Join us for
Mahamudra Retreat
with Lama Palden and Lama Tashi
Thursday to Sunday, April 10-13, 2025
In-Person & Online
We are moving through a period of turbulence and uncertainty in our world. The vulnerable, impermanent nature of our lives is becoming more evident, challenging us to open more deeply to the unconditional loving-awareness that is our true nature.
To cultivate this loving-awareness, it is helpful to step out of the busyness of our lives and enter a contemplative space where we can open our hearts and settle our minds. We are
then able to look closely at how thoughts and emotions shape our inner and outer experience, and to let go of the fears and grasping which lead to conflict and division.
Every morning, Lama Tashi will introduce the Extraordinary Shamata (Calm-Abiding) Practice of the Shangpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. This form of Calm-Abiding gives us a powerful experiential introduction to the “poetics of presence,” the emergent qualities of the elements of earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness. Aligning ourselves to such resonant visualizations will balance, pacify, clarify, and awaken our biological and subtle anatomy with the natural elements and seeds of pure perception. In this fashion, we set the necessary foundations for strengthening our capacity to rest as wisdom-awareness, while simultaneously deepening our loving-compassionate appreciation of differences and interdependence.
On this basis, in the afternoon we will meditate, resting deeply in loving- awareness, moving into insight of our awakened nature with Mahamudra practice and pointing out instructions. Via dialogue Lama Palden will work individually with students to help deepen the realization process of Mahamudra meditation.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific Time
(4 PM last day)
Meet the Retreat Leaders: Lama Palden & Lama Tashi
Lama Palden Drolma, Senior Lama
Lama Palden Drolma is a master of Mahamudra transmission—the teachings and practices that enable one to reach complete awakening in this lifetime. She has been teaching since completing the traditional Tibetan Buddhist three-year retreat in the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages in 1985, and becoming in 1986 one of the first Western women to be authorized as a lama in the Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhist) tradition.
Lama Palden Drolma founded Sukhasiddhi Foundation in 1996, developing its curriculum and teaching all classes, retreats and programs for many years as Resident Lama, bringing many people to the profound transformative path, and supporting their growth.
Lama Tashi
Lama Tashi (Annik Brunet) has been on the spiritual path for 30 years. She completed the Sukhasiddhi Shangpa Lineage and Teacher Training programs. Since 2008, she has led classes, workshops, and retreats, and is currently the guiding teacher for the Bodhi Program. In 2017, Annik was authorized by Lama Palden Drolma and Lama Drupgyu as a Lama. Annik holds a master’s degree in photography, and her life-long impetus has been to explore the mystery of phenomenal appearances. The practice of photography as a visionary art and a means to cleanse the doors of perception eventually led her to the direct access Vajrayana offers. From this joint passion for dharma and art, Annik derives great enthusiasm for facilitating the exploration and actualization of the openness, kindness, and radiance that resides at the heart of every being.