The Radiance Retreat: Detox and Rejuvenate
July 25 – 28, 2019
Led by Aruna Ross and Satya Shiva at Dakini Mountain, CA
Free your body of deep-seated toxins and undigested material. Far deeper than fasting can go, this weekend retreat will guide you in how to safely uproot the toxins that are buried in your system. You will be guided through a traditional cleanse based on the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese and Himalayan Medicine. The retreat also includes bliss yoga, meditation, organic vegetarian meals, and communion with nature for a holistic mind-body renewal.
The retreat will be led by Aruna Rigdzin and Satya Shiva, directors of the Yogic Medicine Institute. They have offered private treatments, group cleanses and panchakarma retreats since 2002. Past locations have included Costa Rica, Canada, Uruguay, Switzerland, Argentina, Cabo San Lucas, Nayarit Mexico, and several destinations across California: Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos, Berkeley, Campbell, Grass Valley, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego.
Sample Schedule
Thursday, July 25
- 4pm Arrival
- 6pm Organic Vegetarian Dinner
- 7pm Orientation & Introduction
- 8pm Bliss Yoga & Meditation
- 9pm Evening Elixir & Quiet Time
Friday, July 26
- 8:00am Morning Elixir & Organic Vegetarian Breakfast
- 9:30am Detox Yoga & Meditation
- 11:15am Radiant Health Class 1
- 12:30pm Organic Vegetarian Cleansing Lunch
- 1:30pm-4:00pm Free time for therapies, swimming, row boat, hiking, journaling, leisure and rest
- 4:00pm Radiant Health Class 2
- 5:30pm Organic Vegetarian Cleansing Dinner
- 7:00pm Bliss Yoga and Meditation
- 8:30pm Ritual & Entering Silence
- 9:00pm Evening Elixir & Quiet Time
Saturday, July 27 – Day of Silence & Cleansing
- 8:00am Morning Elixir & Light Cleansing Breakfast
- 9:30am Detox Yoga & Meditation
- 11:15am Free time for therapies, swimming, row boat, hiking, journaling, leisure and rest
- 12:30pm Juices & Light Cleansing Lunch
- 1:30pm Free time for therapies, swimming, row boat, hiking, journaling, leisure and rest
- 5:30pm Light Cleansing Dinner
- 7:00pm Bliss Yoga and Meditation
- 9:00pm Evening Elixir
Sunday, July 28
- 8:00am Morning Elixir & Organic Vegetarian Breakfast
- 9:30am Detox Yoga & Meditation & Ritual Breaking Silence
- 11:00am Radiance Class 3 and Closing Ceremony
- 12:30pm Organic Vegetarian Lunch
- 3:00pm Departure
All Inclusive – Tuition, Camping, Elixirs and Meals
Early Bird Registration by June 9th – $395
General Registration June 10th – July 11th – $445
Late Registration July 12th – 24th – $495
Click Here to Register Now
Meditation Instructor Training
Online: Sept 14 – Oct 4, 2019
Get Certified as a Meditation Instructor
Led by Pema Khandro, Aruna Ross and Satya Shiva
The Meditation Instructor Training supplies the fundamental knowledge and experience necessary to lead meditation classes and one-day meditation intensives.
Sixty Hours of Training
- 21 Hours Video Lessons + Bonus Lesson
- 21 Hours of daily practice and journaling
- 3 Group Workshops Online
- 3 Hour Meditation Practicum in an underserved community
- 3 Hour Final Transmission and Graduation
Click Here for Curriculum Details
Dzogchen Meditation Retreat: The Innermost Heart of Freedom
August 21-25
Led by Pema Khandro at Dakini Mountain near Nevada City, CA
Meditation is Not A One Size Fits All Practice
Of course we all know that different meditation techniques would have different results, but since so many scientific studies have focused on MBSR techniques, Vajrayana meditation techniques have been understudied. Still, Vajrayana meditation is slowly becoming the focus of the dialogue between science and asian meditation methods.
Look at this interesting article which found that Vajrayana meditation increased performance of cognitive tasks! The study of Vajrayana meditation opens a door for a conversation about the diversity of meditation methods that come from Tibetan Buddhism. There are so many different practices and they can vary quite widely.
Vajrayana practices engage body, speech and mind, so they usually involve more activity than silent sitting. Vajrayana techniques may involve a variety of practices, from rituals, to liturgies and prayers, to visualization, sonic practices such as mantras or changing syllables. Vajrayana practices are oriented around utilizing sense experiences, so there are the aesthetic dimensions of the practice such as lighting incense and candles and working with images. They can include psychological elements, emotions and internal yogic practices. There are also somatic elements of practice like breathing techniques and mudras.
Ultimately the most important thing is the goal of the practice which is to enhance a sense of awareness and presence, but it can be useful to have a variety of avenues to find that. Every person is different, our blocks to awareness are different, having meditation techniques that work with our own particular proclivities can make meditation much more accessible.
Resting in the Vast Expanse: Dzogchen Meditation Retreat
July 12th – 17th, 2016
Retreat into the beautiful redwood forest, unwind with restorative yoga, experience deep meditation, enjoy organic meals, converse with fascinating people and best of all, receive Buddhism’s most profound teachings….
Join the community of Buddhist Yogis and friends for a rare opportunity to hear Pema Khandro teach on the teachings of the great 14th century Dzogchen master, Longchenpa, from the ngal gso skor gsum.
About Pema Khandro
Pema Khandro is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, scholar and humanitarian, specializing in the philosophy and practice of Tibet’s Buddhist Yogis. She is the founder of Ngakpa International, the Yogic Medicine Institute and two residential centers. For more information visit www.PemaKhandro.org
Residential Retreat Details
This is a residential retreat and will be held at Mount Madonna Retreat center, in California’s scenic redwood forest. Meals will be vegetarian, with a variety of simple food items to choose from.
Vajrayana Meditation Enhances Brain Performance
Article by Pema Khandro
Meditation is Not A One Size Fits All Practice
Of course we all know that different meditation techniques would have different results, but since so many scientific studies have focused on MBSR techniques, Vajrayana meditation techniques have been understudied. Still, Vajrayana meditation is slowly becoming the focus of the dialogue between science and asian meditation methods.
Look at this interesting article which found that Vajrayana meditation increased performance of cognitive tasks! The study of Vajrayana meditation opens a door for a conversation about the diversity of meditation methods that come from Tibetan Buddhism. There are so many different practices and they can vary quite widely.
Vajrayana practices engage body, speech and mind, so they usually involve more activity than silent sitting. Vajrayana techniques may involve a variety of practices, from rituals, to liturgies and prayers, to visualization, sonic practices such as mantras or changing syllables. Vajrayana practices are oriented around utilizing sense experiences, so there are the aesthetic dimensions of the practice such as lighting incense and candles and working with images. They can include psychological elements, emotions and internal yogic practices. There are also somatic elements of practice like breathing techniques and mudras.
Ultimately the most important thing is the goal of the practice which is to enhance a sense of awareness and presence, but it can be useful to have a variety of avenues to find that. Every person is different, our blocks to awareness are different, having meditation techniques that work with our own particular proclivities can make meditation much more accessible.