Dear All, Near and Far,
Ever wondered what it feels like when Merigar East comes alive?
Let us take you on a little journey through our recent adventures.
We gathered at Merigar East to follow online The Dzogchen Teachings with Yeshi Namkhai from June 20-27, with participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova. At the very same time, we prepped the Gönpa for the Thangka Exhibition. And on June 30, Elias Capriles took the stage, both online and onsite, unraveling the meanings behind this sacred art. Missed it? Don’t worry, here’s your chance to catch up here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhVDfmmAwsw.
Not to be outdone, “Zernga: The Five Principal Points” retreat with Elias Capriles followed. This retreat, available both online and onsite, allowed participants from all over to connect and deepen their practice, sharing insights and experiences.
Our journey continued with Zoli Cser, who led the retreat on the Guruyoga of the White A and Vajra Dance. We danced on the mandala inside the Gönpa and let the evening sunsets cradle our movements on the outdoor mandala. Ever felt the sun’s last rays enhance your state of contemplation? It’s something you have to feel to believe!
On July 21, in Bucharest, Oliver Leick also presented “The Way to Understand Nature and Oneself: A Brief Insight into Eastern and Western Philosophy.” If you missed it, you can watch the presentation here: https://youtu.be/hi87tpH__rg.
Then, from July 23 to August 4, Gabriella Schneider, Oliver Leick, and Martina Krejcova led us through a two-week retreat that was nothing short of magical. Together, we explored and refined key secondary practices: Guru Yoga of the White A, Ganapuja, Thun, Green Tara, and even more. And, of course, what’s a retreat without joyful Khaita dances and the Dance of the 12 A? These retreat days were filled with insights, joy, community bonding, and meaningful reflection, whether around the fire pit, on the beach, or in the Multifun House. A big heartfelt thanks to Gabriella, Oliver, and Martina for filling Merigar East with so much Joy, Love, and Inspiration!
August brought even more excitement with Fabio Andrico’s much-awaited retreat “The Secret Rushen practice and Yantra Yoga Tsalung.” Yes, it was challenging. But every moment was worth it! Those who attended can attest to the intensity of these sessions. Fabio’s precise guidance had us pushing boundaries we didn’t even know existed. We discovered the nuances of these profound practices and were inspired to push (and relax) our limits.
By now, you might be wondering, “How do they keep going with such an intense lineup?” Well, we ask ourselves the same thing sometimes! But truth be told, it’s the spirit of everyone here – instructors, participants, and visitors – that keeps Merigar East vibrant and alive.
A special thanks to all our instructors – your efforts to bring greater understanding of Rinpoche’s teachings to all of us make a meaningful impact!
This summer, we were delighted to welcome practitioners from Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Czech Republic, USA, and.. did I miss anyone? It just goes to show that reaching the seemingly unreachable Merigar East is not so hard after all!
We rounded off our summer with a Lungta Workshop, and what a finale it was! We had some of the most incredible volunteers join us, making every effort possible. And we know you’re curious, so go ahead and take a look at some of the photos we’ve shared from these events – they’re just a glimpse into the fun we’ve had. For more, don’t forget to visit our social media pages or subscribe to our newsletter!
Now, here’s the part where we say – we’d love for you to be part of this journey too! Whether you’re interested in joining us as a Gakyil member, assistant, project manager, or have any ideas, suggestions, or just want to chat, drop us a line at [email protected].
We’re always excited to hear from you!
With warm thoughts and love from Merigar East to each of you!
