Part 1 July 4-10, 2026 and featured photo Part 2, August 22-28, 2026
Initiated and compiled by Anton Rutkovskyi
Dance of the Song of the Vajra course at Dzamling Gar
This summer a course on the Dance of the Song of the Vajra was held at Dzamling Gar under the guidance of Ludmila Kislichenko. It was given in two parts, the first in July and the second in August, and it brought together practitioners from many different parts of the world: some stepping onto the mandala for the first time, others returning to deepen what they already knew, one of them arriving all the way from Tashigar South.
We compiled this material using the words participants shared afterwards, as we believe they beautifully capture the many wonderful experiences of the course and reflect their deep gratitude to Luda for her immeasurable patience and kindness, as well as for her clear guidance and instructions.
Carlotta
Having attended the first part in July and now completing the second part, learning the Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra has been a truly beautiful journey. Immersing myself in this profound practice over these months has been deeply moving, made all the more special by our teacher, Luda. Her extraordinary patience, grace, and guiding presence made the entire experience unforgettable. I loved every moment of it and feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to deepen my practice.
Eva
The Vajra Dances, as transmitted by our Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, are an extraordinary teaching whose value is beyond words. From my very first encounter with them, they have given me the opportunity to gain direct experience through body, sound, and collective practice, and to enter into a state of presence.
During this one-week course, I had the good fortune to learn the pawo steps and to deepen my overall understanding of the dance. I did my best to follow Luda’s advice to “pass through space” as much as possible, while at the same time trying not to confuse the colors, foot points, and arm movements — or accidentally crash into a pamo or pawo along the way!
I would like to thank Luda from the bottom of my heart for her knowledgeable guidance and angelic patience. She made this precious teaching accessible to all of us, answering our questions again and again, and created an atmosphere of kindness and harmony. Thank you also to the other pamos and pawos for sharing the experience!
Tanya
The Vajra Dance course guided by Luda was intense, profound and highly effective. The ability of the teacher to remain calm, transparent, and deeply aligned with the knowledge and practice of the dance created a strong and inspiring environment.
I was especially impressed by Luda’s individual approach to each student, regardless of the challenges or obstacles everyone encountered throughout the course. She was consistently supportive, understanding and attentive, creating a clear and purifying space in which everyone could work through their difficulties and complete the course.
What touched me most was Luda’s ability to bring the knowledge to life — not simply as something to understand intellectually, but as something to experience and embody through the dance. This made the course a truly unique opportunity and a meaningful journey for me.
Thank you, Luda, for your dedication, wisdom, patience, and for sharing this knowledge with us in such an authentic way. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of this wonderful experience.
Olya
What incredible gratitude at the end of the Vajra Dance course! My sincere admiration goes to our instructor Ludmila — the sensitivity with which she guided us and brought us together, the respect and patience with which she showed the movements again and again and corrected us. I have come away with an enormous inspiration to keep practicing, and now to practice by dancing!
Jordi
I feel deeply grateful to Luda for this wonderful course she has offered us, sharing her teachings with such depth and giving such wonderful attention and care to each and every student, adapting to our individual needs.
I would also like to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I have felt from this beautiful group, made up of people from so many different parts of the world, and for the great interest and dedication everyone has shown in the practice.
Malena
I came from Tashigar South and had the good fortune to continue learning about this beautiful practice. Although I already had some prior experience with the Vajra Dance, experiencing it at Dzamling Gar under Luda’s guidance was an unexpected gift. The combination of dedication, patience, clear explanations, and the transmission of the teaching left a deep impression on me. Her ability to balance the group’s needs and provide each person with exactly what they require to keep evolving in the dance reflects not only her vast experience but also her love for the teachings. It inspires me to keep deepening my practice and learning more. Thank you so much, Luda, for everything!
Violetta
The course was simply extraordinary. Several things made a deep impression on me.
The first is Luda’s softness, lightness and fluidity — she literally floats across the mandala, whatever part she happens to be dancing. My enormous thanks to her for her patience, her responsiveness and her genuine wish to teach us.
The second is the way the mandala and the lines we dance find their reflection in reality. Of course I was not able to see all of it, but at times what Luda explained and what we danced, I would then notice in my own life. It really is a very deep practice.
The third is that I would like to thank all the participants. Over these two weeks I had the feeling that while we were learning the dance, we somehow became closer to one another.
And finally I thank each and every person — I know that many were involved — who took part in organizßing and running the retreat.
