Dzogchen, "the Great Perfection", which teaches the Path of Self-Liberation, is traditionally regarded in Tibet as the highest and most profound teaching of the Buddha. Introduced into Tibet in the eighth century of our era by the great Buddhist Tantric master Padmasambhava, who came from the country of Uddiyana in Central Asia, Dzogchen has been preserved until the present day, especially among the Nyingmapa and Kagyudpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In terms of meditation practice, Dzogchen distinguishes between "the mind", or the normal thought process that is cyclical and samsaric in nature, and "the Nature of Mind", which is the primordial state of enlightenment that lies beyond all time, conditioning, and causality. Although inconceivable by the finite intellect and inexpressible in words, as the very ground of our existence as living beings, this Natural State can be directly encountered within our immediate experience. By way of direct introduction and meditation practice, this primordial, yet everpresent, state of Buddhahood, which resides at the very core of every individual living being, is revealed like the brilliant face of the sun in the sky when the dark clouds of ignorance and delusion are dissipated. Meditation lies at the core of the practice of Buddhism, in Tibet and elsewhere in Asia, where the emphasis is precisely placed upon awareness, attaining peace of mind, and cultivating insight into one's nature. This primordially pure condition in known as the Natural State of the Nature of Mind. This meditation retreat will emphasize the actual practice of contemplation in terms of Dzogchen, while employing various methods of meditation and non-meditation in a direct, simple, and easy to access manner. This course will present a direct introduction to Dzogchen practice, utilizing exercises known as Rushans and Semdzin, with a focus on practice and how meditation can be integrated into one's daily life.

Advanced Dzogchen Teachings from the Yangtse Longchen of Lishu Tagring with Lopon Tenzin Namdak, Additional teachings with Khenpo Tenpa Yungdrung.

Advanced Dzogchen Teachings from the Yetri Thasel Tradition with Lopon Tenzin Namdak, Preliminary Practices from the Bonpo Tradition with Khenpo Tenpa Yuzngdrung, Background talks on the Bonpo Tradition with John Myrdhin Reynolds. Pfauenhof, Pauendyck 1, 47665 Sonsbeck-Hamb. (Niederrhein), Germany.