Listening, Reflecting and Moving Forward

The retreat with Yeshi Namkhai is over. For months, ever since we learned that there would be a retreat, we would meet, in presence and on zoom, trying to imagine what it would be like, how to organize ourselves, and what kind of response we could expect from the Community.

We had as a basis the blueprints of the many very popular retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, but the situation was not the same, for so many reasons, and so we tried to use our imagination and common sense. We helped each other and asked for help from practitioners who had been involved in the organization in the past… in short, it was a fantastic and exciting challenge. We knew everyone’s eyes were on us, and we tried to do our best.

The retreat was exceptional and although the weather was inclement, with almost continuous rain for all six days, it did not affect the joy of all the participants in the slightest. The rain, a mere detail, was almost insignificant.

Everyone’s fatigue and commitment were no less real, however; without wishing to forget or underestimate the work of none of the almost one hundred karmayogis who brought this event to life, with their great commitment.

Now we have all taken a moment to reflect, to recover from the physical and emotional exhaustion that such an intense Teaching retreat always brings. Such an essential Transmission and Teaching gives us all the opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of the Dzogchen Community to which we belong. And now?

It is not easy to say what expectations were placed on this retreat, certainly different from person to person. But the fact remains that we listened to Yeshi Namkhai’s Teachings with emotion and with the knowledge that we were all immersed in the Transmission, in the continuation of what Chögyal Namkhai Norbu taught for almost fifty years.

Listening is the first step, followed by reflection, which will be individual and collective and will take a period of time that cannot be foreseen; however, we have received clear and precious indications, on practice and on our being a Community. We hope that these reflections will be fruitful and bring an incentive and the joy to move forward in practice and to manifest its fruits in the world of which we are a part.

At Merigar we will model our programmes of activities in accordance with what we have understood from the words of Yeshi Namkhai; we will seek to enhance the enormous legacy of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu preserved in the Merigar Archives, making it available in an organic and coherent manner.

We will continue to give value to Merigar’s resources by making them more productive and making Merigar more and more beautiful, autonomous and enjoyable for all. We will put ourselves at the service of all those who wish to share our values and to follow this path of personal growth with us.

Merigar Gakyil

MERIGAR SUMMER PROGRAM OF EVENTS

June

June 16 6:30pm Library Talks – The Discovery of a Sanctuary

June 17-18 A weekend of Dance on the Mandala

June 23-25 Breathe Seminar with Fabio Andrico

June 24 Merigar General Assembly

June 27-July 2 Breathe Teacher Training with Fabio Andrico

July

July 16-22 Khaita Training Week, with Adriana Dal Borgo (open to all those who have a basic knowledge of Khaita joyful dances)

July 24-30 Meeting and supervision of Yantra Yoga, with Fabio Andrico and Laura Evangelisti

July 28-30 Sa-chad (Tibetan Geomancy) with Migmar Tsering

July 28-30 Tibetan Ku Nye massage on the chair course (open to all)

August

August 1-5 Yoga holidays: possible paths. Paths of Yoga and Meditation in Merigar

August 3 5PM Vajra Dance of 12 A, with Adriana Dal Borgo

August 5-11 The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga – Teacher Training with Fabio Andrico

August 6 A day dedicated to activities for children

August 9 – 13 Introduction to the study and practice of the 1st Level of Santi Maha Sangha, with a focus on the instructions on the practice of Contemplation and on behavior, with Fabio Maria Risolo

August 11-15 Meditation Retreat, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance and Khaita Joyous Dances (open to all)

August 16-20 Retreat with videos of Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Teachings; The Song of the Vajra

August 16-20 Astrology and the Mandala of the elements with Migmar Tsering

August 18-20 Course on The Dance of the Vajra for for the Benefit of Beings (open to all)

August 21-Sept 10 Training for Translators from Tibetan

August 23 – 28 Retreat of Contemplation practices, with a focus on Rushen, with Enzo Terzano and Monica Gentile

August 26-27 Khaita Joyful Dance Course (open to all)

August 28 – September 3 Preliminaries and the First Series of Yantra Yoga, with Laura Evangelisti (open to all those who already have a basic knowledge of Yantra Yoga)