Trail to the Summit
Beginning April 2026 Ongoing
Introducing a new study and mentorship Program with Drubpon Pema Rigdzin
Who is This Program for?
This study and mentorship program is designed for individuals who wish to begin building and strengthening the fertile ground of the Gradual Path of Vajrayāna. It aims to bring framework, clarity, nurturing a community while providing guidance and mentorship to meet individuals where they are on the path.
Structure:
This program was inspired by the popular request of practitioners wanting to form a solid basis for study and progress on the path of Vajrayāna. This program makes it possible to integrate study and practice while receiving consistent and constructive teachings, guidance, and individualized mentorship, all of which without stopping to engage in daily life and without having to commit to long retreats.
What Will You Learn?
· What is the gradual path of Vajrayāna?
· Our spiritual heritage: Vehicles (yānas), schools, traditions and lineages. The program begins with identifying our spiritual heritage from the time of the Buddha all the way to the present days, the importance of lineage, connection with a teacher, method, and model of practice sequence.
· Renunciation: the realization of our condition in cyclic existence, a wish to transcend beyond the states of unsatisfactoriness and constant change that keep us from setting in the present and beyond it.
· A spiritual teacher: in relating to a spiritual teacher, we will explore the different kinds of teachers, how to relate, the importance of lineage and training.
· The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma: the seminal meditation for the development of renunciation, devotion, compassion and commitment to the Dharma path. It gives us meaning, purpose for this life, a pledge of not wasting this delicate moment and a realization of the totality of the universe beyond our apparent bubble.
· Ethics and Compassion serve as our guides to accomplish this, and the vows within their scope act as containers for our mindfulness.
· Mind Training: one of the primary teachings of the Buddha will be approached both in the form of contemplations and in the practice of sitting in Calm Abiding and Insight.
· Death: cultivate fearless attitude on the path in preparation for the most important moment of your life and develop the skills to open your heart to the experience of others.
· Retreat: the program will conclude with practical ways to approach and create conducive conditions for a retreat, the process of how to enact and complete it, and finally how to make any available time and space, an opportunity for a retreated mind to thrive.
Program Objectives:
Our aim is to meet people exactly where they are—to be instructive yet also receptive to the needs and aspirations of pure-hearted practitioners who wish to walk the path of the Vajrayāna.
The program will include regular monthly teachings, private mentorship and dynamic individual guidance
Topics to be covered each month:
· Yānas, schools, traditions and lineages
· The Gradual Path
· Renunciation
· Following a spiritual teacher
· The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to Dharma
· Ethics
· Compassion
· The Mind of Awakening and its vows
· Mind Training
· Calm Abiding
· Insight
· Beyond Insight
· Preparation for Death
We will be honored for you to join us in this journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or clarifications.
Image: Tibet. Himalayas 1933: Nicholas Roerich Museum, Inc., New York
https://www.roerich.org