We are happy to share that Geshe Sonam Gurung will be co-leading an advanced Dzogchen retreat with John Jackson in March. This week-long retreat will be held at the Serenity Ridge retreat center near Charlottesville, Virginia in the US, and will also be available via Zoom for those who cannot travel to the retreat.
The Six Lamps is an important Dzogchen text within the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud, the Oral Transmission from Zhang Zhung, the oldest and most important Dzogchen lineage in the Bön tradition. This text explains the view, purpose and fruit of the togyal practices, sometimes translated as the “leaping over” or “by passing”practices, for they support the rapid development of deep realization and insight in the practitioner. Togyal is the final stage of Dzogchen practices.
This retreat is sponsored and organized by the Mustang Bön Foundation, which is supporting the development of a new Bonpo monastery in Mustang, Nepal and the education of 57 children in a hostel in Jomson, Nepal. Both projects are under the guidance of Geshe Sonam, who after completing his geshe degree and serving at Menri monastery, returned to his home in Mustang to support the preservation and flourishing of the Bön tradition there. Geshe Sonam has co-translated and published many important Dzogchen texts, including The Six Lamps, available through Amazon.
Anyone who registers by January 10th can get a $250 discount (either Zoom or in-person) with the code “Six Lamps Special.” About half of the available single rooms are already reserved – we recommend you register soon to be sure to secure your spot. If you have questions you may contact the retreat organizer, Debby Kirkman at debby@mustangbonfoundation.org