Summer Sangha Retreat at Tsegyalgar East 2026

Summer Sangha Retreat 2026 in the Land of the Dakinis | Khandroling & Tsegyalgar East

By Katya Kuzmitskaya

Featured photo above of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teaching by Doug Doerr

From July 23rd to August 2nd, the Tsegyalgar East Community held the annual Summer Sangha Retreat, with a rich program of many wonderful activities to help participants experience different flavors of the teachings transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Namkhai Yeshi.

About 40 people were present in-person, and 50 people joined online, among which were many Russian-speaking practitioners, who were able to participate thanks to Stas Davydov and Anna Olefir who generously offered Russian translation.

This retreat was dedicated to the practice of Green Tara, so we connected with Rinpoche by watching the Green Tara teachings he gave over 8 days in North Kunsangar in 2013, on Green Tara terma of Adzom Drugpa containing methods of Yogatantra, Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga.

Dr. Phuntsog was leading Green Tara practice almost every day, supported by Naomi Zeitz and Paula Barry on the days when she had to urgently travel to fulfill her commitment as a Tibetan doctor.

Every afternoon, Carisa O’Kelly and Bodhi Krause taught the first part of the Dance of the Song of the Vajra Course, with patience, joy, and relaxed presence giving people the opportunity to learn or refresh the steps of this profound Dzogchen practice.

At the end of the days, Naomi Zeitz and Paula Barry guided practitioners in 2-hour beginners’ sessions of Yantra Yoga, teaching with precision and humor, the 9 Breathings, Tsijong, Lungsang, and Rhythmic Breathing, both on the mat and on a chair.

During the retreat, we also had three special events.

In the morning of July 31st, we held a memorial event for Jim Valby, an extraordinary practitioner, SMS teacher, translator, and dear friend. Close people shared stories and poems, and when we played a short excerpt of Jim’s teachings, his voice was met with sudden and strong rain. The rain and sun continued to dance with each other as Dr. Phuntsog started a ceremony of spreading Jim’s ashes on the land of Khandroling in four directions, with the mantra of the purification of the elements recited by all for at least 30 minutes. The procession then went to the thögyal cabin, where the ceremony ended, leaving us with Jim’s presence.

On August 1st, we had a special morning dedicated to sound in Dzogchen, creating opportunities to connect with what Namkhai Yeshi has been teaching.  Oleg Troyanovsky, SMS teacher, musician, and composer, came from New York with his family to offer a lecture ‘Hearing Disappearance: Dzogchen, Sound, Silence, and Attention’ refreshing the knowledge of instant presence through unique explanations and sound practice.

After that, we listened to Namkhai Yeshi’s acousmatic composition ATI MONLAM in surround sound organized in the Tsegyalgar Gönpa by Bodhi Krause. 

During the retreat, we also held a BBQ and Auction where many precious items were offered for bidding, and thanks to generous donors we were able to collect the funds that are essential to continue maintaining the Gar and the land, and offer more opportunities for practice.

The retreat ended with Short Ganapuja with Marme Monlam and Dance of the Song of the Vajra on Universal mandala, a closing gratitude speech, and Khaita Joyful Dances with Katya Kuzmitskaya. 

The retreat was possible because of the continued collaboration of dedicated local people and members coming from afar, generously giving their energy and taking care of each other in a continuous flow.

We are grateful to Rinpoche for the sound of his teachings alive in us beyond time and space and for the colorful mandala of the community with all our unique gifts and capacities that made this retreat possible for the benefit of all beings.

We hope you come and visit Tsegyalgar East and Khandroling or join our activities online!