Khandroling Paper Cooperative Part of the 2018 Summer Retreat

The pond road leading into Khandroling

This year at the Tsegyalgar East annual summer retreat on the Land of the Dakinis at Khandrolling (July21-29, 2018), KPC will  offer many opportunities to learn about what Khandroling Paper Co-op is all about. For full information about the retreat and to register, visit the main Tsegyalgar East website events page  here. 

Every day except the 27th, during the retreat lunch hours Noon- 2:00 PM), we will be stationed at the lunch Cantina working on KPC projects where you can learn about the process of making paper. We are offering several projects interested individuals can participate in from Ppaper lanterns and luminaries to lotus origami session, making five colored paper and Khandroling grass papers and calligraphy. A schedule of drop in times will be posted on the first day of the retreat. All are welcome and encouraged to participate!

This year's papermaking on the land which began with our first walkabout in 2012 six years ago, will be facilitated by Amanada Pollock. Some members of KPC will be participating as well.

Rainbow corn cooking in soda ash outdoors at the yellow schoolhouse

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

      

                                                         Cedar papers made by Amanda                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Last weeks fiber papers made by Amanda inclduing sage, kozu, cedar and other mysteries

Amanda's flower amulets

For further information about the Khnadroling Paper Cooperative program during the summer ceebrtion, contact amanda at amandamaze13@gmail.com

For information about the summer retreat including lodging and meals, visit

the Tsegyalgar East Events page at: 

http://tsegyalgar.org/localcenters/tsegyalgareast/tsegyalgareastcale/3rd-annual-summer-sangha-retreat/

Memorial for Mark Wellens

Mark Wellens and Rita Kaiser

Dear Friends and Family,

I want to be sure all of you know that we will be holding a memorial service for Dr. Mark on at the Church on the Hill in Acworth, NH, otherwise known as the United Church of Acworth.

The memorial will take place on Saturday June 16, at 2pm at the Church on the Hill in Acworth, NH, otherwise known as the United Church of Acworth.

Please bring stories and remembrances that you would like to share.

Much Love,
Rita Kaiser

Mark Wellens (far left) on Vajra Dance Mandala 

Khandroling

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Mark Wellens on February 10, 2018, practitioner and frequent participant in Tsegyalgar East retreats. Mark was the brother of Rita Kaiser, brother -in-law to Harvey Kaiser and uncle to Tashi Kaiser of the New York Dzogchen Community.

Dear All, hello,

Sadly, we announce the passing of our beloved brother,uncle,son, Mark Wellens, 69, earlier today at his home in Acworth, New Hampshire. Please collaborate with us in his Shitro.

Thank you,

Highest regards,

Love

Rita & Harvey

Tashi and Mark

Khandroling Paper Cooperative Summer Events

Greetings from Khandroling Paper Cooperative, now in our 7th year of operation at Tsegyalgar East, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Conway, MA 01370.

Since our last post here in February 2018 ( about our duo Sheryl Jaffee and Brenda Lilly's Lantern Workshop)  Amanda and Madeline each held workshops for special interest groups.

Some of our origami Lanterns

Madeline (left) and Amanda cleaning the studio

In April while I was on a writers retreat with KPC member Ingmar Pema Dechen in Mississippi to work on our 60 Losar poetry/illustration collaboration, Madeline led a workshop for the dynamic local artist and writers group Exploded View.

You can read about them here. 

Greenfield Recorder article here.

Trish Crapo one of the members of Exploaded View wrote a long article on the paper cooperative at Tsegyalgar East during our Japanese Binding workshop two years ago. At that time we talked about making paper from ephemera such as old love letters.  On a chilly day this April Trish initiated her writing group to do a session of papermaking for projects they create for their upcoming Fall exhibit at the Great Falls Discovery Center in September 2018. Madeline will also participate in leading a papermaking workshop open to the public. The Great Falls Discovery center is a jewel of a venue in our region. 

Here are a few pictures of the ladies from Exploaded View at work:

From making pulp to pressing and drying finished papers

We do everything low tech

NEW Packers Corner 50th Anniversary in Guilford, VT

This summer we will participate in the 50th Anniversary of Packers Corner Farm in Guilford, VT where I lived from 1976-1982 before heading out to Naropa Institute (now University) to study Tibetan Buddhism.  In the early 1990's, The "Farm" hosted many of us from Tara Mandala attending Chogyal Namkhai Norbu retreats at Tsegyalgar.   One year in 1994 we all took the Base SMS exam, the first at Tsegyalgar. The farm served as refuge for many of us. While there I attended the Ada Comstock Scholars program at Smith College in its early years.

View from top of the old peach Orchard 

towards the farm

The full schedule of the 50th Anniversary is here.

Our papermaking session will begin at 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 23, 2018

but we will be there from late morning thru evening. A private event, participants arriving from all over the country will walk away with a portfolio of fine papers for calligraphy, painting, collage and lantern making.  Led by Madeline, Sheryl and Amanda. I'll be there too with the aim of  making paper lanterns.

Khandroling 3rd Annual Summer Retreat in Buckland, MA

Amanda Pollock will lead the 3rd Annual Khandroling Retreat Papermaking and Calligraphy workshop  from Saturday, July 21 - Sunday, July 29, 2018.  Full description forthcoming.

Works from last Summer's Khandroling retreat

using sacred substances led by Sheryl

Shelburne Falls 250th Anniversary -June 23/24, 2018

Details TBA. KPC was gifted a thousand origami cranes so these will be distributed to the public and a paper demo scheduled.  

Highland Village Day of the Dead Installation -October 31, 2018

Come join us at Beautiful Highland Village Public Housing in Shelburne Falls (my home) to view a traditional Day of the Dead shrine created by residents for departed family, friends, and pets. Refreshments provided.

KPC Studio Day of the Dead Shrine, 2016

in the basement of Tsegyalgar East

Every week some of us make art which requires concentration and the great joy of stepping out of one's usual mental ruminations and worries. These days I am working on creating "Talking Sticks," a native American tradition for residents to use at their meetings as a conduit for deep listening. 

Future Workshops in the at Khandroling Paper Cooperative in the works--

• A Workshop in printing slogans and posters on our etching press
• More Mindful Origami
• Adventures in Collage and Paper weaving

In some sense all art-making is stealing from the sacred source. To make amends we share our art in a spirit of generosity to benefit others and in good cheer to promote well-being. Come visit us! If you would like us to host an event for your group, contact Jacqueline at jacqueline.gens@gmail.com or call 413-522-1125.

Kaita Dancers to Participate in 12th Annual NYC Dance Parade

Once again Kaita Dancers from Shang Shung Institute at Tsegyalgar East and Kundroling participated in the international NYC Dance Parade. Local Tibetan dancers joined the Kaita dancers. This is the third year of their participation in this rousing international event. 

Here are a few photos from the event on May 19, 2018:

Last year's event can be seen here:

Amanda heading up the Khaita Dancers with her Lotus Mobile Sound System, May 20, 2017

A small group from NYC and Tsegyalgar participated in this year's International Dance Parade--an extraordinary display of the US International heritage. To learn

more about this annual event, visit their webpage here.

May 20, 2017 - photos by Stephen Korns

TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE KHAITA DANCERS IN THE  2016 PARADE

VISIT HERE

Visit the Mirror article on this year's Khaita Dance participation

 in the 11th Annual International Dance Parade

Wisdom Rising A Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine

Lama Tsultrim Allione's long awaited newest publication, Wisdom Rising A  Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine is now available. It is currently listed as the #1 Amazon New Release and doing very well. 

Order here:

https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Rising-Journey-Empowered-Feminine/dp/1501115030/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525138915&sr=8-1&keywords=wisdom+rising

Don't forget to use Amazon Smile when ordering:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/22-2485466

Read a Review in The Mirror: 

Wisdom Rising – a Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine by Lama Tsultrim Allione is a multi-layered chronicle of the feminine principle and its importance for both personal and global evolution of the planet at this moment in time, to continue reading this review, visit www.melong.com 

Help Liam Shannon Sing Opera this Summer

Liam Shannon, son of Miranda and John Shannon has an opportunity to study opera this summer in Italy. We love to support our younger generation. He writes: 

My name is Liam Shannon. I am 20 years old, and I study classical voice on a scholarship at Bennington College.

Music has always been my greatest passion. I started violin lessons at the age of six, and I played with the Springfield Youth Orchestra from late middle school through high school.  I added piano lessons at age 12, and subsequently went through a heavy metal band phase, where I played keyboards and sang.

And then I discovered opera at the age of 14! At that time I also learned that I loved theater and began acting in numerous productions.  Over time I realized that theater, singing and music could create opera. I now wanted to study voice, but it took me until I was just shy of 18 to tell my parents. Finances have been a great obstacle, but thanks to the care and kindness of my first voice teacher, Melinda Beasi, I was able to start pursuing my dream. Concurrently, I auditioned for and was accepted into the Springfield Symphony Chorus by chorus director Nikki Stoia who also appointed me the baritone section leader.

Recently I auditioned and was accepted at the Opera Lucca summer program in Lucca, Italy, recommended to me by my amazing classical voice professor, Tom Bogdan.  This program takes place June 11 through July 6, 2018.  It gives young singers the opportunities, or opera-tunities, to go to Tuscany for three weeks, and study opera in depth and simultaneously study Italian in a total immersion language program.

In order to attend the Opera Lucca Summer Program, I need your financial support. I am one of five highly artistic siblings, and my family is of modest means.  I have a work study job, and am saving up to help fund my trip. However, I need your help.

I need to raise $5,000 to help cover tuition, travel expenses, room and board by early June.  

Tuition: $2,800
Lodging: $600
Food:$950
Airfare: $1,200
Transportation: $300
Incidentals: $250

Total: $6,100

Please help me do what I love.
Thank you!
Liam  

VISIT HIS Gofundme page below:         

https://www.gofundme.com/help-liam-sing-opera-this-summer

He also has several You Tube videos you can see here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObcjjtozJjI&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7d9bf6iivI&feature=youtu.be

Lively Weekend at the Tsegyalgar East Schoolhouse Friday, March 9 - Sunday, March 11, 2018

Join us for a lively weekend starting tomorrow:

Friday, March 9 at 7:00pm - Monthly Movie Night Educational Series Presents Digital Dharma, a documentary by Dafna Yachin

Saturday, March 10: Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra for Beginners Course with authorized instructor Bodhi Krause. Drop-ins welcome if experienced.

Sunday, March 11: International Vajra Dance Day - full day including Collective Practices, Vajra Dance, and Dakini Day Ganapuja.

For full schedule, please visit: March 9 - March 11 Weekend Schedule

Transmission required for some courses and practices: World Wide Transmission (WWT) Information

Greetings on Losar from Tsegyalgar East -Year of the Earth Dog

Year of the Earth Dog

Oh you Earth Dog come

Now happiness wagging

Your familial greeting

That cheers us up as I bend to you my lovely

In display of your canine Sagacity

Ever Loyal--

                 Ever Reliable

Follow your keen scent

For sniffing out what’s apparent

Bury the bone of your content

Within our breast

For Safe Keeping

Humanitarian sustenance of justice

With your nose to the grindstone

Bark at shadows wrecking havoc at our door Growl baring teeth to terrify

Cowards who roust our peace

Lift a leg to leave your mark

While yet you enliven our joy lest we forget

The great companion you are

Forever by our side

Text by Jacqueline Gens

Illustration by Ingmar Pema Dechen

Xitro Practice for Mark Wellens at Tsegyalgar East on February 11, 2018

Collective Practices - Xitro Practice

Led by Paula Barry and Gerry Steinberg
Location: Tsegyalgar East Schoolhouse Gonpa
Time: 9:30am-10:30am
Requires transmission to attend.*

The Sunday practice is Xitro, to benefit the passing of Mark Wellens February 10,  2018, and all our Vajra brothers and sisters who have recently died, and for all those who may be in need.

Practitioners are encouraged to prepare for Sunday practices by reading and/or listening to the following materials:
Shang Shung Institute USA Bookstore, reserved items:*

The Purification of the Six Lokas (MP3 download)
The Purification of the Six Lokas (MP3 DVD)Collective practices for special days
Teachings on Shitro and Yangti Shitro - Explanation and practice (MP3 download)

The Collective Practice will be Webcast:
THE TSEGYALGAR WEBCAST IS AT: http://webcast.dzogchen.net/index.php?id=tsegyalgar-html5Password: TORMA (all capital letters)

Stay on the Tsegyalgar East Webcast page, for both computer and mobile devices.
Don't click on the live stream & mobile stream link at the top of the page. If your computer doesn't connect to the webcast try your cell phone. Send us your feedback: email bluegakyil@tsegyalgar.org, let us know that you participated in the webcast or if you had any problems connecting.

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Donate to Tsegyalgar Webcast: Donate Now

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*Some practices & courses require transmission to attend. Worldwide Transmission: more info >>

**Shang Shung Institute Shop Reserved Items: Reserved Items are the material intended for the Dzogchen Community. In order to purchase these items one must have received Direct Introduction from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, as well as Transmission for the specific practice. In order to purchase Closed Webcasts MP3’s one must also have attended that particular Retreat.