Open for Anyone
These progressive programs are open to anyone. A student can enter this pathway without having taken the Buddhist refuge vows or having received any previous Buddhist teachings.
The Path of Meditation Levels 1 and 2 are required for all personal students of Phakchok Rinpoche. Samye Institute has worked closely with Rinpoche to develop training courses that follow his recommended progression. The student begins by understanding the ground, reconnecting with the purity and perfection that is our innate nature. The path of meditation guides the student to an experiential recognition of this truth.
Courses
How to Meditate in Difficult Times
Tulku Migmar Tsering talks about how to effectively practice meditation during times of great suffering, chaos and change.
How to Meditate Properly
Tulku Migmar Tsering guides us through the essentials of Shamata (calm abiding) meditation.
How to Plan Your Personal Retreat
Drupla Sonam Tsering, who has completed three three-year retreats, gives practical retreat advice.
Path of Meditation Level One
Phakchok Rinpoche guides students through a year-long experiential meditation practice program.
Path of Meditation Level Two
Phakchok Rinpoche guides students to recognize the essence of thought and to distinguish mind from awareness.
The Noble Wisdom of the Time of Death Sutra
Using a classic Mahayana Sutra, Phakchok Rinpoche gives pithy practice advice covering five core topics on the Buddhist path.
Training the Mind
Phakchok Rinpoche introduces a step-by-step approach to understanding how our minds function.
Meditation as Transformation
In this teaching, Phakchok Rinpoche gives personal advice on how we can practice meditation that can lead beyond stress-reduction to genuine transformation. Rinpoche demonstrates how we can integrate self-reflection with formal practice so that our meditation develops naturally. Here he reminds us to develop an attitude of contentment and to avoid self-judgment, comparison, and expectation.
Explore Our Self-Paced Path of Meditation Course: Free Access Lessons
Each stage of the Path of Meditation is designed to take approximately one year. Individual progress will vary depending upon diligence and prior training. Students are advised to discuss progress with an instructor before moving from Level 1 to Level 2. We recommend that when you have completed the Path of Meditation 1 and 2, you proceed to study the Noble Wisdom of the Time of Death and /or the Samadhi Raja Sutra teachings. Rinpoche reminds us that these two texts condense and distill the entire traditional Buddhist Path.
Once you have completed the Path of Meditation 1 and 2, and the Samadhi Raja Sutra program, and receive the Pointing Out instruction directly, you have a choice of entering the Traditional Vajrayāna path or the Nine Yānas program. These two pathways will converge after a period of study, contemplation, and meditation.
You should choose the path that fits your interest, time availability, and inclination. An instructor will be happy to help you find the best match.
In the Footsteps of Bodhisattvas
In this uncommonly practical and experiential guide, Phakchok Rinpoche teaches us how to achieve this correct view so we can genuinely practice a meditation that will transform our lives by helping us abandon our own bad habits and hypocrisy. Edited by Jack deTar.
