Vajra Hall, Khandroling, Buckland, Massachusetts, USA

Wed, July 17 thru Wed, July 24th, 2024

Listening to the Shitro teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

What a wonderful and inspiring retreat.  The powerful energy for this retreat was clearly foreshadowed by two spectacular thunderstorms with wind and driving rain during the first two days of events.  Loud thunder and lightening dramatically punctuated the kickoff Guru Rinpoche Ganapuja on Tuesday, followed by a similar spectacular backdrop for the first teaching session of the Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings. Wow! I thought that I had come for the Dharma but had not expected so much drama!  The rest of the SSR did not disappoint.

The energy of all the events and practices was dynamic and extraordinary.  It felt great to see so many long-time practitioners with their wealth and depth of wisdom and practice experience.  The same for meeting so many relatively new practitioners with sincere interest and a refreshing desire to learn.  It felt almost impossible to attend all the events that were on the schedule each day because there were so many great opportunities.

Paula Barry leading complete breathing practice

Vajra Dance of the Dance that Benefits Sentient Beings Course with Carisa O’Kelly and Bodhi Krause

Michael Katz guiding chöd

Naomi (left) and Vicki leading Yantra Yoga

It felt best to try to work with circumstances and select those things that one had enough time and energy to pursue.  I felt very fortunate to be able to sample a wide variety of everything including the daily replays of Rinpoche’s 2016 Shitro Retreat, Yantra Yoga and breathing sessions with Paula Barry, Vicki Sidley (newly authorized) and Naomi Zeitz, special teachings presented by Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo and Michael Katz, Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings teachings by Carisa O’Kelly and and Bodhi Krause.

Especially moving and energizing were the memorial service for Robert Derr, the Auction, the BBQ and of course the Ganapujas that included the Dance of the Song of Vajra!  Altogether it was a fantastic and delightful retreat that deeply benefited not only all who attended but all sentient beings!  A deep bow of gratitude to Rinpoche and to the vast team of practitioners at Tsegyalgar East who did so much to plan and implement this wonderful retreat.  May it be auspicious!

Best wishes  —  Doug Doerr, Dondrubling, Dzogchen Community West Coast