Programme from September 2011 to February 2012

September - October - November - December - January - February

The timetable of courses and seminars is:
from 10,30am to 1pm, lunch break, and from 3 to 6pm (unless otherwise stated).

October

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2
Fernanda Tosco
Seminar: The spiritual dimension of sound – 1st lesson

Sound and word. The power of words; the “Verb” or Logos. The treble structure of mankind in alchemy compared to the Tibetan tradition. Body-Mind-Spirit, Body Speech and Mind.

Speech is a prerogative of mankind and it allows us to teach, for example, even abstract philosophical subjects. Ancient civilisations, traditions and religions have always spoken of the “power” of words (in the biblical story, God creates through the use of words, the Verb, Logos) and magic was based on the use of “power words” or magical formulae. But words are also sound and songs are the perfect expression of word-and-sound: this means that music and songs are very special instruments that mankind needs to know how to use, in order to act upon the surrounding world, to reach subtle dimensions and to come in contact with the spirit. In the commotion of the modern world, what is left of the proper use of sound to access a spiritual dimension? How much awareness is there of “beneficial” sounds and “harmful” sounds? In this seminar, we will attempt to rediscover the power of words and the magic of sounds by following in the footsteps of great Masters, with the teachings of Tibetan Vajrayana tradition hand in hand with the Rosicrucian Alchemic tradition.

Sunday 2, from 3 to 6pm
Bebel Franco
The art of nutrition in harmony with nature
Live food – a course on the preparation of raw food

(minimum 10 participants)
Live food is a method for preparing meals for maintaining good health without neglecting good taste and pleasure. Some recipes will be explained and prepared to give a practical demonstration of the basic concepts of this kind of nutrition. We will learn to prepare green juice based on wheat grass and green leaves, with detoxifying, antioxidant and synergic properties; almond milk; cheese based on dried fruits; and Esseni bread which is full of active enzimes.
Bebel Franco has a certificate of participation in the course "Physiological Bases of Natural Therapies and Live Food" given by Prof. Alberto P. Gonzalez, of the Universita Estacio de Sa (RJ).

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9: from 9,30am to 12,30 and from 2,30 to 5,30pm
Prof. Roberto Maffei Facino: Professor of medicinal analysis at the Faculty of Pharmacology, University degli Studi, Milan.
Dott. Alberto Cavalchini: Medical Manager of Dermatology at the Hospital of San Martino in Genova and specialist in dermatology, medical toxicology, clinical allergology and immunology, and thermal medicine.
Dr. Fabrizio Gelmini: Degree in toxicology of the environment at Milan State Univeristy. Laboratory Manager at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the university.
Dr. Graziano Perugini: Degree in Herbal Techniques atMilan State University, physiotherapist specialized in ayurvedic treatments.
Dr.ssa Sara Vecchi: Degree in Psychology at the Catholic University of Milan.
(please note that the academic titles and positions are only loosely translated)
Theoretical-practical seminar on Phytotherapy: from essential oils to plant extracts and dermocosmetic products
Definition, activity, preparation and usage.
The seminar will provide theoretical information on phytochemistry and phytotherapy, as well as practical experiences of extraction and formulating the active principles of plant origin.
At the end of the seminar, each participant will have a complete product.
(it is necessary to book for this course)

From Friday 14 at 6pm to Sunday 16 at 6pm
Lama Thubten
Residential Retreat on Tara Chittamani

This is a special Tibetan Buddhist method for removing interferences and liberating all living beings from all forms of fear and danger. This practice lets us identify with the pure crystal energy of the female deity called Tara, also known as the Liberator and the Fast Heroine for the rapidity of her action to succour all beings. She is the consort of Buddha Amogasiddhi, the Supreme Healer of fear. Tara’s special energy is the key for overcoming all external, internal and secret fears.

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16
from 10,30 am to 1 pm, lunch break, and from 3 to 6 pm
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
KURUKULLA, THE LOTUS DAKINI INITIATION

A Highest Yoga Tantra practice which teaches us how to fall in love with the spiritual life and the ultimate reality of emptiness. It was one of the practices of Mahasiddha Tilopa and his disciples, as well as many other mahasiddhis such as Indrabhuti of Oddiyana.

The name Kurukulla in Tibetan, Rig Gyema, means She Who Causes Knowledge or She Who Awakens Non-Dual Awareness.

Kurukulla helps to remove obstacles and in the relative world, improves our health and wisdom and creates good conditions for dharma practice. Ultimately she helps us to achieve Buddhahood. She is the inner dakini and performs magnetizing activities that benefit all beings. She is also the source of the fierce inner heat or tummo.

Kurukulla form a triad with Manjusri and Sarasvati: together they increase mundane and spiritual knowledge and intelligence.

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23
Lama Tsultrim
The path of meditation. The reasons for meditation and the results.

Transmission of the breathing technique Lung-San, in the NgalSo Trulkor system.
This type of teaching helps us to develop attention, concentration and awareness of the breath in the meditational practice of observing the mind. On a functional, physiological level, it is an excellent way to dissolve inner tensions, rebalance our breath, and increase self discipline and control of the mind.

Sunday 23
Beppe Bordina and Davide Pincella
Reiki Chawang NgalSo practice – the Five Dhyani Buddhas

Reiki Chawang NgalSo is an ancient Tibetan healing method based on laying on the hands, with the blessing of the lineage of NgalSo Self Healing descending from Buddha Shakyamuni. Today we will do Reiki treatments with the energy of the Five Supreme Healers: Vairochana, Amitabha, Akshobya, Ratnsambhava, Amogasiddhi.
(the practice is also open to people who have the first level of Usui Reiki).

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 from 10,30 am to 1 pm, lunch break, and from 3 to 6 pm
Making Peace with the 28 Constellations
with Lama Gangchen Rinpoche e Lama Michel Rinpoche

We will also receive transmissions of other important astrological healing methods such as the mantra of the Buddha Lord of Planets, the different healing systems of the elements as well as the transmission of a special ritual to make peace with the 28 Lunar Constellations (Nakshatras) by also understanding what they are, their energetic importance and interaction with us.

From Friday 28 to Tuesday 1 November from 8 am to 6 pm
Rabne Chenmo Puja
with Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, Lama Michel Rinpoche, Lama Lawang, and the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery

The Rabne Chenmo Puja is a ritual for the accumulation of positive energies which will be dedicated for helping to solve the economical crises in the world.

Empowerment and practice of Maritse

Maritse, the Goddess of Clear Light, has the power to disperse the darkness of ignorance and protect from fear, from dangerous situations, and from interferences that arise due to animate or inanimate causes. She is one of the twenty-one Taras. Through this practice, we can make our inner light shine.

Saturday 29 at 3 pm
Increasing Fire Puja

Monday 31 at 3 pm
Peaceful Fire Puja

You can bring your personal dedications to the office.

November

Saturday 5th November at 8 am to Sunday 6th November at 8 am
Retreat of the 21 Taras, Prostrations and Mandala Offerings
The practice of Tara is for the swift realisation of all positive activities with particular emphasis on the Borobudur construction projects in Italy and Brazil, harmony of the community, solution of the world economic crisis, the pacification of environmental imbalances and the fulfilment of personal wishes.
The sessions will be of 2 hours in duration without break; there will be a list of those responsible for leading the various sessions; it is recommended to attend as many as possible as well as the first and last sessions.

The Sunday 8 am session will be a group Guru Puja.

The Retreat is free and the Centre offers meals to all participants.
Lama Ganchen has specially requested for all who work at the Centre and members of the community to participate without exception.
Please contact the secretariat to book sessions.

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6
Lama Thubten
Seminar: The Eightfold Path

Siddharta Gautama taught the Noble Eightfold Path as a method to free ourselves from suffering and attain true inner peace. It is also called the Middle Way and it is related to the Four Noble Truths. Lama Thubten will teach us how to apply this precious teaching in our daily life in this modern world.
The pathway to transformation involves the correct use of all aspects of thought and expression: right aim, right action, right thought, right speech, right awareness etc.

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13
Lama Tsultrim
The Six Yogas of Niguma (introduction) – 1st part

This inner psycho-physical yoga was transmitted by the Dakini Niguma to the Tibetan yogi Khyunpo Neljor. It is based on the joint practices of Vajryogini and Chakrasambhava and the 32 exercices of Trulkor that work on our channels, chakras and drops. The practitioner unites the subtle vajra body and the physical body so that all the winds flow into the central channel. This kind of teaching is directly connected to the Rinchen Yang So Yu cycle of teachings (that is, the five tantric deities: Guhyasamaja, Mahamaya, Hevajra, Chakrasambhava and Vajrabhayrava).

Friday 18 starting at 6pm,
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20: from 10,30am to 1pm and from 3 to 6pm
Lama Michel Rinpoche
Explanation and practice of Guru Yoga

The practice of Guru Yoga is called the root of the spiritual path because it is the quick, efficient way to come into contact with our pure nature and develop our potential. In this practice, the Guru or Master is the “connection” to all the holy beings and to our own potential for enlightenment. So Guru Yoga is a fundamental practice. Lama Michel will describe the the Tibetan Buddhist methods of Guru Yoga in the lineage of Gelu Ganden Nyingyu.

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27
Paolo Prunotto
Seminar: Therapeutic Yoga – preventing and self healing common psycho-physical ailments” – 1st weekend

A theoretical and practical course on an ancient Indian tradition, that will take place over four weekends.
How to alleviate common ailments such as muscular rigidity, rheumatic pain, sciatica, sinusitis, migraine, insomnia, nervousness. Some simple and effective methods will be illustrated for harmonizing the breath, for purifying the body, unblocking and increasing vital energy, as well as nutritional advice. We will do some exercices for recharging our energy, Yogasana and Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation).

Sunday 27
Fabrizio Merlotti
Training course for Usui Reiki operators – exchange and Level 1 activation

Reiki is a method that allows the Universal Energy to be channeled through our subtle energy system simply through the touch of our hands. The activation is a simple procedure that reopens the energy channels. When a person is activated, a series of natural harmonization processes begin which promote growth at physical, mental and spiritual levels. During the day there will also be the possibility for practical exchanges and sharing experiences of Usui Reiki.

December

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4
Lama Tsultrim
Transmission of the physical exercices of (Trulkor) Six Yogas of Naropa.
Explanation of the subtle body’s energy field.

These exercices contain 32 variations. This course will show the importance of these exercices – taken straight from Lama Marpa Lotsawa’s text – in relation to the union of movement and breathing. The aim is to channel inner attention in order to open the mind. We will see the importance of self massage to stimulate the inner channels and prevent lhung problems.

From Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
Empowerment and practice of Long Life White Heruka

This is a very special long life practice that unites the blessings of Heruka with NgalSo Self Healing and a special method for gathering the essence of the energy of the five elements around us. After the empowerment conferred by Lama Ganchen, a short retreat will be conducted to familiarize ourselves with the practice.
Essentially, this practice consists in:
1 Regaining lost vital energy.
2 Regenerating exhausted vital energy through pranayama, to absorbe the essence of the five elements, increase our positive karma and regenerate our commitments.
3 Lengthen our life with the special long life pills.
4 Other secret methods for a long life that will be explained during the retreat.

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18
Lama Michel Rinpoche
Lo Jong – Seven point mind training – 1st weekend

Seven point mind training, called Lo Jong in Tibetan, is an essential instrument for transforming the experiences of our daily life into an authentic spiritual practice. The literal translation of Lo Jong is “mental training” but in Tibetan culture the mind is located at the heart chakra, so the aim of this practice is to transform the blocked, egoistic heart into a bright, generous, selfless, open heart.

From Saturday 24 December to Sunday 8 January 2012
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche and Lama Michel Rinpoche
Winter Retreat: Kalachakra Festival

Description:

The Glorious Wheel of Peace Times – NgalSo Tantric Self Healing – Meditation on Kalachakra to create the energy body of pure crystal, light and nectar, to realize inner peace and connect this world to Shambala.

Kalachakra Tantra offers us the key to understanding and harmonizing the body and mind’s energies with the world we live in. During the seminar the participants will be guided in a series of exercises using body, sound, visualization and concentration.

Objectives:

· To recognize and manage inner state and emotions which may affect and/or block personal clarity, quality of vision and ability to act deliberately.
· To increase mind/body relaxation and thus improve personal effectiveness.

Expected results:

· Positive time management preventing stress and modern psychological work disorders as for example the burnout syndrome.
· A positive flow of physical and emotional energy.
· Learning how to grow and harmonize our own life energy in the challenging situations of modern society.
· Better relationship with others improving the ability to cooperate and collaborate.
· Daily actions that become more and more beneficial for harmony and success in our work environments, our homes and our world, benefitting the communities we work and live in.

All the methods utilized during the Kalachakra retreat have the aim to develop inner peace, to contribute to world peace, to heal ourselves and to reach Enlightenment, the complete development of the highest human potential.

NgalSo Tantric Self Healing and teachings on the Bodhisattvacharyavatara with Lama Michel Rinpoche

The great Indian Master, Shantideva, composed the Bodhisattvacharyavatara in the VIII-C AD. The text refers to fundamental practices in Mahayana Buddhism. It is a guide to the lifestyle of a Bodhisattva and explains step by step how to acquire the perfect qualities of morality, generosity, patience, enthusiastic effort, concentration and wisdom, which will enable to us pacify our mind and work successfully for the benefit of others.

January

From Friday 13 at 6pm to Sunday 15 at 6pm
Lama Thubten
Residential Retreat on Black Manjushri

Black Manjushri is the irate form of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. He helps us to heal deep negative emotions and mental suffering caused by problems and illness. He is also a powerful antidote to distress and harm caused by negative astrological influences. There are many benefits to the meditative practice of Black Manjushri. Firstly, it gives both mental and physical support to those who suffer from so-called incurable illnesses like Aids and cancer. It helps us dominate our anger, depression, fear and delusion that arise when we are facing a health problem or the difficulties of our daily life.

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22
Lama Michel Rinpoche
Lo Jong – Seven point mind training – 2nd weekend

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29
Lama Tsultrim
Practice of Trulkor of the Five Dakinis (Khandroma)

The transmission of this system of conscious movement comes directly from Yeshe Tsogyal (the consort of Guru Rinpoche) and it is related to the Shing Kham Jong So system. We will practice movements together with breathing. The movements represent female energy that can regenerate both the inner and outer environments. The practice will be based on Lama Gangchen’s text “Realizing Peace with the Environment”.

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
Empowerments of Troma Nagmo and Prajnaparamita

Troma Nagmo, the irate black mother, is a form of Prajnaparamita who is the divine manifestation of the perfection of wisdom, the mother of all the Buddhas, inseparable from Vajravarahi, Dorje Pagmo.
This practice belongs to the teachings associated with Chod, and originally comes from Padampa Sangye, the Indian founding father of Chod. He was also one of the founders of Chan which gave rise to Zen.
Troma Nagmo helps us to direct our egoistic delusions and attachment to the self. It is an essential practice for those who are seriously interested in the NgalSo practice of Chod. It also helps us to relate more easily with the Five Great Mothers who we know from the practice of “Realizing Peace with the Environment”.

Sunday 29
Beppe Bordina and Davide Pincella
Reiki Chawang NgalSo practice – The Five Great Mothers

Reiki Chawang NgalSo is an ancient Tibetan healing method based on laying on the hands, with the blessing of the lineage of NgalSo Self Healing descending from Buddha Shakyamuni. Today we will do Reiki treatments with the energy of the Five Great Mothers of the elements: the Mother of the space element, the Mother of the fire element, the Mother of the water element, the Mother of the wind element, the Mother of the earth element.
(the practice is also open to people who have the first level of Usui Reiki).

February

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5
Lama Michel Rinpoche
The twelve rings of interdependence

Buddha Shakyamuni taught that there are twelve rings (nidhanas) in the chain of interdependent origination governing our existence:
1. Ignorance 2. Karmic formations 3. Conscience 4. Desire 5. Attachment/Covetesnous 6. Becoming (existence) 7. Rebirth 8. Name and Form (psycho-physical organism) 9. The six sensory organs 10. Contact 11. Feelings 12. Ageing and Death.
Lama Michel will explain the process that keeps us tied to suffering, and the way to free ourselves from it.

Saturday 11 - from 10,30 am to 1pm, lunch break, and from 3 to 6pm
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
KURUKULLA, THE LOTUS DAKINI

A Highest Yoga Tantra practice which teaches us how to fall in love with the dharma and the ultimate reality of emptiness. It was one of the practices of Mahasiddha Tilopa and his disciples, as well as many other mahasiddhis such as Indrabhuti of Oddiyana.
The name Kurukulla in Tibetan, Rig Gyema, means She Who Causes Knowledge or She Who Awakens Non-Dual Awareness.
Kurukulla helps to remove obstacles and in the relative world, improves our health and wisdom and creates good conditions for dharma practice. Ultimately she helps us to achieve Buddhahood. She is the inner dakini and performs magnetizing activities that benefit all beings. She is also the source of the fierce inner heat or tummo.
Kurukulla form a triad with Manjusri and Sarasvati: together they increase mundane and spiritual knowledge and intelligence.

Sunday 12 - from 10,30 am to 1pm, lunch break, and from 3 to 6pm
Lama Gangchen Rinpoche
PARNASHAVARI

Parnashavari (Sanskrit), Lomagyuma in Tibetan, is the mountain hermitess who dispels ignorance and protects from disease (in particular those of a contagious nature).
She is also identified as the twentieth of the twenty-one Taras, who is specialised in the prevention and cure of sickness thanks to her knowledge regarding the natural healing powers of herbs.
She wears a skirt of forest leaves and in one hand she holds the stem of a medicinal plant; she is both peaceful and wrathful at the same time.
Parnashavari belongs to the Karma Action Family of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, emphasising the swift performance of the enlightened activities of the buddhas.

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12
Lama Thubten
The 5 disturbing emotions: anger, pride, fear, attachment and mental confusion. And how to transform them to recover harmony and peace of mind in our daily life.

There are various methods for reducing, purifying and freeing ourselves of the 5 disturbing emotions. The most common way is to use the right antidotes, the paths of thought and meditation that oppose our mental defilements. We will only find peace when our mind becomes free. Lama Thubten will explain how to apply the antidotes during our daily life.

Sunday 19
Fabrizio Merlotti
Training course for Reiki operators (original method of Mikao Usui), exchanges and activation of the 2nd Level (Chuden)

At the second level we are taught the three symbols to reinforce the energy and power of Reiki, as well as techniques for directing energy to a particular place of our choice (treatments from a distance).

Wednesday 22 - LOSAR – Tibetan New Year – Year of the Water Dragon

starting at 6pm: Guru Puja and dinner

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26
Lama Tsultrim
Retreat on Maritse

Maritse is a manifestation of Tara who helps to dissolve and channel obstacles and fears that influence our mind and the actions of our body. As a result of the practice, we overcome our fears and develop a clear mind. We will also receive the transmission of Trulkor of the Five Elements to balance our inner elements.

Saturday 25 and Sunday 27
Paolo Prunotto
Seminar: “Therapeutic Yoga – preventing and self healing common psycho-physical ailments” – 2nd weekend

A theoretical and practical course on an ancient Indian tradition, that will take place over four weekends.
How to alleviate common ailments such as muscular rigidity, rheumatic pain, sciatica, sinusitis, migraine, insomnia, nervousness. Some simple and effective methods will be illustrated for harmonizing the breath, for purifying the body, unblocking and increasing vital energy, as well as nutritional adivice. We will do some exercices for recharging our energy, Yogasana and Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation).

September - October - November - December - January - February - Top of the Page