Of the Dzogchen mengak teachings that we received from Sogyal Rinpoche
Guided by Patrick Gaffney & Rigpa Senior Teachers

Dates: 10 April – 9 May 2027
Residential retreat onsite in Lerab Ling

For Rigpa Dzogchen Mandala Students who meet additional criteria (see below).

For the first time, Rigpa is offering a 1-month trekchö practice retreat of the profound Dzogchen Mengak teachings—these most precious pith instructions which Sogyal Rinpoche received from Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and passed on to us.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for experienced practitioners—who have received these teachings in full, and have been studying and practising them—to deepen their practice in a strict, residential retreat in Lerab Ling.

This will be our first pilot of what we plan to be a regular retreat. So, we expect there to be more opportunities to participate in the future, if you are unable to do so this time.

Please see the criteria and expectations below to see if this retreat is appropriate for you. If you would like to attend, please submit your application by 31st October. In order to maintain a supportive retreat environment, the number of participants will be limited. So, please apply as soon as possible.

ABOUT THE RETREAT

The trekchö retreat will be guided by Patrick Gaffney and senior teachers Sherab, Valerie, Ian and Verena, based on Sogyal Rinpoche’s teachings. Over the course of one month there will be several phases of practice covering the same stages as the annual Dzogchen Mandala summer retreat. This will include:

—topics from the background to the Dzogchen pith instructions, establishing the motivation and foundation for retreat through renunciation, bodhichitta, guru yoga, invoking the lineage and shamatha practice;

—a period of a least one week of analytical investigation; 

—at least two weeks of resting meditation and trekchö meditation based on teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche on ‘the uncommon’, the practice of the three miyowas and four chokshyaks, and further instructions on Dzogchen view, meditation and action.

The retreat is designed around six sessions of practice per day and will be in complete silence for extended periods. Participants will be required to attend the entire month and refrain from using phones or the internet for the duration of the retreat. This will be a practice retreat and there will not be extensive teachings. For this reason, participants do have to have already received these teachings.

Teacher

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN?

The retreat is open to students from the Dzogchen Mandala who:

—have received a Dzogchen empowerment such as Nyingtik Yabshyi, Chetsün Nyingtik or Tiglé Gyachen, 

—have completed 100% of their ngöndro accumulations, 

—have previously received teachings on the background and analytical investigation sections of these Dzogchen pith instructions, as well as attended summer Dzogchen mandala retreats where these teachings have been shared (2013 – 2016 and 2018 – 2026),

—have practice retreat experience, and

—are able to commit to a minimum of 1 hour of practice per day for three months leading up to the retreat.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS RETREAT    

This is a one-month residential practice retreat which means in order for everyone to benefit fully from the retreat, participants agree to:

• attend the full month (there will be no short options)
• stay onsite in Lerab Ling,
• participate in all the group sessions each day,
• maintain silence, and
• not use computers, tablets or mobile phones other than as a support for practice texts.

How to Prepare

• All those who join the retreat are asked to make a personal commitment to practise meditation for a minimum of 1 hour every day, for at least the three months before the retreat. This is an important preparation that will ensure that we can begin from a more stable and less distracted starting point, and we can settle into the retreat quickly.  

• In view of the particular nature of Trekchö practice it is important for each participant to fully enter into retreat and break with the habits and busyness of their usual living situation. Please read the retreat guidelines carefully, before you apply, to know what is expected.

APPLICATION PROCESS  

—Please start by reading the full information above, and the retreat guidelines. 

—Submit your application before 31st October.

—As part of your application, you will be asked to provide the name  of a Rigpa teacher, practice holder, or senior instructor who knows you and who can support your application. 

—We will inform you as soon as possible whether you have been accepted. We aim for this to be within 3 weeks of your application. 

—Once accepted, we will send you information on how to register.

If you have read the retreat guidelines and above criteria and would  like to apply to join this retreat, please fill out this application form by 31st October.

STUDY & PRACTICE GRANTS

If you would like to participate in the one-month trekchö retreat but lack the financial means, please ask for support through the Study & Practice Grant Scheme. Study & practice grants Application Form.

PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE 

6.00-7.00 Session 1: meditation (individually)
Breakfast
8.30-9.30 Session 2: Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro 
Break
10.00-12.00 Session 3: Instructions and practice
Lunch
14.30-16.30 Session 4: Instructions and practice
Break
17.00-18.15 Session 5: Tendrel Nyesel Tsok
Dinner
19.30-20.30 Session 6: meditation (individually)

PROLONGING YOUR RETREAT 

If you wish to continue and deepen your practice after the main retreat, you are welcome to stay on for an individual Practice Retreat in Lerab Ling. Find all information on this page:  Practice Retreat for Sangha

STAYING HEALTHY IN THE RETREAT

In order to maintain healthy conditions for everyone, anyone who feels unwell needs to wear a mask and may be asked to practise in a dedicated shrine room.

Guidance for anyone who experiences mental health problems

Retreats of this nature can often be challenging both mentally and physically. While we wish to offer all students the best possible environment and support for their spiritual practice, we are not able to offer professional support or adequate care for anyone who is struggling with a serious mental health condition. Attending a retreat such as this is no substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and is not recommended for anyone with a serious mental illness.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

START Saturday 10 April at 10am
END Sunday 9 May at 1pm

CONTRIBUTION
€900
Does not include food or accommodation
20% reduction on standard accommodation rates

REGISTRATION AND BADGE/KEY COLLECTION
Friday 9 April: 14pm – 17pm
Saturday 10 April: 9am – 9:45am
If arriving after 17pm on Friday, please notify registration@rigpa.org

LANGUAGES
Teachings: English
Translation: French, German – Spanish will be considered if there is enough demand

TRANSPORT
To be confirmed