August 28-September 13, 2026

Teachers: Sarale Lidzas, Justin Hudgins, Bodhi Krause, Carisa O’Kelly, and Kyu Kyuno

At the annual Vajra Dance retreat, Dance, Dance, Dance that takes place each year at the Mandala Hall on the special land of Khandroling in Western Massachusetts, USA, participants arrived from all over the world – Japan, France, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Michigan, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire and California. Five teachers spent a dedicated 17 days, with one day off, teaching and practicing all the various forms of the Vajra Dance: The Vajra Dance of the Unborn [12 A’s], The Vajra Dance for the Liberation of Sentient Beings, The Vajra Dance of the Three Vajras, and the The Vajra Dance of Space, Khalong Dorje Kar. The section on Khalong Dorje Kar included Zoom instruction from Prima Mai. 

A special feature was a Simultaneous Dance on the two types of Mandalas of the Dance of the Song of the Vajra on the Earth Mandala and Khalong mandalas to Khalongdorjekar music.

For the most part the weather was friendly and as always the dedication and attention to detail and the needs of the participants shown by the teachers made the overall experience of the dancers joyful, warm and satisfying. 

Please consider joining the annual event at the only Universal Mandala to date in the entire international Dzogchen Community! 

For more information contact: secretary@tsegyalgar.org

Reflections of the Dance, Dance, Dance

This year’s Dance Dance Dance took place, as it does every year these years, from late August to mid-September at the Mandala Hall at Khandroling.

It was an intensive two-week course covering all the Vajra Dances—including 3 Vajra, Dance for All Sentient Beings, 12 A, and Khalong Dorjekha—and, true to its name, it was two weeks of non-stop dancing; well, actually, we also enjoyed BBQ, etc.,.

Being able to enjoy this gathering is thanks first and foremost to Rinpoche for bestowing the teachings; to the instructors (Justin, Sarale, Bodhi, Carisa and Kyu) who carried on that vision and taught us with deep focus despite their fatigue; to the Gakyil for organizing and running the event; to my best friends, who personally invited me to this course and supported me in every way; and to everyone who cooperated with a smile.

Autumn at Khandroling brings some cold days, and while a few people fell ill along the way, it was auspicious that we were able to bring the retreat to a safe and successful close.

This was my second time visiting Khandroling. Having the precious opportunity  in this place to reconnect with old friends, as well as meet people who I discovered for the first time this year or met through visiting Khandroling, was truly special.

For me, Dzogchen is life itself. Yet, much to my embarrassment, amidst busy and stressful daily lives, I often find myself nearly forgetting how to practice its essence. Dance Dance Dance at Khandroling is one of the best opportunities for me to recall the teachings given by our maestros and to remember teachings such as the example of the mirror and relaxing.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have visited this place and to have shared this time with everyone who participated.

Within samsara, everyone suffers. Precisely because everyone carries strong feelings and deep experiences, it was so inspiring to witness how everyone strives to put Rinpoche’s words into practice: “work with circumstances.”

I am so grateful to have had such an opportunity.

I hope there will be other opportunities like this, and if the chances arise, I would love to meet even more people beyond everyone who participated this time.

Stay safe and see you soon,

Niji from Japan