Thank you to the Tertön Sogyal Trust who gave me the opportunity to have a six-week strict, solitary retreat in France. In a sacred environment, charged with prayers and the lineage, under the personal guidance of the master, it was possible to totally focus on the practice, day and night, without thinking about anything else. The conditions were perfect to deepen my practice and integrate into daily activity while eating or walking between formal sessions. As the retreat deepened, the experiences of my practice became more and more subtle, precise, and profound, leaving me with a greater determination to get out of samsara and for that purpose, continue practicing again and again. It took me some time to come back to the natural flow of relative reality, where birds and insects, cows and sheep, and wind in the trees are your companion along the path – knowing that all appearances are the mind. What a profound and simple peace, making yourself ready to confront with the maras!

Over the years, many Rigpa students have learned from each other, passing on the experience and knowledge they gained holding Vajrayana practice in their Rigpa centre. They now form the international community of Vajrayana practice holders.

A few people have taken the responsibility to train others and be a reference point when it comes to upholding our practice tradition and lineages. Our main trainers in our lineage of Vajrayana practice are:

• Chöpön: Chokyi
• Umdze: Pascal Rey
• Pratice Coordinator: Claudia Thurn
• Practice Texts: Ane Chözöm

In 2021, a training program for practice holders who have demonstrated qualities and the commitment to train personally with the main holders of our practice lineage has taken place. They have committed to receiving the training and sharing their knowledge and experience with their Rigpa centre.

sabel Haber has been a student in Rigpa since 2010. She jumped right in, began following the teachings, and moved into Dharma Mati where she lived for 6 years. Isabel had a longtime desire to attend the Shedra program where she could study the Dharma more systematically. Her opportunity arose in 2020 when she went to Pharping, Nepal to attend the Rigpa Shedra under the guidance of Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche. She had set aside funds to participate in the 2-year study program to study Longchenpa’s Text “Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind, a teaching of the Great Perfection”.

Unfortunately, the pandemic impacted the program and they were forced to return home early that year. As a result, the 2-year study program changed to 3 years, and unfortunately, Isabel didn’t have the funds to complete the last year. She was glad to learn of the opportunity to receive a study and practice grant through the Tertön Sogyal Foundations, which provided her the opportunity to complete studying the text in the rich environment of Lerab Ling.

The program this year began on January 3rd. She begins each day with her study group, followed by a review session led by Shedra teachers Verena Pfeiffer and Chantal Bergers, and then the main session with Khenpo Tashi Tseten who reads and explains Longchenpa’s verses. It was important for Isabel to receive these teachings in a sacred atmosphere surrounded by the support from a community of practitioners. Isabel highly recommends the Shedra program and although she prefers the spicy food of Nepal, she appreciates the hot water in Lerab Ling.