Richard John’s November 2022 Northern California Visit
Please join us for a special hybrid series of programs with Richard John this November.
Richard John is one of Shambhala’s senior teachers and has a special relationship with our Northern California community. He has been visiting our region yearly for many years, and we anticipate his annual teachings.
We will gather in small, COVID-safe groups at our local centers and broadcast online to the greater community. If you wish to attend any of these program in-person, when you register for the program, please put that in the registration form notes. Each program page will list the COVID-safety guidelines in place at that particular center. The other option is to attend via Zoom.
About Richard John
An early student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Richard served as acharya for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche for 20 years. He completed the traditional Buddhist three-year retreat at Gampo Abbey, and has taught many meditation programs and retreats in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Richard and his wife Liz reside in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Richard John 2022 Programs
A word about Heart Gifts — It is customary to offer a monetary Heart Gift to the teacher. Teachers receive no salary or benefits, and depend upon this income in order to teach for a living. This is completely voluntary according to your inspiration, and there is no suggested amount — any amount is appreciated!
Public Programs
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation Retreat
Sat & Sun, November 5–6 2022
9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Hybrid Program presented by Berkeley Shambhala Center
The Buddha taught the four foundations of mindfulness as the essential first meditation practice on the path. Basic to all streams of Buddhism, these methods are essential for developing awareness of one’s reality: body, speech, mind and external phenomena.
This program is for all new and senior students who are committed to meditation practice. We will practice each foundation in depth during the four main sessions of the weekend — morning and afternoon each day. Most of each day will be in silence, but we will have time for questions and discussion as well.
Facing Death with Curiosity: A Buddhist Perspective on Life & Death
Sat & Sun, November 19–20 2022
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Hybrid Program presented by Davis Shambhala Center
We know life is temporary. But in our culture we ignore this inconvenient fact until the last minute. Then we regard the death of our loved ones or ourselves as a shock, a failure, or an avoidable mistake. Through meditation experience our feelings about death naturally evolve — from ignorance and fear to curiosity and wonder. Over the centuries, practitioners have discovered that facing our fear of death is the key to celebrating life.
This program is for anyone who wishes to contemplate the reality of life and death. It will include meditation practice and commentary, classic buddhist teachings on the six bardos, and time to share personal experiences in a gentle and safe environment.
Learn more and register here… https://davis.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=575961
Vajrayana Programs
Profound Simplicity: The Trekchö Instructions of Yeshe Tsogyal
Mon–Wed, November 7–9 2022
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Hybrid Program presented by Berkeley Shambhala Center
In the 8th century CE, Yeshe Tsogyal had a vision in which Vajrayogini gave her these pith instructions for practicing trekchö, known as “cutting through to primordial purity.” Trekchö is the dzokchen equivalent of mahamudra, and both are the epitome of the path of wisdom. Yeshe Tsogyal’s instructions will be augmented by a wonderful brief text by Tashi Namgyal, the “Six Points of Mahamudra.” Together these profound but accessible texts give concise instructions for recognizing the empty and luminous nature of mind.
This retreat will be very practice-oriented. The discipline will emphasize silence, but will include time for commentary and discussion.
Prerequisites Participants must be vajrayana practitioners who have received the pointing out transmission from the Vidyadhara, Sakyong Mipham, or from the Vajra Regent or Dorje Loppön on behalf of the Vidyadhara.
Mahamudra Werma Retreat
Sat–Wed, November 12–16 2022
9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Hybrid Program presented by Sonoma Shambhala Center
On October 15, 1980, the Dorje Dradul wrote the “Roar of the Werma” while residing at what is now Casa Werma in Patzcuaro, Mexico. The sadhana is adapted from “The Scorpion Seal of the Golden Sun,” the final Shambhala terma he received from the expanse of wisdom. As the primary practice of Shambhala, the sadhana combines the vajrayana elements of transmission, generation and completion stage practices with the teachings on Ashe, drala and windhorse, which are the essential wisdom of enlightened society.
This retreat will comprise morning and afternoon practice sessions, talks and commentary, and time for discussion. Participants should commit to as much of the retreat as possible. Talk topics will include: Varieties of Lungta Practice, the Path of the Householder Yogin, Ashe and the Three Courts, and Mind Essence in the Dzokchen and Mahamudra Lineages.
Prerequisites Participants must be vajrayana practitioners who have received the pointing out transmission from the Vidyadhara, Sakyong Mipham, or from the Vajra Regent or Dorje Loppön on behalf of the Vidyadhara.
Learn more and register here… https://sonoma.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=575962
Windhorse and Ashe Day
Mon, November 21 2022
9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Hybrid Program presented by Davis Shambhala Center
The Stroke of Ashe and the energy of Windhorse are essential practices of warriorship and enlightened society. In this one-day retreat we will practice and discuss these in detail, as guided individual practice and in group conversation. Participants are welcome to bring the terma texts The Letter of the Black Ashe, and Golden Sun of the Great East.
Prerequisites Participants must be vajrayana practitioners who have received the pointing out transmission from the Vidyadhara, Sakyong Mipham, or from the Vajra Regent or Dorje Loppön on behalf of the Vidyadhara.
Learn more and register here… https://davis.shambhala.org/program-details/?id=576002
