Teachers

Elaine Jackson

Elaine Jackson is a founding member of Vajrapani Institute and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1977. She has studied with many of the greatest Buddhist teachers of our time including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and many others too numerous to list. Elaine is known for the warmth and humor with which she teaches. In particular, she loves sharing the wealth of practical insights she has gained from her years of retreat and service within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Elaine served as Executive Director of Vajrapani Institute for over five years and has also completed a three-year meditation retreat. She lives a contemplative life off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz mountains while offering Dharma teachings and meditation support.

Testimonials about Elaine:
“Elaine’s teachings touched me deeply. She embodies the spirit of the teachings.” (Andrea – New Years Retreat 2018)
“Elaine has changed the trajectory of my life.” (Jamie – New Years Retreat 2018)

Events with Elaine Jackson

Vajrayogini Self Initiation - Online
February 11, 2026

  When: February 11 – 3:00PM to 7:00PM (PT) Where: Venerable Angie Muir and Elaine Jackson will lead the Vajrayogini Self Initiation ONLINE via ZOOM. Feel free to make offerings on your personal alter.   Prerequisites: This practice is restricted to those who have completed a Vajrayogini approximation retreat with fire puja.   We will be using the text, The Intermediate Practices of Vajrayogini, published by the FPMT. Please download a copy of the text from the FPMT foundation using the link below:   Download the text here     Since you are joining on Zoom, you will need to…

Lama Yeshe Losar Celebration (in person and online)
February 22, 2026

1:30pm – 3pm Vajrasattva Tsog and Lama Yeshe Stories   Online Only Registration Here    You are warmly invited to join Elaine Jackson for a Losar celebration of the anniversary of Lama Yeshe’s passing into Parinirvana. This event will begin with a Vajrasattva Tsog followed by inspiring storytelling.   Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984) was a beloved Tibetan Buddhist master who played a vital role in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West in the 1970s and 1980s. One of the first Tibetan lamas to teach in the West, he co-founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) with…

Experiential Vajrayogini Retreat
May 21 - 25, 2026

Experience the Living Path of Vajrayogini Learn how Vajrayogini practice reaches its full power when embraced as a living, integrated path—rooted in ethical principles, meditation, and heartfelt engagement. Join Elaine Jackson on a profound journey, where she will share her personal approach and invite a vibrant exchange of insights and experiences. This retreat transcends ritual, offering an opportunity to bring the practice fully into daily life, allowing its subtle yet profound transformative power to awaken clarity, compassion, and insight within.   Elaine has said, “How wonderful that we will meet again to explore our relationship with Vajrayogini. I will share…

New Year's Vajrasattva Practice Retreat
December 29, 2026 - January 1, 2027

Join us for our popular New Year’s Vajrasattva Retreat with Elaine Jackson where we will practice Tibetan Buddhist purification to release old patterns and obstacles and welcome new insights through experiential meditation. No initiations are required to attend this retreat, students of all levels will benefit.    About the Retreat The path to enlightenment is a gradual, proven process whereby one’s mind is transformed to abide in never-ending contentment. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is called wisdom – a deep knowing of reality, as it is, through direct perception. Most of us operate from profound ignorance, a solid misknowing. This ignorance…