Eating the sky

Chülen Rejuvenation Practice

Sunday, April 19, 2026, 10 am to 1 pm PDT

In Person at the Wisdom Center of Santa Cruz and ONLINE

Our spring practice will be devoted to the contemplative rejuvenation practice known as “Eating the Sky.” Rooted in Vajrayāna traditions, Eating the Sky is grounded in an ancient understanding that the body and mind are woven from the same fabric as existence itself. The five elements - earth, water, fire, wind, and space - are not only outer forces but also organic processes within us that shape our vitality, perception, and body. When these elements fall out of balance, “dis-ease” is the natural result. 

The practice of chülen consists of methods aimed at extracting nourishment, or essences, through alchemical processes, ritual, and contemplation. Amongst the different modalities of chülen, extracting the essence of space is considered the most sublime and has been practiced for centuries by yogis in retreat and in Tibetan Traditional Medicine as a treatment for rejuvenation.

Across Tibetan contemplative and medical lineages, including Sowa Rigpa, healing begins by restoring harmony at this elemental level. Where medicine works through substances and behavior, practices such as Eating the Sky turn inward—using breath, visualization, and awareness to receive the elements in their most subtle yet most nourishing form. The practice emphasizes receptivity rather than effort, which invites the body to replenish and the mind to settle on its own basis.

Instructions will be given from the Tsokkyi Thukthik treasure cycle of the Dudjom Tersar lineage, where this practice is held as a support for sustained meditation and longevity. Over the course of the three-hour practice, guidance will be offered on posture, breath, and visualization, interwoven with spacious periods of contemplation.