The Course
Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll be guided into the essence of The Basic Space of Phenomena, Longchenpa’s pinnacle Dzogchen text. Each week offers meditative teachings, reflections, and practices that support a direct encounter with the natural state—spacious, luminous, and already free.
You Will Learn:
• The meaning and meditative depth of The Basic Space of Phenomena (Chöying Dzod)
• The Four Restings and Three Samadhis as experiential paths
• How to recognize and rest in non-conceptual awareness
• How to dissolve the tendency to grasp, analyze, or strive
• The subtle art of self-liberation through direct experience
What’s Included:
• 12 live or recorded weekly sessions with Michael (available via Zoom or Teachable)
• Guided meditations and contemplation practices
• Weekly reflection prompts and practice instructions
• Access to a private discussion group for questions and insights
• Optional reading guide and translations of Chöying Dzod passages
What you will learn
When I first put together this course, my aim was clear – to create a pathway for beginners like you to effortlessly grasp the profound truth about the nature of our existence. I meticulously compiled each lesson to unfold the complexities of the basic space of phenomena at a pace that feels natural and engaging. It's been a journey fine-tuning everything, so you'll find each concept well-organized, making the learning process as smooth as possible. By taking this course, you'll not only gain a solid foundation in these fundamental principles but also experience a transformation in your personal meditation practice. The teachings on resting and samadhi states are designed to be approachable, yet deeply transformative, promising benefits that extend into your everyday life – enhancing clarity, focus, and inner peace.
Your instructor
Lama Michael Gregory brings over a quarter-century of devoted experience as the founder of our vibrant community, drawing on his rich background as a former Buddhist Monk and an esteemed Western Buddhist Teacher. His profound appreciation for the teachings he has received is a wellspring of inspiration that nourishes his passionate approach to sharing the wisdom of Maha, Anu, and Ati Yoga. Lama Michael’s indebtedness to the kindness of his own revered teachers, such as the XIV Dalai Lama and the XVII Karmapa among others, is woven into the very fabric of his teachings, ensuring that students receive authentic and transformative instructions grounded in the empowerment cycles of Rinchen Terzo and Dam Ngak Dzod.
With a commitment to making the profound tenets of Buddhism accessible, Lama Michael skillfully guides students through an exploration of The Basic Space of Phenomena, The Four Resting's, and Three Samadhi’s. Through his extensive experience in leading meditation retreats and spiritual pilgrimages across the sacred landscapes of Thailand, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and India, he offers a unique perspective that encourages the integration of meditative insights into the daily fabric of life. His direction in our community underscores a lived path of awakening, emphasizing the direct experience of teachings as both a practice and a way of being.
Foundational
Grasping the Core: An Introductory Journey into Phenomena and States of Rest and Focus
Illuminating
Enlightening the Path: Understanding the Intricacies of Phenomena and the Stages of Samadhi
Transformative
Altering Perception: Meditations into the Basic Space of Phenomena and Mastery of Resting and Samadhi