A one month Dzogchen practice retreat 

The Chetsün Nyingtik retreat, from 6 June to 6 July 2026, is the opportunity to study and put into practice the precious teachings and instructions on trekchö and tögal taught by Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche in 2022 in Lerab Ling. 

“The Heart Essence of Chetsün, the Perfect Secret Bindu” was composed by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and outlines the complete Dzogchen path from the preliminaries up to the main practices of trekchö and tögal.

Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche was finally able to teach the Chetsün Nyingtik in 2022 at Sogyal Rinpoche’s request, especially for Dzogchen Mandala students to be able to study and practise tögal.

Traditionally these teachings were only given gradually according to the student’s abilities and progress, but nowadays it is different, and for practical reasons the complete transmission was given all at once so we can use the recordings for further study and deepening of our practice. 

That’s why Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche asked us to come together as a group for a 1-month Chetsün Nyingtik Dzogchen retreat every year, in the most conducive retreat environment of Lerab Ling.

HOW WILL THE RETREAT UNFOLD

Each day we study the teachings Rinpoche gave in 2022, while training in the extraordinary Dzogchen preliminaries and the main practice.

The sequence is:

• 15 days on the extraordinary Dzogchen preliminaries including rushen and purification of the 3 doors; 
• 15 days on the actual practice of trekchö & tögal.

Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche said that he will occasionally zoom in to give further teachings and advice, as he did last year.

SHORT OPTIONS

Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche specified that the shorter options are exceptionally for those who cannot participate in the full retreat. Nevertheless, to benefit from the complete teachings and practice and in order not to disrupt the flow of the retreat, everyone is strongly encouraged to make every effort to attend the full month. 

Please make sure you meet the conditions before applying (details below). 

The retreat team will decide case by case who can attend a short option, especially for short option 2, as the places are limited.

WHO CAN JOIN

For all options, this retreat is open to Dzogchen Mandala students who:

• Have completed at least 75% of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro and are ready and committed to practise the path of Dzogpachenpo.

• Have received the complete teachings on Tsik Sum Ne Dek from Sogyal Rinpoche or through the Dzogchen study.

• Have received a Chetsün Nyingtik empowerment and a reading transmission for the commentaries, as well as a reading transmission for the practice. (If you are missing a reading transmission please let us know and we will try to organise it).

• Have accomplished a one or two month Chetsün Nyingtik preliminaries retreat in the way Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche has advised :

4 sessions a day over 1 month or 2 sessions a day over 2 months, following the detailed practice manual that he compiled for us. This includes having received the lung and studied at least one of the commentaries and set of Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche’s audio teachings on the ngondrö section.

If you meet the other requirements but have not yet accomplished this retreat on the Chetsün Nyingtik ngöndro, you can find out more on the Chetsun Nyingtik ngondrö retreat – Info page

Additional requirements for short option 2 – this second part is only for those who  :

• have attended one of the 1-month Chetsün Nyingtik Dzogchen retreat from 2022 to 2025
• are practising the Chetsün Nyingtik ngöndro on a daily basis.
• commit to listen to the teachings that will be covered during the first part of the retreat. Or at least study the two commentaries on this part. 

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS RETREAT

The retreat will be held in English, with translations into French. German translation will only be offered if enough participants require it.

Students who join, commit to attend every session for the duration of the entire retreat. 

It is advised to stay on-site at Lerab Ling. Students can also stay off-site as long as their circumstances allow them to attend every session.

Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche said the minimum daily commitment afterwards would be to recite the Chetsun Nyingtik Ngondrö, or at least the Lame Naljor (Guru Yoga) section. 

There is no online option for this retreat.

DATES AND TIMES

• Chetsün Nyingtik retreat :  Sat 6 June at 9:00 –  Mon 6 Jul 2026 at 14:00 

* On Mon 6 Jul, we will celebrate Dalaï Lama’s birthday in the evening. You are welcome to stay on for this occasion. 

• Short option 1 : Sat 6 June at 9:00 to Sat 20 June at 14:00
• Short option 2 : Fri 19 June at 07:30 to Mon 6 Jul at 14:00 

TIMELINE FOR REGISTRATION 

We are requesting everyone who wants to attend this retreat to fill in this application form :

• Before 25 January for accommodation sponsors 
• Before 15 May for everyone else. 

Priority reservation will be given to those attending the full retreat. You will be sent a registration link by email once accepted.

FEE

• Full Option: 828€ 
• Option 1: 444€  
• Option 2: 516€ 

CHECK IN AND BADGE PICK UP 

TRANSPORT

• Arrival Fri 5 June 2026

From Montpellier to Lerab Ling – departure times :

• from Montpellier airport at 15:15
• Montpellier Sud-de-France station at 15:45
• Montpellier Saint Roch station at 16:15

• Departure Tue 7 July 2026

From Lerab Ling to Montpellier – arrival times :

• from Lerab Ling at  08:30 Approximate arrival times (may vary with traffic) :
• Montpellier Méditerranée airport: 10:30 – Sud de France train station: 11:00
• Saint Roch train station: 11:30

(arrival time is approximate and subject to change according to traffic)

STAYING HEALTHY IN THE RETREAT

In order to have safe sanitary conditions for all of us, anyone who feels unwell needs to use sanitary masks and practise in a dedicated shrine room.

GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS

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 disorder. Attending a retreat such as this is no substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and is not recommended for anyone with a serious psychiatric disorder.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

Please read all information on the Financial support webpage. 

The deadline for applying for a Study & Practice Grant is 30 March.

In addition, Rigpa students who have completed their three-root practices and have the wish and commitment to study and practise further (especially Tögal) but really lack the financial means, have the opportunity to apply for a Three-root Practices grant here.