at any level but specially adapted for advanced practitioners.

In addition to teaching sessions by Dr. Nida, Bob Thurman will teach from Tsong Khapa’s body of work as well as join Dr. Nida in dialogue. Each day you will also be able to hone your Vajrayoga practices (Hathayoga and Tibetan Trulkor traditions specifically) with master yogini Michele Loew.

We will also study Pradeep Gokhale’s new book, The Yogasutra of Patanjali: A New Introduction to the Buddhist Roots of the Yoga System, which aligns perfectly with our ongoing exploration of Vajrayoga. We highly recommend you purchase a digital or printed copy of this book before the retreat.

This intensive counts for 60 hours of Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits!

Please note that while Tenzin Bob and Michele will teach on-site at Menla for this retreat, Dr. Nida will join us via live video feed.

Click Register Now above if you wish to register to attend in person at Menla. If you can only attend part of the retreat, you may arrange a partial/prorated registration via our Front Desk at frontdesk@menla.org.

If you are unable to attend in person and wish to attend online only, CLICK HERE to register for our online option.

Partial scholarship applications for the online version can be found by emailing online@menla.org. To apply for partial scholarship to attend in person at Menla, please email menla@menla.org.