The Course
Dzogchen and Mahamudra, the Great Perfection and Great Seal, are powerful meditative systems for revealing the nature of mind.
The meditation approach of Mahamudra as found in the Tibetan Kagyu tradition and the Dzogchen approach from the Nyingma tradition are identical in essence - you may follow one or the other - however, each has its own unique instructions. In each system, Mahamudra and Dzogchen, various methods are used to reveal the nature of bare awareness itself.
This unique retreat will give the practitioner a brief overview of each system’s approaches, pointing out their general differences and similarities. The retreat is a meditative, direct experience of each approach. Each retreat session will be guided meditations as taught exactly as the different masters of each system taught their own disciples. Guiding them to the direct experience of the Nature of Mind and the nature of all phenomena.
The unstained purity of reality will be illuminated by these profound meditations. By meditative resting of the mind, these pointing out instructions will guide the mind to the direct experience of its own innate wisdom and knowledge. This innate wisdom requires no conceptual elaboration of any kind. The complete understanding of karma and emptiness will be naturally apparent, revealing the unstained nature of the mind free of any duality of samsara or nirvana. This allows the mind to naturally manifest as the three Kayas out of pure compassion for the benefit of all beings.
Give yourself the opportunity to discover your true nature which has always been your true self. Some meditation practice is the only requirement to join this retreat.
Sarva Mangalam! May it be virtuous!
Offered with love and kindness,
Lama Pemba
Contributing meditation masters:
Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol
Guru Rinpoche , Padmasambhava
Longchen Rabjam
Patrul Rinpoche
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Yeshe Lama
Mahasiddha Tilopa
Master Garab Dorje
May they live in our hearts forever!
Your instructor
Lama Pemba's journey into mindfulness began beneath the serene peaks of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, forging a path that weaves through the rich tapestry of Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. His grounding in Zen emerged at the University of Art and Design in Kyoto, where the confluence of creativity and meditation sparked a profound transformation. From co-founding a flourishing garden design business to deepening his spiritual quest, Lama Pemba embraced Tibetan Buddhism in 2001. His relentless pursuit of wisdom has guided him to the sacred sites of Tibet, Bhutan, India, and Thailand, enriching his practice through intensive Vipasanna and silent retreats, and a dedicated three-year period of solitude focused on meditation in Thailand and the Himalayas.
At the core of Lama Pemba’s teaching is a vibrant passion for Dzogchen and Mahamudra, traditions that illuminate the natural state of our minds and hearts. Coupling his extensive retreat experience with everyday life as a family man, he transmits the essence of these teachings with warmth and clarity. Lama Pemba's passion for enlightenment is intertwined with the joy of sharing, helping others cultivate an authentic connection to the Dharma amidst the demands of modern living. His down-to-earth approach resonates deeply within his students, inspiring a balanced lifestyle nourished by the liberating wisdom of Dzogchen and Mahamudra. Through his leadership, participants in the "Weekend Retreat: Dzogchen and Mahamudra" will discover how to integrate these profound teachings into daily existence, paving the way towards a life enriched with compassion and awareness.