Kalachakra Ngondro Program | MODULE 8: Innate Kalachakra

Kalachakra Ngondro Program | MODULE 8: Innate Kalachakra

ONLINE. This program will be in English. We will not be able to offer live translations in any other language, however, we can offer access to the practice texts in various languages. Please send in your registration at the bottom as soon as you decide to register so that we can plan accordingly.

Later registration and starting are possible because the sessions are recorded. In case you want to have access to these previous Modules (recommended), please find them here:

MODULE 1MODULE 2MODULE 3, MODULE 3, MODULE 4, MODULE 5, MODULE 6, MODULE 7

MODULE 8: Innate Kālachakra

Weekend Webinar: 28th – 30th March 

VIENNA TIME (CET)

FRIDAY 28th March
18.30 – 20.00 

SATURDAY 29th March
10.00 – 11.30 
14.00 – 15:30 
18.30 – 20.00 

VIENNA TIME (CEST — Summer time from 30th March on)

SUNDAY 30th March
10.00 – 11.30

+ 2 Additional Sessions with Practice (Wednesdays: April 2nd and 9th, 18.30 – 20:00)

+ Homework 

+ 1 Group Discussion on Wednesday April 16th (18.30 – 20.00)

DESCRIPTION:

Module 8 — Innate Kālachakra

The previous preliminary practices are common across various Vajrayāna traditions and although they may be practiced slightly differently, the intended result is generally similar. Innate Kālachakra Practice is considered one of the Unique Preliminaries as it is specific to the Jonang-Kālachakra Ngondro system. 

In this practice, we visualize ourselves in the enlightened form of the two-armed Kālachakra deity, known as Innate Kālachakra. This is the first of the two unique preliminaries for the Six Vajra Yogas according to the Jonang Tradition and is also known as the Generation Stage in Highest Yoga Tantra. We should only engage in this practice if we have previously received a Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment, preferably in accordance with the Kālachakra Tradition. 

When you “generate yourself” as an enlightened deity, you are not generating a fabricated, make-believe reality, but instead, using an extraordinarily skillful method to bring you closer to the non-dual reality of enlightenment that is your most profound nature. With this method you learn to view the universe as pure and all beings in it as enlightened, even though they may appear to ordinary minds as having many defilements that have not yet been overcome. By seeing through conventional reality and embracing its ultimate nature, you are able to experience all levels of reality with a much clearer and more compassionate view.

Note regarding pre-requisites: for participating you need to have received a Kālachakra Empowerment / Initiation from any authentic lineage. If you have not, alternatively you need at least to have received one of these other empowerments from Shar Khentrul Rinpoché Rinpoché: Vajravega, Innate Kālachakra, or Viśhvamātā. If you have not received any of these but have received previously another empowerment in Highest Yoga Tantra from any authentic lineage holder and are keeping its commitments and practice, you can also register. If you did not receive any of these at all, you should wait until you have got the necessary prerequisites.

About the KALACHAKRA NGONDRO PROGRAM

About the KALACHAKRA NGONDRO PROGRAM

The Kālachakra Ngondro Program is a 2-year long program created for students who want to deepen themselves in the Kālachakra Path in a structured, step-by-step guided process

The Ngondro also called the “Preliminary Practices prepares you to uncover your own Buddha nature. If you want to completely unveil this perfect nature, the Kālachakra Ngondro prepares you for the very subtle and profound yogic practices of the Completion Stage called the ‘Six Vajra Yogas’ of the Kālachakra Tantra. You can benefit by doing the Kālachakra Ngondro even if you do not aspire to engage in serious meditation practices of the Kālachakra Completion Stage in this lifetime.

Shar Khentrul Rinpoché offers a flexible approach to embrace a variety of practitioners because being fixed on only one traditional way may not be a match for everyone. Developing familiarization with the Kālachakra Ngondro practices can be adjusted individually according to your own personal inclination.

Rafa Lobsang Dorje from Kalapa received 2018 Rinpoché’s encouragement to teach the Kālachakra Ngondro.

General Requirements

The program is open to all. There are no formal prerequisites for the previous Modules 1 – 7. (Pre-requisite for Module 8: please read above).

Generally speaking, the Kālachakra Ngondro Program is for you if you wish for long-term and regular support in your dharma practice, regardless if you are starting now or if you have been practicing previously. More specifically, modules 1-7 are shaped to help you prepare for receiving the 1st set of Kālachakra Empowerments (“Seven Empowerments of a Growing Child”), also known as the Kālachakra Initiation, and for receiving in the future the “Kālachakra Four Higher Empowerments” if you so aspire. 

We encourage all participants to get a copy of Shar Khentrul Rinpoché’s books; Unveiling Your Sacred Truth 1-3, The Hidden Treasure of the Profound Path, and the Practice Book The Profound Path of Vajra Yoga, as these will be the main references for our program. 

Optionally, in case you are waiting for the module to start, you are encouraged to read Rinpoché’s other books, such as Ocean of Diversity and The Realm of Shambhala.

Structure of the Modules

The program follows the structure of the Kālachakra Path as presented by the Jonang-Kālachakra Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is divided into Outer Preliminaries (2 modules), Inner Preliminaries (5 modules), and Unique Preliminaries (2 modules). 

Each module includes a weekend-webinar of teachings and practice led by an authorized Ngongdro Teacher and by practices guided by other senior students approved by Rinpoché, followed by two group practice sessions of ca. 90 min. each and one Dharma discussion session where questions can be addressed to the Ngondro Teacher and where you can exchange with other participants. The schedule of the weekend-webinar may vary slightly from module to module.

Compassion Cultivation Training

Compassion Cultivation Training

8-week course online, in English.

In this course, we won’t just learn about compassion: we will instead practice the techniques to cultivate it.

Every Saturday from the 3rd of May to the 21st of June  (+ an additional session on the 28th of June)

All Dates: May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st | June 7th, 14th, 21st (+additional 28th)

2.00 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Vienna Time)

A Proven Program with Global Reach

An 8-week program for the general public, Compassion Cultivation Training© (CCT™) draws on insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. This course integrates evidence-based meditation techniques, interactive discussions, and lectures as well as real-world exercises to put learning into practice.  CCT™ is designed to help participants understand, experience, and nurture our compassionate warrior nature. 

Secular Approach

Although the root of this course is based on Buddhist teachings, CCT™ is designed for the general audience within a secular framework. This is the perfect course for you to give as a gift or to recommend to your non-religious friends. Moreover, if you are already a dharma practitioner, this course is a precious opportunity for you to refresh the altruistic motivation that should be the flame holding your spiritual practice. This is an approach without dharmic language, focusing more on creating an experience by exploring the topic’s inspirational, emotional, and cognitive aspects. Offering this course for the first time, our Dzokden community welcomes you and your friends to join us!

Free Public Introduction Online:  Saturday, 12th of April, 2 p.m.

This public introduction is designed for those who wish to learn more about the course before committing. Through this live interaction, you can experience the course’s energy, get to know the course leader, connect with potential classmates, and ask questions. Registration is not required, simply join us directly via the Zoom Link below (Meeting ID: 856 4640 8028 | Passcode: 708742):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85646408028?pwd=QLnF5374ak5aTiHN9Ob869oAn432UO.1.

Course Description

Compassion is a feeling that arises from witnessing a being’s suffering which then ignites an intention to bring relief to that suffering. As such, it is also an expression of the capacity to care. Compassion has the power to transform suffering. It can fuel our efforts to improve ourselves, our surroundings, and the world. By wisely applying compassion in our specific circumstances, we can use suffering as a tool to raise our consciousness. This works only when we recognize the power of compassion within us and continually practice its application.

In this course, talking about compassion is important, — how to unfold it, apply it, and share experiences — but this is just a map. While this map will help us plan our direction, stay aware of where we are on the path, and avoid getting lost, the journey itself is made by moving forward — by experiencing, trying, doing, and reflecting. In other words, by practicing. The weekly two-hour group sessions are designed with this in mind.

Overview:

  • .Weekly 2-hour class — including lecture, discussion, and in-class exercises
  • .Daily meditation practices
  • .Real-world assignments for practicing compassionate thoughts and actions.

We’ll follow a step-by-step “training plan” and experiment with its various elements. Research indicates that eight weeks is sufficient to begin experiencing the initial positive effects of this training plan. This can provide the motivation to gradually and persistently shape our lives and personalities in a more compassion-centered direction. 

The 8-Week CCT Journey:

Week 1 — Settling and focusing the mind

Week 2 — Loving-kindness & compassion for a loved one

Week 3 — Compassion for oneself

Week 4 — Loving-kindness for oneself

Week 5 — Embracing shared common humanity and developing an appreciation for others

Week 6 — Cultivating compassion for others

Week 7 — Active compassion practice

Week 8 — Integrated daily compassion cultivation practice

What effects can I expect

While everyone will have their own unique experience, research has shown CCT™ can lead to:

Increased: Happiness, Calmness, acceptance of emotions, self-acceptance, job satisfaction, self-caring behavior, compassion for self and others, and openness to receiving compassion from others.

Decreased: Worry and anxiety, anger, wandering mind, emotional suppression, reports of chronic pain severity.

Main Author of this Training

Compassion Cultivation Training™ (CCT™) was developed at Stanford University under the guidance of Geshe Thupten Jinpa. Jinpa trained as a monk at Shartse College and holds the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree. He also earned a B.A. in philosophy and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Cambridge University. Since 1985, Jinpa has served as the principal English translator for H.H. the Dalai Lama and has collaborated on numerous works with him. His own notable publications include A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to Be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives, as well as translations of key Tibetan Classic texts. Among these translations is the Ornament of Stainless Light: An Exposition of the Kālachakra Tantra. Jinpa is currently working on translating the Ocean of Definitive Meaning by Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen.

Sessions & Recordings

This course is an experiential introduction to compassion. All 8 sessions will be recorded and will be accessible for later viewing. However, due to the guided experiential nature of this course, if you will be unable to attend the majority of live sessions, we generally do not recommend your participation. The recordings are only intended for those who absolutely cannot avoid missing one or a few sessions.

Additional session: after the completion of the 8 main sessions, an additional optional session will be offered. This session will provide an orientation on how to move forward should you want further perspective or advice on how to deepen yourself within this profound subject.

Registration

Registration Costs 

We offer flexible offering levels to accommodate participants in different economic, life, and geographical contexts. REGISTER BELOW.

Sangha Supporter Registration Fee: 500,- Euro 

Normal Registration Fee: 250,- Euro

Early Bird Reduced Registration Fee: 200,- Euro 

Scholarship Reduced Registration Fee: 125,- Euro

Note: Registration costs for Dzokden Kalapa do not cover any time and effort of the course leader Tamás Schieszler. We are very grateful for his kind offer to guide this program. Should you wish to show your gratitude to Tamás during or after the course, you are welcome to make an online donation (Dana) to him. Details will be forthcoming as the course begins.