Experiential retreat with Helena Gold
Based on Tarthang Tulku’s latest books Caring and Gesture of Great Love
This experiential retreat, led by Nyingma Centers International director Helena Gold, opens Nyingma Centrum Nederland’s next season of local and international classes, workshops, projects and retreats. The program is based on Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche’s recent books Caring and Gesture of Great Love and on Longchenpa’s Kindly Bent to Ease Us part 1. The retreat is focused on the special treasures we all have for understanding and enriching our experience.
“You have treasures within you. Please don’t forget this! Now is the time to discover how to open beyond all boundaries to the richness of human being”
– Tarthang Tulku in Gesture of Great Love
Three special treasures: love, compassion and wisdom
In the introduction to his latest book, Gesture of Great Love, Tarthang Rinpoche offers us three special treasures to enrich our experience and help us better understand our lives: Love, Compassion, and Wisdom. Each treasure has its own unique energetic power, and each one harmonizes with the others.
Love is our birthright! Love has the power to open our heart to acceptance, appreciation, self-respect and forgiveness. But to receive the treasure of love, we must be very kind to ourselves. We will need to understand and care for the whispering, doubting mind that resists these gestures of love. Once this happens, it will be possible to open our hearts to the essence of love.
Compassion leads us to engage the positive side of suffering: a deepening empathy with the pain of others that gradually develops into a true union with all living beings, as we all participate in the same cycles of existence. In order to receive the treasure of this union, we will need gentleness toward ourselves, so that we can understand and transform our human tendency to try to escape from suffering. Once this happens, we will be on our way to experiencing compassion in action.
As Rinpoche reminds us in his book Caring, Wisdom has the power to remove suffering. This is because wisdom is the antidote, not to suffering, but to ignorance, the root of suffering. To receive the treasures wisdom brings, we must caringly understand the mind regime that shapes and directs every aspect of our existence and experience. Once this happens, opportunities for new wise ways of understanding freedom will surely arise.
Instructor
Helena Gold has worked for the Nyingma organization in Brasil since 1986. In 2008 she moved to USA to work for Dharma Publishing at the Center for Skillful Means Programs. Helena is currently Director of Nyingma Centers International. As an Odiyan long-term resident, she is also one of the Instructors of the Classes & Books team.
Helena is one of the Odiyan Classes Instructors under Rinpoche’s direct guidance.
About the retreat Treasures for Understanding Experience
For who?
All are invited to attend, no experience required. Please note that all sessions will be in the English language.
When?
August 31 – September 3 2023
The retreat starts with the public Opening Lecture ‘Treasures for Understanding Experience’ on Thursday August 31, 19.00-20.00 hrs (10 – 11 am PST) and ends Sunday afternoon at 16.00 hours (CET). The opening lecture is free for all to attend.
How to attend?
Participation is possible both live (max. 25 people) and online through Zoom.
A limited number of beds is available in the center for participants who wish to attend in person but do not live in Amsterdam. Book early, if you’d like to be one of them!
Costs of the retreat
€335 in person participation. Includes all meals and board for those who come from far (limited availability)
€235 online participation
Some partial scholarships can be made available for dedicated Nyingma Community members.
Opening lecture
The opening lecture can be attended for free. If you are not part of the retreat, please register for online participation.
Retreat schedule
All times in Central European Time. Please consult timeanddate.com to convert to your local timezone
Thursday August 31
19.00-20.00 Retreat opening lecture ‘Treasures for Understanding Experience’ (live and online)
Friday Sept 1 and Saturday Sept 2
07.00-08.00 Early morning practice (optional)
08.30-10.00 Breakfast and clean-up
10.00-11.30 Retreat Session
11.30-12.00 Break
12.00-13.00 Retreat Session
13.00-14.30 Lunch and clean-up
14.30-16.00 Rest or private practice
16.00-17.30 Retreat Session
18.00-19.30 dinner and clean-up
19.30-20.30 Retreat Session
Sunday Sept 3
07.00-08.00 Early morning practice (optional) 08.30-10.00 Breakfast and clean-up 10.00-11.30 Retreat Session 11.30-12.00 break 12.00-13.00 Retreat Session 13.00-14.00 lunch and cean-up 14.30-16.00 Retreat Closing session
Suggested reading on the three Treasures for Understanding Experience
The books Caring and Gesture of Great Love are available through Lotus Design shop or through Dharma Publishing USA.