Dzogchen Community West Coast

12/23/2024

OK FYI if anybody else gets the Facebook deletion email, it's a scam-read about it here:

A new scam targeting Facebook users is making the rounds, and you need to be aware of it to protect yourself. Scammers are sending fake messages claiming your

10/23/2024

Highly recommended for practitioners who would like to collaborate by leading ganapujas in their communities

Saturday & Sunday, November 16th & 17th, 2024 Tsegyalgar East Schoolhouse Gonpa, 18 Schoolhouse Rd., Conway, MA and online via Zoom

10/18/2024

https://tsegyalgarwest.notion.site/Longsal-Tregch-d-Retreat-with-El-as-Capriles-02944bd1ef9f4ab6a355e6acec765ee6

based on the Upadesha on the Primordially Pure Tregchöd.

10/06/2024

Pictures of Nina and the gang from a Mandarava retreat at our sweet Dondrubling

09/04/2024

Dzogchen Community West Coast
Yantra Yoga Schedule September - November 2024
With Authorized Instructors Luke Karamol and Vicki Sidley

Yantra Yoga is one of the oldest living systems of yoga in the world. It is an unbroken lineage-based Tibetan system of yoga that fully coordinates breath and movement. Yantra Yoga’s unique series of positions and movements, combined with conscious breathing, can help balance your energy and relax your mind, providing a basis for contemplation, contributing to improved health, relaxation, and balance.

Respira has as its central purpose the rediscovery of the importance of breathing well in our everyday lives. It serves to clear the mind, restore vigor to the body, and harmonize the emotions. This practice is a distillation of Yantra Yoga. It is based on a number of breath-based exercises to prepare the student for Yantra Yoga, where working with the breath is fundamental.

Hidden City Ballroom
304 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, CA 94801
Sept 28 12:30-2pm w/Luke
Oct 26 12:30-2pm w/Vicki
Nov 23, 12-2:30 w/Luke and/or Vicki

New in Marin! Suzie’s Studio
425 Irwin St. San Rafael CA 94901
with Vicki
Sundays Oct. 6 - Nov. 23
10:00 - 11:30 am. $15 -$20
For questions call 415 608-6004

Park Yoga
4226 Park Boulevard Oakland, CA 94602
October 19, 3-4:30pm Respira w/Luke

Respira with Luke online - please visit our webpage dzogchencommunitywest.org for the zoom link
Sept 16, 4:30-6pm Respira
Oct 14, 4:30-6pm Respira

07/11/2024

Upcoming Yantra yoga and Respira Method events with instructor Luke Karamol. See website calendar or links below.

Yantra Yoga practice- Saturday July 13 at Park Yoga

Respira: Architecture of the Breath- Saturday July 20 at Park Yoga

Foundation of Yantra Yoga immersion- Saturday July 27 at Park Yoga

Respira Method and complete Breathing weekend course in Knoxville TN Aug. 9-11

06/18/2024

introduction to yantra yoga this Saturday in Oakland at Park Yoga with authorized instructor Luke Karamol. Registration link in comments.

12/18/2023

Complete Series of Courses in the Vajra Dances from the Cycle of Vajra Dances of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

Offered December 2023 - February 2024 in Mexico and California
Led by Carisa O'Kelly, authorized 2nd level instructor

20 - 23 December 2023
Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings
Hosted by Pelzomling, Mexico City
Participation is open to all those interested.
Contact: pelzomling@gmail.com

26 December 2023 - 8 January 2024
Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra
Hosted by Tsegyalgar West, Baja BCS, Mexico
To participate, transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu or Yeshi Namkhai is required.
Contact: Jimena at tsegyalgarwestsecretary@gmail.com

10 - 12 January 2024
Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings
Held in Todos Santos, BCS, Mexico
Participation is open to all those interested.
Contact: Jimena at tsegylagarwestsecretary@gmail.com

20 - 21 and 27 - 28 January 2024
Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra, Part I
Hosted by Dondrubling, San Francisco Bay Area
To participate, transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu or Yeshi Namkhai is required.
Contact: Kathleen at aha@dzogchencommunitywest.org

3 - 4 February 2024
Vajra Dance of the Three Vajras
Hosted by the Los Angeles Dzogchen Community
Participation is open to those with transmission.
Contact: Sanford at dzcommunityla@gmail.com

Prerequisites:
The Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings is open to all those interested.
The Vajra Dance of the Three Vajras is open to those with transmission.
For those who have not received transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu or Yeshi Namkhai, it is recommened to first learn the Vajra Dance that Benefits Beings.
For the Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra, transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu or Yeshi Namkhai is required

For more information about Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (1938-2018) and the Vajra Dances, see the International Dzogchen Community's website, vajradance.net

"The Dance of the Song of the Vajra is a complex symbolic dance connected particularly to the energetic aspect of our existence. Through their sound, all the syllables of the Song of the Vajra are linked to specific energy points within our inner mandala, our body, and our outer mandala, the external dimension of the world. Through sound, color and movement we can coordinate these energy points and create a harmonizing communication on the level of subtle energy."

11/03/2023

Vajra Dance of Song of Vajra course, Part I

January 20-21 and January 27-28, 2024
Led by second level authorized instructor Carisa O'Kelly

Hosted by Dzogchen Community West Coast
Held at Hidden City Ballroom, 304 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, CA

This Vajra Dance course is for beginners and also is suitable for those who wish to review and refresh their practice. It is the first in a series of at least two courses required to learn this practice; dates for Part II will be announced later this spring.

We will meet from 9:30am to 5:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday, on the third and fourth weekends of January 2024.

To participate it is necessary to have received the Dzogchen transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Yeshi Namkhai.

For more information about Vajra dances, see the International Dzogchen Community's website, vajradance.net:

"The Dance of the Song of the Vajra is a complex symbolic dance connected particularly to the energetic aspect of our existence. Through their sound, all the syllables of the Song of the Vajra are linked to specific energy points within our inner mandala, our body, and our outer mandala, the external dimension of the world. Through sound, color and movement we can coordinate these energy points and create a harmonizing communication on the level of subtle energy."

COST: $300
To reserve your spot on the mandala, please register by Monday, January 8, 2024. Also, we would appreciate either full payment or an initial payment by this date. No one turned away for lack of funds. If finances are an issue, please contact us at 510-644-2260 or aha@dzogchencommunitywest.org.

TO REGISTER, please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/ac7B5vxLtKw8yvCr7

We accept PayPal and Zelle. Be sure to add January 2024 Vajra Dance Course in the memo field.
Checks are payable to Dzogchen Community West Coast and may be mailed to Dzogchen Community West Coast, Attn: Vajra Dance Course, PO Box 70524, Point Richmond CA 94807

05/08/2023

PSA to let you know about a year long online training that will begin later this month. Yantra Yoga 'A to Z' will be a comprehensive yantra yoga training program in conjunction with the ATIYOGA Foundation with instructors from around the globe, including short weekend immersives and weekly practices. Everything will be recorded for playback. An authentic and deep dive into a lineage based tradition.
Below is the link to learn more:

Complete Yantra Yoga program: preliminary series and 5 Yantra series | Weekly classes and one special workshop a month | Learn with teachers from all over the world | JOIN FOR FREE THE FIRST MONTH!

03/29/2023

Just a friendly PSA that we will have an in-person yantra yoga class/practice with authorized instructor Luke Karamol this Saturday April 1 in Point Richmond at Hidden City Ballroom 10:30-12pm. Class is by donation. For all practitioners new and old. Please bring a yoga mat and any supports for the practice. Next dates will be a pop-up in north Oakland Tuesday April 11 and Saturday April 15 at Hidden City. Hope to see you there!

01/16/2023

"I am heartbroken to let you know that Craig Fiels my beloved life partner crossed the rainbow bridge on December 20th , 2023.

01/16/2023

On Monday January 9, our vajra sister, Chimey Lee passed away at home in Berkeley, California. She was an active Dzogchen Community member at Dondrubling, regularly attending Ganapuja and other group practices.

Dondrubling will be hosting Xitro practice on Tuesdays at 6pm Pacific Time to support her in addition to our other sisters and brothers who have recently passed. You can find links for Dondrubling practices at https://dzogchencommunitywest.org/practice-calendar/

11/03/2022

Good news! We have started to have some in person practices again.
The tentative schedule is every other Saturday but please check our practice calendar or sign up for the weekly email schedule of practices at dzogchencommunitywest.org

Vajra Dance Practice, Noon – 2pm (PDT) In-person Vajra Dance practice of the Song of the Vajra.

Yantra Yoga Practice with authorized instructor Luke Karamol 10:30-Noon (PDT)

Hidden City Ballroom
304 Washington Ave. (cross street: Nicholl Ave.)
Point Richmond, CA 94801
https://www.hiddencityballroom.com/

Please bring your yoga mat as the floors are hardwood
Dress warmly as it is cold and drafty with windows open
Parking recommendations from the website:
https://www.hiddencityballroom.com/parking.html

NOTE ABOUT COVID:
The Yantra Yoga practice at Hidden City Ballroom will be held indoors, in a well-ventilated space, formerly a church, with six large open windows and a ceiling more than two stories high.

As a precaution, please bring a mask to use at your discretion, to protect your health and the health of others.

As practitioners, we work with our own circumstances regarding vaccination and masking. If you are positive for COVID, please do not attend. By participating, you agree to take responsibility for your own health situation and to report to the group if you have any symptoms during the practice session or a positive test for COVID shortly afterwards.

For questions please call (510) 644-2260 or email us at aha@dzogchencommunitywest.org.

03/25/2022

Purification of 6 Lokas w/Michael Katz
Transmission required
Fundraiser for those impacted by events in Ukraine
via Zoom
April 3, 11am - 4pm (Pacific Daylight Time)
Please register here: https://forms.gle/7dHZHmuVUt1RviQq7
Hosted by Dondrubling

03/02/2022

Dear Ukraine Dharma siblings,
Our heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Tara’s Triple Excellence would like to be a stable and comforting support for you, so we are offering you all free access. If you wish to enroll in the program without any cost, please check the page (Ukrainian) https://www.facebook.com/RangjungYesheUkraine

We are very touched that our Ukrainian sangha meets every day to practice the Outer Tara sadhana together. Coming together to practice is extremely powerful and healing. It creates precious qualities of peace and kindness in this world, that are so urgently needed.

If anyone from our worldwide sangha would like to join and practice together with our Ukrainian sangha to offer support and prayers for peace and independence of Ukraine, please join at the link given below. The powerful blessings contained in the Outer Tara sadhana will grant all our wishes; have no doubt. Therefore, let us all unite in our prayers in our daily practices supplicating Tara to make peace prevail on this earth.
Time: daily 7.30 am Kiev time
Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84503158616
Meeting ID: 845 0315 8616
Passcode: 092825

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Ukraine, near Kiev, has also physically opened its doors to anyone in need of shelter. They don't have many resources, but are trying to do whatever they can for the safety of others and themselves. Please consider helping by making a donation: https://gomdeua.org/en/donation

As already announced via email - the same goes to all our dear Russian Dharma siblings. The Russian production is open free of charge on dharmasun.org/ru/tte

With best wishes, Your Tara Triple Excellence Team

02/27/2022

A message from the DzamlingGar Gaykil to support our Ukrainian sangha in need during this time.

Dear world-wide community,

We invite you to donate here https://www.dzamlinggar.net/en/component/jse_donation?view=donate&task=donate.donation&c_id=298 to support our Vajra Family affected by the tragedy in Ukraine.

Many of our practitioners and their families are in desperate, life threatening situations in Ukraine right now. Ukrainian practitioners here in Dzamling Gar are receiving updates on the tragic situation directly from friends and family in Ukraine, many of whom are in underground shelters surrounded by explosions, or were forced to flee their homes.

Your donation will provide much needed support to practitioners and their families impacted by the conflict, both in Ukraine and those who’ve already fled the country: medicine, food, travel, accommodation and any other humanitarian support that might be required.

This dedicated Ukrainian fund will be managed by Dzamling Gar Gakyil in collaboration with local Ukrainian practitioners - Nadya Yermakova, Anastasia Domanova and others - who are in direct contact with those affected and have a good understanding of their needs.

To receive help, please contact:

Help Info Hub
http://helpukrainiansfromdc.tilda.ws/
or
kiev.dzogchen@gmail.com

Dzamling Gar Gakyil and Ukranian Sangha support team

Dzamling Gar. International Dzogchen Community. Tenerife