Tibetan Nyingma Institute Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World

Most Winter Courses have closed their enrollment for the quarter. Those courses that you may still join on a drop-in basis are highlighted in red. The fee for drop-in courses is $18 per session, or $15 per session for the Sunday morning Kum Nye.

Buddhist Studies

DHS201 An Awakened Vision of Being

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 5 – March 11)

This course is a journey into the Buddha’s vision of what embodiment means. Students will explore the teachings of the Buddhist Abhidharma, be introduced to the life-story of the Buddha and the symbolism of the form of the Buddha as presented in traditional art and sculpture, and recognize the stages on the Buddhist path.

$360. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Jack Petranker. Students are encouraged to attend the associated workshops “Visions of Enlightenment” on January 22-23 and “Faith in Dharma” on February 19-20. Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings.

DHS211 Buddhist Studies Tutorial: Immeasurably Great Catalysts of Being

Tuesdays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 5 – March 9)

Someone who by taking refuge has become the site for spiritual growth should cultivate their mind for the benefit of all by watering the flower of compassion in the rich soil of love with the pure moisture of equanimity in the cool shade of joyfulness. – Longchenpa, Kindly Bent to Ease Us.

We can align our head with our heart by developing the pure practice of equanimity, love, compassion, and joy. Following the instructions of the great Buddhist master Longchenpa we learn how these four states can catalyze our thoughts and actions into transcendent waves of virtue. Course will include an introduction to the life and works of Longchenpa.

$200, which includes the workshop “Heartfelt Advice for Times of Transition” on March 6. Instructor: Barr Rosenberg. Based on Longchenpa’s Now that I Come to Die. Open to all students with a sincere interest in the Buddha’s teachings.

Nyingma Meditation

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

MED102 Beginning Meditation: Developing Inner Serenity

Morning Session: Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM (January 5 – March 9)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 7 – March 11)

Meditation activates a deep source of inner peace that can protect us from suffering and frustration. Through sitting meditation, walking meditation, and mantra practice students learn to relax tension and cultivate equanimity. The focus is on reducing mental distractions.

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

MED202 Intermediate Meditation: Overcoming Obstacles

Morning Session: Wednesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM (January 6 – March 10)
Evening Session: Thursdays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 7– March 11)

In this course students learn to overcome the most common obstacles to meditation: sleepiness, overactive thoughts, and “dreaminess.” The course also includes practices and teachings that further develop concentration and awareness.

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

MED206 Experiencing Openness

Wednesdays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 6 – March 10)

Students look directly at the patterns of thought that trap them in tension and frustration, working with practices that loosen and relax useless mental strategies. Meditative techniques emphasize opening to a new way of being in the world.

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

MED302 White Lotus

Mondays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 4 – March 8)

Our senses, our very being, can contact deep currents of healing energy. Like a lotus that opens to the warmth of the sun, we can unlock this inner healing through meditation practice. Taking an advanced approach, this course presents practices that evoke the power of the Medicine Buddha and the great teacher Padmasambhava.

$180. Instructor: Sylvia Gretchen. Based on Lama Mipham’s White Lotus. Prerequisite: three years of meditation experience and consent of the instructor.

Nyingma Psychology

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 (January 4 – May 24)

Mind can reflect immense beauty, love, and clarity, but mind can also weave an intricate web of suffering. This five-month course is designed to increase self-understanding and heal mind through experiential investigation into its structures and functions. Topics include: emotions as hidden knowledge, conflict and self-image, and reclaiming the heart.

$400 or $80 per month, which includes the workshops “Transforming Negative Emotions” on January 16 and “Self-Image” on April 24. Instructors: Sylvia Gretchen and Erika Rosenberg.

NPS101 Healing Mind (daytime session)*

Thursdays, Noon – 1:30 PM (January 7 – May 27)

For the first time, we are offering the Healing Mind program during the daytime as well. Taught primarily by Robin Caton and assisted by Sylvia Gretchen, the daytime program mirrors the evening course, exploring mind and giving students the tools to transform negative emotions, thoughts, and patterns.

$400 or $80 per month, which includes the workshops “Transforming Negative Emotions” on January 16 and “Self-Image” on April 24. Instructors: Robin Caton and Sylvia Gretchen.

KOF102 Awakening Knowledge

Tuesdays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 5 – March 9)

As an artist allows hand and brush to be directed by an inner vision, we can be guided by knowledge of our own value and take full advantage of opportunities a human life offers. Supported by the inner riches we have developed within ourselves, we can live secure, free from anxiety, fear and loneliness. – Tarthang Tulku, Knowledge of Freedom.

Reaching out for fulfillment feeds endless longing. And inward grasping—even in the search for knowledge—yields nothing truly new. Trying too hard, and in the wrong way, we separate ourselves from our heart's delight. In this course we look at the process of self-deception; in doing so, we become undeceived.

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

NPR101 The Practice of Mantra

Mondays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 4 – March 8)

Mantras are deeply symbolic sounds that activate qualities of wisdom, compassion, and healing when chanted with a quiet mind and an open heart. This course presents traditional Tibetan mantras and short prayers.

$180. Instructors: Rosalyn White and Mark Henderson.

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.

KNR101 Beginning Kum Nye: Promoting Spaciousness*

Wednesdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 6 – March 10)

Kum Nye teaches us to live spaciously as it gently moves us beyond perceived limits and boundaries. Students open the senses and then navigate the space of sensations, emotions, and perceptions, moving toward an integration of body and mind.

$180. Instructor: Jack van der Meulen.

KNR201 Intermediate Kum Nye: Inner and Outer Massage of Feeling

Wednesdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 6 – March 10)

This course provides a basis for understanding the foundation and development of Kum Nye, and the three levels on which its exercises can be experienced. Breathing, awareness, movement, and self-massage practices promote deep relaxation.

$180. Instructor: Donna Morton. Prerequisite: one year of Kum Nye.

KNR301 Advanced Kum Nye: Breath, Energy, Feeling

Mondays, 8 – 9:30 PM (January 4 – March 8)

Kum Nye is based on comprehensive understanding of the body: how its inner systems operate, how they are interconnected, and how they are activated by energy circulating through them – Tarthang Tulku, Joy of Being.

Advanced Kum Nye practices lead naturally to serenity and insight through harmonizing breath, movement, and sensation. This course focuses especially on breath.

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

KNR107 Sunday Morning Kum Nye

Sundays, 10 AM – noon

Renew a spirit of ease and appreciation through gentle Tibetan Yoga practices that relax body, breath, and mind. A range of Kum Nye movement, massage, and breathing exercises is given in each session.

$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.

SKM101 Mastering Successful Work

Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 7 – March 11)

Students learn how to develop a regular rhythm of awareness practices that extends through all activities to increase relaxation and accomplishment. In-class practices and discussion help students engage tasks in ways that make work more enjoyable.

$180. Instructors: Dave Abercrombie and Tom Mead. Based on Tarthang Tulku’s Mastering Successful Work.

Time, Space, and Knowledge

TSK102 Opening Space

Tuesdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 5 – March 9)

Space is primordially peaceful and open. Its openness accommodates all views and experiences without denying their unique contributions. In this course students work with Tarthang Tulku’s book Time, Space, and Knowledge to expand their experience of space and spaciousness.

$180. Instructors: Tom Morse and Ken McKeon.

Tibetan Language

TIB102 Beginning Tibetan, Level II

Thursdays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 7 – March 11)

Using examples and short selections from texts, students continue working with grammar and syntax.

$180. Instructor: Mark Henderson. Prerequisite: TIB101 or consent of the instructor.

TIB202 Intermediate Tibetan, Level II

Fridays, 6:15 – 7:45 PM (January 8 – March 12)

Readings from the Buddha’s Sutras introduce students to works translated from Sanskrit to Tibetan.

$180. Instructor: Mark Henderson. Prerequisite: TIB201 or consent of the instructor.

TIB301 Tibetan Tutorial

Fridays, 4:30 – 5:45 PM (January 8 – March 12)

Reading and translation of Tibetan texts.

$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.