Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6654 

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Vajrayogini Retreat
with Elaine Jackson and Don Isaacson
Nov. 28 - Dec. 21

Vajrayogini Mandala


The incomparable Lama Thubten Yeshe said of the Vajrayogini method: “This yoga method is so powerful. In this twentieth century we have super delusion, super sense concrete delusion, and especially grasping onto concrete pleasure – sense pleasure. We do need badly, urgently, a wisdom method to transform it. We have a powerful method to transform it into the divine quality – the Vajrayogini practice. The more delusion, the more the effective is the practice.

The scriptures state that this Tantra is especially effective for practitioners in our degenerate age because it is so swift. If one is able to actualize the Generation Stage, one is guaranteed to attain enlightenment within sixteen lifetimes. It is also said that it is possible to attain enlightenment in seven lifetimes, one lifetime, or even three years.

For practitioners with a Vajrayogini empowerment from a qualified lama and familiarization with the meditations on the Stage of the Path (lam rim), this retreat is an ideal way to immerse yourself in this amazing highest yoga tantra practice. We will go over all the rituals, mudras, and chants. It is a fantastic opportunity for new students of Vajrayogini to learn, and for more advanced students to deepen their practice.

Fortunately, for those who qualify (having already received a Maha Anuttara Tantric empowerment of Heruka, Yamantaka or Ghuyasamaja), the great master, Venerable Choden Rinpoche, will be offering the Vajrayogini empowerment at the Ananda Center: July 11-12 Empowerment; July 17, 18, 19, 24, & 25 Commentary. Please visit their website for information: www.anandadharma.org.

There are two ways that one might undertake this retreat.

Option 1:
To complete the Approximation Retreat, where one recites the required number of mantras and finishes with a Fire Puja. 

Option 2:
To focus on learning how to do the Vajrayogini Sadhana, the chanting, rituals, etc., without focusing on completion of the mantra recitations. This option is especially useful for individuals who are unable to stay for the full retreat.

Regardless of your choice of options, this retreat will NOT be about pushing to recite mantras. Vajrayogini practice is called the "Blissful Path to Bliss." In order to "taste the bliss", one needs a spacious mind, and a spacious mind comes from a sense of peace. Our goal will be to do the practice with a peaceful mind. It is possible, but not mandatory, to complete the required number of mantras in the allotted time.

All attendees must arrive on the first day for the first session: Saturday, November 28th.  Participants may leave early, before the end of the retreat, but they may not then return to the retreat. This serves as a method for preserving the energy for the rest of the participants.

The retreat will end with a Fire Puja on December 21st completing between 3–4:00pm

Practitioners who correctly complete the retreat and fire puja are then empowered to do self-initiations of the deity. Je Pabongkha Rinpoche explains that each self-initiation has the same purification power as 100,000 Vajrasattva mantras well recited.

We will be using the FPMT, English chantable version of the Vajrayogini sadhana by Je Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo entitled, “The Nearing Path to Great Bliss: The Uncommon Means of Attainment of Venerable Vajrayogini Naro Kachö.” Additionally, we will use the original sadhana of Master Naropa known as “Dorje Neljormay Druptap: A Practice for Reaching the Angel of Diamond.”

Sessions will be led by Elaine Jackson and Don Isaacson. Ven. Lhundrup Nyingje will make occasional guest appearances for questions.

Students should bring their ritual items: Vajra, Bell, Damaru, Mala and Inner Offering. (Inner offering will be provided for those who do not have). Please bring your favorite cushion to make your sitting most comfortable.

If you would like some pre-reading, Lama Yeshe’s commentary is available from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive here.

When you register you will need to tell us when and from whom you have received the qualifying empowerment.


Elaine Jackson has been a practitioner and student of Tibetan Buddhism since meeting the incomparable Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in March of 1977. Over the last 30 years she has completed many retreats including 10 month-long solitary retreats. She has received the Vajrayogini Empowerment and/or commentary from the following incredible Masters to whom she is eternally grateful: Lama Thubten Yeshe, Geshe Lobsang Gyatso, Ven. Lati Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, and Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho. She also worked with Ven. George Churinoff and Ven. Lhundrup Nyingje in order to help produce the current FPMT practice manual for Vajrayogini.

She was one of the early founders of Vajrapani Institute, arriving on the land with her family in May of 1977. Living at Vajrapani Institute afforded her the opportunity to receive teachings and initiations from innumerable, most highly revered, Tibetan Masters. Elaine is so pleased to be able to share her experience and knowledge with us in a place that is so dear to her.


Don has been studying Dharma for about 10 years. He is currently studying the five year on line Masters Program through Lama Tzong Khapa Institute in Italy. He has received Vajrayogini empowerment from Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Choden Rinpoche. Don completed the Vajrayogini approximation retreat at Vajrapani Institute in 2006.


CLICK HERE FOR A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE


Vajrayogini Retreat    
Nov 28-Dec 21    
Nights: 23  
     
Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)    
 
Non-Member
Member
   
10%
Camping
N/A
N/A
Main Dormitory
$1,771.00
$1,593.90
Semi Private Dormitory*
$1,851.50
$1,666.35
     
Private Room (single)
$2,415.00
$2,173.50
Private Room (double)
$2,173.50
$1,956.15
Cabin (single)
$2,737.00
$2,463.30
Most Secret
$3,220.00
$2,898.00
     
     
Scholarship Application Deadline:   October 28th

* Ordained monks/nuns stay in the Semi-Private Dorm. Lay people may register for this housing option, with the understanding that they may need to switch to the Main Dorm option if an ordained person registers.

NOTE: The fees listed here reflect a 30% reduction from our regular fee schedule. We have subsidized these retreat fees in order to support our community in doing longer retreat. This discount does not apply to partial attendance. Please contact office for per day fees.


No one will be turned away for lack of funds

Click here for details regarding financial aid

Click Here for Course and Registration General Info

Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship may still be availiable for this course. Click here for more information about the Course Manager position.