Blog

A Love Letter to Differences

A Love Letter to Differences

I slip on a gift from my partner Jim... a green reflective vest with the little flashlight in its pocket. We live near a state park and rush hour traffic on the road I walk along to reach it each evening is fierce. He wants the cards stacked in my ...
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Joyfully Relaxing In the Unknown: Lessons I've Learned Working at Vajrapani Institute

Joyfully Relaxing In the Unknown: Lessons I’ve Learned Working at Vajrapani Institute

"Life is far too important to be taken seriously." I love this quote by Oscar Wilde. Lately it's been coming to mind as I transition away from the familiar into the unknown. It's at these times the worrying mind can persist, but I see more and more that worry wastes ...
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Celebrating Mutual Love and Affection: Denali and Cindie

Celebrating Mutual Love and Affection: Denali and Cindie

We asked mother and daughter, Cindie and Denali, some questions about their life and experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what they had to say about the qualities that lead them to rejoice and the lessons they have learned here. What do you most celebrate about your mother? Denali: I ...
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Celebrating Empathy and Connection: Kamala

Celebrating Empathy and Connection: Kamala

We asked Kamala, 16, some questions about her life and her experience at Vajrapani Institute. Kamala has been attending Family Camp annually since she was 5 years old. This is what she had to say about the qualities that lead her to rejoice and the lessons she has learned here ...
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Rejoicing in Humility and Shared Values: Aden

Rejoicing in Humility and Shared Values: Aden

We asked Aden, 14 years old, one of our long time retreaters who has been coming to Family Camp since he was 5, some questions about his life and his experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what he had to say about the qualities that lead him to rejoice and ...
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Celebrating Flexibility and Balance at Once: Judith

Celebrating Flexibility and Balance at Once: Judith

We asked one of our long time retreaters, Judith, some questions about her life and her experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what she had to say about the qualities that lead her to rejoice and the lessons she has learned here. What is it you most celebrate about yourself? ...
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Rejoicing in Reflection and Sharing Your Gifts: Nina

Rejoicing in Reflection and Sharing Your Gifts: Nina

<We asked our former Kitchen Manager, Nina, some questions about her life and her experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what she had to say about the qualities that lead her to rejoice and the lessons she has learned here. What is it you most celebrate about yourself? Why that? ...
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Rejoicing in the Extraordinary, Inexpressible X: Ven. Jangchup

Rejoicing in the Extraordinary, Inexpressible X: Ven. Jangchup

We asked our resident monk, Ven. Jangchup, some questions about his life and his experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what he had to say about the qualities that lead him to rejoice and the lessons he has learned here. What is it you most celebrate about yourself? It was ...
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Finding Opportunity and Community: Venerable Drolma

Finding Opportunity and Community: Venerable Drolma

We asked our former resident Sangha member, Ven. Drolma, some questions about her life and experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what she had to say about the qualities that lead her to rejoice and the lessons she learned here. What's the most precious thing Vajrapani Institute has given you? ...
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Rejoicing in Drive While Finding Ease and Acceptance: Dave

Rejoicing in Drive While Finding Ease and Acceptance: Dave

We asked our Land Manager, Dave, some questions about his life and his experience at Vajrapani Institute. This is what he had to say about the qualities that lead him to rejoice and the lessons he has learned here. What is it you most celebrate about yourself? It's hard to ...
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Upcoming Retreats

Online: Bodhicitta, Mind Training and Mahamudra

Venerable René Feusi

May 9 - November 7, 2023
ZOOM CLASS ONLY When Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:45am (Pacific Time) Begins Tuesday May 9 and will repeat every Tuesday for several months (ending date TBD)     Hosting & Registration Please note this program is being advertised here but hosted by some volunteers outside of Vajrpani Institute.  To register simply fill out the google form at this Registration Link. Once you register you will be added to the email list and the zoom link will be sent out through that list.  Additionally, a reminder will be sent before the session with information on how to access the Zoom meeting. Please…

Six Session Guru Yoga

Bhikshuni Lozang Yönten

July 7 - 9, 2023
The six-session yoga practice is a way of helping us to fulfill our commitments from anuttarayoga tantra initiation, by reminding us of the vows that we’ve taken and also the nineteen samaya to make a close connection with the five Buddha-families, which deal with the various aspects of Buddha-nature.   The Six Session Guru Yoga practice is given to those who have taken a highest yoga tantra empowerment — with the mandate to do it for life. But why is this practice so important, and how do we keep it alive and fresh day after day, year after year?  …

Vajrapani Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition www.FPMT.org