Light, Air, Water & Space - A Photographic Exhibit by John Shannon at the Burnett Gallery in Amherst MA

 John Shannon, a long time member of our community, is exhibiting a series of his photographs at the Bunett Gallery in the Jones Library, Amherst MA, during the month of July (7/3 - 7/29)

There will be an opening reception for "Light, Air, Water & Space", during Amherst Arts Night Plus, on Thursday, July 6 from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The address is: Burnett Gallery, 2nd Floor, Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002.

Hope to see you there!

Second Annual Tsegyalgar Summer Celebration Monday, July 17 - Sunday, July 23, 2017

The 2nd Annual Tsegyalgar Summer Celebration on Khandroling is around the corner!

A 7 day gathering, on the Land of the Dakinis, is planned. It will include an intensive practice retreat offering daily collective practice, community collaboration, dancing, music, food, and more.

Come learn and practice with authorized teachers. Daily practice activities will include Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, collective practice Tuns taught and led by Santi Maha Sangha teachers, Khaita, and Karma Yoga opportunities.

Summer Celebration lunch orders need to be reserved and prepaid by July 1st!

Let us know that you will be coming by reserving your place. Please register and reserve your lunches by clicking on the link below, you will find all program details and lunch menus as well.

http://tsegyalgar.org/support/tsegyalgar-celebration/

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Transmission is needed to participate.

Updated Vajra Dance Course Schedules With International Instructor Prima Mai

Prima Mai's updated Vajra Dance course schedule is now available.
 
First Level Vajra Dance Teacher Training August 10-15th

Dance of the Three Vajras Supervision Course August 18-20th. Course open to all who have transmission.

Dance of the Vajra That Benefits Beings Supervision Course August 21-23rd. Course Open to all.

Advanced Vajra Dance Course, September 1-4th.

For more information and to register please go to:
http://tsegyalgar.org/lo…/tsegyalgareast/tsegyalgareastcale/ . 

Thank you!

Pictures from Tsegyalgar's Open House at Conway's 250th Anniversary Celebration - June 17 & 18 2017

Thanks to all those who helped out at our Open House during Conway's 250th Anniversary Celebration. A great time was had by all!

The Open House was a wonderful collaborative effort between the International Dzogchen Community, Shang Shung Institute of USA, and A.S.I.A. 

Big thanks to Paula Barry, John Shannon and Dimitri Rimsky for their lovely photographs, and Dominik Niceva for her video.

Information regarding our three organizations

Origami Club paper lotus parade display

Matt Schmookler speaking about Tibetan Medicine

Giorgio Dallorto speaking about  Tibetan coins & paper money

Yantra Yoga demonstrations in front of Field Memorial Library

Harmonious Dances Demonstration 

 Conway 250th Anniversary Celebration Parade

         Khaita dancing with our dancers and Conway locals during the Harmonious Dances demo       

Tsegyalgar East Summer of Yantra Yoga & Vajra Dance with International Instructors Laura Evangelisti & Prima Mai

July and August 2017

Yantra Yoga Courses

Supervision of First Level Yantra Yoga Candidates
with International Instructor
Laura Evangelisti
July 24–29, 2017
Open to all to participate in the course

Yantra Yoga Second Level Supervision
with International Instructor Laura Evangelisti
July 30–August 4, 2017
Open to all with transmission

Kumar Kumari
Yantra Yoga for Children
August 5-6, 2017
Training for Yantra Yoga teachers, and practitioners with transmission who would like to teach children.

Vajra Dance Courses
with International Instructor Prima Mai From approximately mid to late August More details TBA

First Level Vajra Dance Teacher Training · Advanced Course of the Dance of the
Song of the Vajra

Supervision Course of the Dance of the
Three Vajras

Supervision Course of the Dance of the
Song of the Vajra that Benefits Beings

For more information contact: secretary@
tsegyalgar.org or call 413 369 4153

Tara Mandala Announces The Chod-Zhije Conference Schedule for July 12-16, 2017

To access the full schedule for this historic conferance on Chod

visit: http://taramandala.org/chodconf-schedule/

Khaita Dancers Followed by Khandroling Paper Cooperative Lotus Bearers During the Conway 250th Anniversary Parade

Here's a charming video of our Khaita Dancers and Khandroling Paper Cooperative Lotus bearers handing out Lotuses during the 250th Anniversary of the town of Conway. Many Thanks to all who organized and planned this event

June 24, 2017 General Assembly for Tsegyalgar East Members

To View in Browser Click Here | Now Accepting 2017 Membership Renewals

Dear Members of Tsegyalgar East, This upcoming Saturday, June 24th at 4:00PM, there will be a General Assembly of Tsegyalgar East members followed by Ganapuja. This is a great opportunity to get involved and directly find out about our Gar's past, present and discuss together our future situation. You can join us in person or if you wish to join us via skype please email us your skype ID at:yellowgakyil@tsegyalgar.org If you cannot attend personally, but you know someone who will, you can designate that person as a proxy. All practitioners can participate, only paid members can vote. Saturday, June 24th at 4:00 PM TE Assembly Agenda 2017 Budget  Five year Strategic Plan: Year 1 2017  Presentation of New Gakyil Candidates Update on IDC TGE Alignment  Q&A Looking forward seeing you all soon, Tsegyalgar East Gakyil

For questions or comments please contact: gakyil@tsegyalgar.org www.Tsegyalgar.org

"The Seven Line Prayer: A Course in Calligraphy, Syntax and Meaning" Taught by Giorgio Dallorto

Shang Shung Institute presents Calligraphy with Giorgio Dallorto - "The Seven Line Prayer: A Course in Calligraphy, Syntax and Meaning."

The course will take place in the Tsegyalgar East Library, 18 Schoolhouse Rd., Conway, MA 01341 on June 20th, 21st and 22nd, 2017 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm nightly.

Cost: By Donation, suggested donation $20 per session. Please contact  Anna Bartenstein at akfb@aol.com to register.

This calligraphy course is on the Seven Line Prayer to Padmasambhava, studying the Uchen calligraphy and syntax of the words. It is also suitable for people who have not studied Tibetan. We will also study the meaning of the verses.

Participants should bring an exercise book, possibly with lines or squares to help with the dimensions of the calligraphy, and a pen, preferably for calligraphy, or with a broad nib.












Giorgio Dallorto
Born in Piedmonte in 1953, in my youth due to an interest in yoga, I became interested in Tibetan Buddhism and Himalayan Culture in general. This brought me to meet my future and main teacher, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in the summer of 1978. In the beginning of the 80s I spent a few years traveling in India and Nepal, visiting the main Tibetan settlements, with the scope of deepening my knowledge of their cultural and artistic heritage. In the 90s I started to collaborate with the International Dzogchen Community working actively for Merigar in many different roles: blue and yellow gakyil member, geko, manager of the Merishop, consultant for SSI, etc. Over the last 20 years, I have dedicated myself in a free and independent way to the in-depth study of Tibetan history and culture and, in particular, the arts, deepening my knowledge of Tibetan painting and bronzes of the past and today. Over the last five years, I have been studying Tibetan language under the direction of Prof. Fabian Sanders with the Ka-ter project of the SSF, giving particular attention to the study of the different styles of Tibetan calligraphy. I have collaborated with the international magazine, The Mirror, and the Merigar magazine, writing different articles for them about history, art, and spiritual biographies of Tibetan masters.

Out and About Tsegyalgar East

This week showed lots of activities as the community in Conway at Tsegyalgar East undertook preparation for the 250th Anniversary for the town of Conway, Massachusetts and coming summer events.

Matt and Katya Schmookler et el--kids in tow,  arrived to begin teaching their Two Step Khaita Dance introduction workshop; Dominik and Helena arrived from Miami via car to move here; Amanda, Tim and Jeremy attended to fixing the pot holes in the parking lots behind and in front of the yellow schoolhouse building; Khandroling Paper Cooperative held our last origami club meeting to try on costumes, discuss parade logistics AND hang our Members exhibition.

Tim and Amanda

First Khaita Meeting with Matt and Katya

Amanda's Lotus mobile for the parade cart

KPC Members Paper Arts Exhibt

Helena and basket of Lotuses

Close up of our Lotus basket showing the distinct quality of each blossom

 which took about 20 minutes to make each one.

[Photos by Dominik, Jacqueline and Nancy]

KPC Sacred Paper Workshop During Summer Celebration, July 18 and 19, 2017 Noon-2:00 PM

For the first time Khandroling Paper Cooperative will offer a sacred papermaking workshop during the Summer Celebration, July 18 and 19, 2017 for practitioners to make handmade paper with recycled precious texts and numerous sacred substances we have collected over the years. To read more about the Summer Celebration on Khandroling, visit here. 

These papers can be used for gifts to Teachers, calligraphy of seed syllables, wrapping, storing sacred objects, making origami items, covering amulets as well as for paper arts projects (bookmaking, printmaking etc). KPC has made paper for Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, Lama Tsultrim Allione and private commissions.

Sacred substances we provide include many sacred pills and texts from the Dzogchen lineages; substances such as earth and sand from power spots around the world; plant materials such as nettles from Milarepa's birthplace and juniper from Machig's birthplace; clay from Ayukhandro's cave. clothing worn by CHNNR; meditation belt remnants. Individuals can also provide their own substances.

Traditionally, discarded texts in the Tibetan culture are burned and treated with the utmost respect. We also include used prayer flags and copies of teachings from the Mirror. However, the bulk of the pulp from which we make paper is derived from Asian fibers such as Kozo (Mulberry), Gampi, and Mitsumata combined with our own rag we beat in the "critter" our Hollander Beater.  

Our process is quite simple and anyone can learn in minutes how to make handmade paper. We already have on hand many different kinds of pulp that we have processed from our natural fibers and cotton rag. Below Sheryl is mixing up a pulp in the Vat while making paper for Lama Tsultrim. You can read more about that sessions, here. 

Here Sheryl is mixing some pulp into the vat

Adding sacred substances ground into fine powder





Pulling a sheet of paper

Beginning in the Fall of  2017, KPC will offer private commissions for practitioners and artists to make custom sacred paper according to their designation. 

SSI UK Guided Tour To The Sacred Sites of Eastern Tibet With Dr Jamyang Oliphant

Tour offered by Shang Shung Institute UK, and led by Dr. Jamyang Oliphant, from July 31st through August 10th, 2017. Tour includes the famous Iron Bridge of the Mahasiddha Thangtong Gyalpo, Dzogchen Monastery, Galenting the seat of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Wangchuk, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu’s paternal uncle, Dege Gonchen Monastery, where Chogyal Namkhai Norbu studied at a young age. Nyarong valley and the retreat place and monastery of Nyala Pema Duddul who achieved the Rainbow Body.

Please click on Guided Tour To Sacred Sites of Eastern Tibet through Shang Shung Institute UK for additional details.

Tentative Schedule for Tsegyalgar East Summer Celebration July 17-23, 2017

To Register visit: http://tsegyalgar.org/support/tsegyalgar-celebration/


Tentative Schedule - keep in mind there still could be changes:
Monday July 17th

• 8:30am-10am- Meet & Greet with Lynn Newdome & Sarale Lizdas
• 10am-11:00am- Sang Explanation & Prep
• 11am-noon- Sang/Serkyem
• Noon-2:00pm- Lunch Break
• Noon-1pm - Registation (daily)
• 2pm-3:30pm- SMS with Lynn Newdome
• 3:30pm-4:30pm- Yantra Yoga with Naomi
• 5pm-6:30pm - Dinner Break
• 6:30pm-7:30pm- Vajra Dance Thun
• 8:00pm - Conway Retreat with Rinpoche from Video

Tuesday July 18th

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava explanation & practice with Paula Barry
• 9am-10am- Shitro explanation & practice with Naomi Zeitz
• 10am-noon- Vajra Dance "12A" for all with Bodhi Krause
• Noon-2pm- Lunch
• Noon-2pm- Khandroling Paper Coop activities during lunch
• 2pm-3:30pm- Marme Monlam & Rushen with Michael Katz
• 3:30pm-5pm- Breathe with Paula Barry
• 5pm-5:30pm- Guardian Practice Explanation
• 5:30pm-6:30pm - Dinner Break
• 6:30pm-8pm- Khaita Joyful Dance8:00pm- Guardian Practice

Wednesday July 19th

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava Practice
• 9am-10am- 25 Spaces with explanation - with by Michael Katz
• 10am-noon- Karma Yoga led by Jeremy Keaton
• Noon-2pm- Lunch
• Noon-2pm- Khandroling Paper Coop activities during lunch
• 2pm-3:00pm- SMS with Lynn Newdome
• 3:00pm-5pm- Community Meeting - Small Groups; led by Diane Kramer
• 5pm-6pm- Vajra Dance Tun
• 5:30pm-7:30pm- Ganauja - led by Bret Bourman (We will provide food. Donations welcome).
• 8:00pm - Video - Remembering the Future "Tsegyalgar" - by Soledad Suarez
• 
  

Thursday July 20th

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava explanation & practice with Paula Barry
• 9am-10am- Shitro explanation & practice with Naomi Zeitz
• 10am-noon- Vajra Dance "12A" for all with Bodhi Krause
• Noon-2pm- Lunch
• 2pm-3:30pm- Marme Monlam & Rushen with Michael Katz
• 3:30pm-5pm- Yantra Yoga with Paula Barry
• 5pm-6pm - Dinner Break
• 6:30pm-8pm- Khaita Joyful Dance
• 8:00pm- Guardian Practice

Friday July 21st

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava Practice
• 9am-10am- 25 Spaces - with by Michael Katz
• 10am-noon- Karma Yoga led by Jeremy Keaton
• Noon-2pm- Lunch
• 2pm-3:30pm- SMS with Lynn Newdome
• 3:30pm-4:30pm- Breathe with Naomi Zeitz
• 6:30pm- Vajra Dance Tun
• 8:00pm - Conway retreat with Rinpoche from video
• 
  

Saturday July 22nd

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava explanation & practice with Paula Barry
• 9am-10am- Shitro practice with Naomi Zeitz
• 10am-noon- Vajra Dance "12A" for all with Bodhi Krause
• Noon-2pm- Lunch
• 2pm-3:30pm- Marme Monlam & Rushen with Michael Katz
• 3:30pm-5pm- Yantra Yoga with Paula Barry
• 5:30pm-6:30pm - Community potluck
• 6:30pm-8pm- Community meeting & small work groups led by Dominik Niceva
• 8:00pm- End of Retreat Bonfire

Sunday July 23rd

• 7:30am-9am- Mandarava Practice
• 10am-noon- End of Retreat Cleanup - Karma Yoga led by Jeremy Keaton
• Noon- New Moon Ganapuja led by Bret Bourman - End of retreat picnic

Lama Tsultrim's Feeding Your Demons Practice Featured in Lion's Roar

[Illustration by Carol Henaf]

According to Lama Tsultrim Allione,

"Demons (maras in Sanskrit) are not bloodthirsty ghouls waiting for us in dark corners. Demons are within us. They are energies we experience every day, such as fear, illness, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, and addiction.

Anything that drains our energy and blocks us from being completely awake is a demon. The approach of giving form to these inner forces and feeding them, rather than struggling against them, was originally articulated by an eleventh-century female Tibetan Buddhist teacher named Machig Labdrön (1055–1145). The spiritual practice she developed was called Chöd, and it generated such amazing results that it became very popular, spreading widely throughout Tibet and beyond.

 In today’s world, we suffer from record levels of inner and outer struggle. We find ourselves ever more polarized, inwardly and outwardly. We need a new paradigm, a fresh approach to conflict. Machig’s strategy of nurturing rather than battling our inner and outer enemies offers a revolutionary path to resolve conflict and leads to psychological integration and inner peace. For more

Lama Tsultrim, as she is now called, is deeply connected to our Dzogchen Community through what is known as an official  Dam Trog (Samaya) relationship with Tara Mandala, the organization she founded in Pagosa Springs, CO where she has established the most comprehensive trainings in the various lineages of Chod, including a 250 hour course on the Chod of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. 

Generally recognized today as an emanation of Machig Labdron, Lama Tsultrim has widely taught Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's Chod to Westerners for decades. This Chod is a condensed compilation of all the great Chod lineages with their specific melodies that is an essential version Chögyal Namkhai Norbu received in a dream. It is especially profound and suited to Westerners due to its comparative brevity (about 20 minutes) and origin in the multiple strains evolving over centuries within Tibet . Over the years, Lama Tsultrim developed an ancillary practice called Feeding Your Demons which works with active imagination to identify and release one's inner and outer conflicts. The Lion's Roar article features a simplified version of this practice. 

Tara Mandala will host the : 

First International Chöd-Zhije Conference:

The Lineage of Machig Labdrön and Padampa Sangye

For full conference website (chodhealing.org) – click here

July 12-16, 2017

With follow-up retreats July 18-23, 2017

Faith Matters in the Greenfield Recorder Features Khaita Dance and Upcoming Khaita Course, June 10 & 11

Visit the following link to read the Greenfield Recorder article

http://www.recorder.com/Khaita-is-harmony-in-the-space-10437015

***

Tsegyalgar East invites you to learn the basics of Khaita Dancing in preparation for our participation in the 250th Anniversary of the town of Conway.

Khaita Dance "practice" is held most Tuesday evenings at the Yellow Schoolhouse in Conway- 5:00 PM. All are welcome.

Please Join us Friday, June 9th for a free intro to the workshop. More details here:https://www.facebook.com/events/1321609171252295/

June 10th, 2017 Class

First Steps in Tibetan Dancing | Khaita Joyful Dances
Step-by-Step instruction on how to perform Tibetan dancing with simple dances. While learning the simplest of Khaita Joyful Dances, we will go through basic steps of Tibetan dances and explore what Khaita means in theory and in our own experience.
TIME: 9-11am and 3-5pmSUGGESTED DONATION: $30 - $60LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute of America/Tsegyalgar East18 Schoolhouse Rd. Conway, MA

June 11th, 2017 Class

Next Step with Tibetan Circle Dances | Khaita Joyful Dances
In this workshop we will focus on circle dances (kordro) that have more unique movements requiring a little extra explanation and training. We will cover dances such as Ten-jung De-kyid (Stable Happiness) and Ma-jai Dos-gar (The Peacock Dance).
It is recommended that you take the first part of the workshop on Saturday, June 10th or are comfortable with basic level Khaita Joyful Dances dances to participate.
TIME: 9-11am and 3-6pmSUGGESTED DONATION: $40- $70LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute of America/Tsegyalgar East18 Schoolhouse Rd. Conway, MA


Khaita means “Harmony in space." Khaita dances teach us each to be aware of our own movement in the space around us. In dancing we also learn to be present to the interior shifting of thoughts and emotions. As we cultivate this relaxed presence in movement, harmony and joy develop naturally.