Tibetan Nyingma Institute Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World

Each course is an integral part of one of our seven Certificate Programs and we recommend that all those interested in attending courses register for one of these programs, each of which offers a focused educational opportunity to master an aspect of our curriculum. It is also possible to attend individual courses for which you meet the prerequisites as an auditor.

Following each course description is the name of the Certificate Program or Programs that the course is part of (in parentheses). Clicking on the Program name will take you to a full description of the Program.

Please note that the Nyingma Institute’s application for approval to operate has not yet been reviewed by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Buddhist Studies and Practices

DHS202 Transmitting Insight; Penetrating Illusion

Tuesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM (March 23 - May 27)

At every moment we receive messages transmitted from our body, from our mind, and from the world around us.  These messages form the basis of all that we know and do.  The Buddha's teachings bring our attention to how the senses operate and how knowledge of ourselves and the world develops.  This course specifically looks at the process of transmitting and receiving information from the body, mind, and world.  Abhidharma and Mind Training (Lojong) teachings provide the textual basis for this course.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $360. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Jack Petranker.

DHS211 Buddhist Studies Tutorial: Mother of the Buddhas

Tuesdays, 8—9:30 PM (March 23- May 25)

The Sutras on transcendent perfected wisdom (Prajnaparamita), honored as the "Mother of the Buddhas," bring forth and nourish the enlightening path and the ultimate awakening of a Buddha.  Like the closely related teachings of the MIddle Way, these Sutras are at once the highest wisdom and the most effective logical training for wisdom.  Key sections from the Prajnaparamita Sutra in Eight-Thousand Lines for the basis for this course.

(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program; Path and Practices of Liberation Program)

Cost: $200. Instructor: Barr Rosenberg.  Based on Lex Hixon's Mother of the Buddhas.

Nyingma Meditation

The practice of Nyingma Meditation leads to serenity and insight. Courses provide instruction in meditation techniques and support for daily practice.

MED103 Beginning Meditation: Calm and Clear

Morning Session: Tuesdays, 10-11:30 AM (March 23—May 25)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 8-9:30 PM (March 25—May 27)

Meditation both calms the mind and leads to insight. Students learn how to foster both through clear, simple instructions for beginning or revitalizing a meditation practice. The focus is on the process that leads to insight and overcomes resistance.
(Beginning Nyingma Meditation Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Robin Caton (mornings); Olivia Hurd (evenings). For beginners and those wishing to review basic techniques.

MED203 Intermediate Meditation: Meditations to Open the Heart

Morning Session: Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM (March 24—May 26)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 8-9:30 PM (March 25—May 27)

Genuine satisfaction, love, and beauty are found within the heart. Silent and guided meditations open the heart to feeling. Students develop new integrity and balance.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Jack Petranker (mornings); Hugh Joswick (evenings). Prerequisite: one year of meditation experience.

MED207 The Deepening Stream

Wednesdays, 8—9:30 PM (March 24—May 26)

This course presents meditative practices that “unfreeze” stuck places, allowing inner energy to flow. The goal is to move beyond the polarity of fascination and anxiety into an integrated awareness.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Bob Byrne. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Openness Mind. Prerequisite: two years of meditation experience.

MED303 Advanced Meditation: The Real Human Challenge

Mondays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 22—May 24)

Mind has the power to free itself of its conditioning, to generate vast and magnificent thoughts, and to bring into being accomplishments of lasting value to all beings. -Tarthang Tulku, Teachings from the Heart

Although we may accomplish much in the world, “mind” can remain an illusive companion. Invisible, yet powerful, mind molds our way of being. The real human challenge is to penetrate the outer veils of consciousness so that mind reveals itself. Through developing relaxed, yet dynamic awareness, meditations in this course open the gates to direct knowledge of mind.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $200. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Teachings from the Heart and selected readings from the Tibetan tradition. Prerequisite: three years of meditation experience and consent of the instructor.

Nyingma Psychology and Practices

Nyingma psychology and practices offer unique insight into the human situation and innovative ways to ease emotional discomfort.

NPS101 Healing Mind *

Mondays, 8—9:30 PM (March 22—May 24)

We develop the ability to recognize and question the negative impact of even the assumptions we hold of ourselves and others. Observing how inner narratives arise and disappear, we disentangle ourselves from judgment and manipulation. Our hearts are nourished as we integrate these insights with joy and compassion. We resolve to honor and protect our deepest aspirations.
(Nyingma Psychology Program)

Cost: $200, which includes the workshop “Self-Image” on April 24. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Erika Rosenberg. New students may join this quarter only with consent of the instructors.

NPS101 Healing Mind (daytime session) *

Thursdays, Noon—1:30 PM (March 25—May 27)

The daytime program mirrors the Healing Mind evening course, exploring mind and giving students the tools to transform negative emotions, thoughts, and conditioning.
(Nyingma Psychology Program)

Cost: $200, which includes the workshop “Self-Image” on April 24. Instructors: Robin Caton assisted by Sylvia Gretchen. New students may join this quarter only with consent of the instructors.

KOF103 Penetrating the Dynamic of Pain

Tuesdays, 8:00—9:30 PM (March 23—May 25)

Everything we need for an unparalleled renaissance of human well-being is in place. The whole field of consciousness lies before us, awaiting exploration. Our knowledge is like a nugget of unwrought gold; on the anvil of our questioning mind we can work it into a golden sphere of unequaled beauty. -Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom

If we allow ourselves the freedom to question and observe our experience, we discover new dimensions and approaches that will enrich our lives and prepare us for the changes to come. This course teaches us to use the mind as an “inner laboratory” where we can penetrate the dynamic of pain to reveal the endless riches of knowledge.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Tom Morse. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Knowledge of Freedom.

NPR106 Symbols in Tibetan Sacred Art

Mondays, 6:15-7:45 PM (March 22—April 19)

The images of Tibetan art summon from deep within our hearts a fully enlightened response to the divine world they portray. -Tarthang Tulku, founder of the Nyingma Institute.

Tibetan art has been described as a science: each image and color speaks a symbolic language that guides the viewer to deeply positive states of mind and being. This course introduces the elegant proportions and symbolic meanings of Tibetan paintings.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $90. Instructor: Rosalyn White. This 5-week course is suitable for all levels of students.

Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga)

The gentle movement, massage, and breathing practices of Kum Nye promote physical and emotional health as they bridge the gap between the material and the spiritual.

KNR102 Beginning Kum Nye: Working with Lower Body Energy *

Wednesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 24—May 26)

This course presents Kum Nye exercises that energize the belly, hips, legs, and spine. Bringing awareness to the lower part of the body counteracts the tendency to focus on thoughts and personality, allowing us to reconnect to the vitality of full embodiment.
(Kum Nye [Tibetan Yoga] Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Jack van der Meulen. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Tibetan Yoga.

KNR202 Intermediate Kum Nye: Balancing and Integrating Body and Mind

Wednesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 24—May 26)

Exercises that allow feelings and sensations to flow more freely within and between body and mind help students reach a natural state of balance.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Donna Morton. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Kum Nye. Prerequisite: one year of Kum Nye practice.

KNR301 Advanced Kum Nye: Focus on the Senses

Mondays, 8—9:30 PM (March 22—May 24)

Advanced Kum Nye practice reaches inward toward subtle aspects of embodiment. Exercising mind and senses through harmonizing breath, awareness, and feeling leads naturally to serenity and insight. This course focuses especially on the senses.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Santosh Philip. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Joy of Being. Prerequisite: two years of Kum Nye practice.

KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye

Sundays, 10 AM—noon (every Sunday)

Reawaken a spirit of ease and appreciation through gentle Tibetan Yoga practices that relax and rejuvenate. Each session includes movement, massage, and breathing exercises.
(Kum Nye [Tibetan Yoga] Program)

Cost: $15 per session. Instructors: Jack van der Meulen, Santosh Philip, and the Kum Nye staff. This drop-in class is for all levels of students.

Skillful Means

“We need a new philosophy of work based on greater human understanding, respect for ourselves and others, and an awareness of the qualities and skills which create peace in the world: communication, cooperation, responsibility.”  -Tarthang Tulku, Skillful Means

SKM102 Achieving All Goals

Wednesdays, 8-9:30 PM (March 24—May 26)

Skillful Means transforms the obstacles of daily life into opportunities for change, growth, and accomplishment. This course teaches how to reorient our efforts so that the pressures and challenges of work become a fruitful spiritual practice.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Dave Abercrombie and Tom Mead.

Time, Space, and Knowledge

TSK103 Inviting Knowledge

Tuesdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 23—May 25)

Creative and responsive, embodied knowledge manifests as clarity, subtle appreciation, and confidence. This course invites knowledge into experience through introspective practice, readings from the books of Tarthang Tulku’s TSK vision, and honest inquiry.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Tom Morse and Ken McKeon.

Tibetan Language

TIB103 Beginning Tibetan, Level III

Thursdays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 25—May 27)

Continuing instruction in classical Tibetan with selected readings.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Mark Henderson. Prerequisite: TIB102 or consent of the instructor

TIB203 Intermediate Tibetan, Level III

Fridays, 6:15—7:45 PM (March 26—May 28)

Readings illustrate the different styles of Tibetan literature.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructor: Mark Henderson. Prerequisite: TIB202 or consent of the instructor.

TIB301 Tibetan Tutorial

Fridays, 4:30—5:45 PM (March 26—May 28)

Ongoing reading and translation of Tibetan texts.
(Two-Year Nyingma Studies Program)

Cost: $180. Instructors: Barr Rosenberg and Sylvia Gretchen. Prerequisite: consent of the instructors.

Courses or workshops marked with an asterisk * meet the qualifications for continuing education credit for MFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider: Nyingma Institute #2513.

For Continuing Education Credit Classes see: Continuing Legal Education Program – MCLEP certified workshops for lawyers and MFT &LCSW Workshops – CEU credits for health care workers.