Photo by Sabina Ragaini
The only thing that was missing during the days of the June retreat at Merigar West was a hot summer sun to heat the Gar. Going down the hill to the Gonpa in the cool of the morning, you could already smell the sang offering to remind us that the Master would soon arrive for teaching. A great many people came to follow the retreat from both Italy and other countries.
Retreat activities started early in the morning at 8 with the Yantra Yoga. At 10 every day there was teaching with the Master. In the afternoon the Shang Shung Institute gave guided tours to present the archive, the library, photography and Kunye courses. On Sunday afternoon Elio Guarisco introduced the new Italian translation of “The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Awakening Upon Dying” published by Shang Shung Editions and in the evening there was a showing of the documentary film “Grande Fortuna in Bhutan” on Rinpoche’s travels in Bhutan accompanied by many practitioners last September.
Izabela Jaroszewska presenting the photography workshop
For newcomers, there were presentations of the Community, of Merigar, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance and information on the books published by Shang Shung Editions. Every day at 5 pm there were Khaita dances included in the official program of the retreat. All these activities were organized in a harmonious way, giving everyone the chance to follow the different events during the day, depending on their interests.
The main theme of the retreat was the teaching of “Longsal Ati Nezer”. The Master talked mainly of basic and essential aspects of Dzogchen, and added, as in every retreat, also new concepts.
Photo by Nikol Stanisova
As in Tenerife this past winter, necklaces made personally by the Master were auctioned also at Merigar so that other funds were collected for the Dzamlingar Gonpa. A third of the people present at the retreat were newcomers, confirming the trend of recent years of the participation of more and more people in the teaching retreats of the Master. Of course there was no lack of opportunities to meet with the Sangha, such as the barbecue at the Yellow House where practitioners who had not met for some time were able to get together.
Retreats at Merigar are always a great experience, and this one in particular. We look forward to the return of the Master in August and we hope that many of you have the opportunity to participate.
Matteo Maglietti
