The first Home Retreat 2.0 students have graduated!
Home Retreat 2.0 team
A group of Rigpa students from Australia, Netherlands, Ireland and Mexico are feeling incredibly grateful and celebrating, having recently graduated from the 7-year Home Retreat 2.0 programme.
The ‘Home Retreat 2.0’ programme shares the vast and unique body of teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche. It is embedded in the lineage of the Longchen Nyingtik and the teachings of the ‘Great Perfection’, as upheld by Sogyal Rinpoche; a dynamic, unbroken, living lineage of wisdom and compassion that leads us on a gradual journey from the foundational teachings through the three yanas, all the way to the path of Dzogpachenpo.
The graduation group shares their transformative experience.
👉🏽 The next intake of this programme starts on 1 July 2025 and will be offered in English and German. More info
Home Retreat 2.0 group at the concluding retreat, together with sangha friends
Throughout the past seven years we have been held in Rinpoche’s blessings, guided by Sherab in her great capacity and love for the teachings, cared for and nurtured by our tireless instructors and support team, and joyfully sustained by the love we have for one another.
In our first year, we established the foundation for our spiritual path through studies based on the Mengak Study Pack*.
We entered the Bodhisattva path in year two and completed an in-depth study of bodhichitta, a theme that continued into year three, culminating in our first in person and online Blueys retreat on Vipashyana.
In year four we entered into the vajrayana phase of the home retreat and with it the elaborate study of the Longchen Nyngtik Ngöndro based on the Kunzang Lama’i Shelung and Zindri.
Our study of the Ngöndro continued through year five and into year six where we focused almost entirely on the practice of devotion and Guru Yoga. During that time we enjoyed two “nature of mind” retreats in Blueys, Finding Confidence in the Master’s Blessings and Timeless Awareness.
Our final year of the program has focused on the study and practice of Rigpa’s main Vajrayana sadhanas, culminating in our most recent profound retreat where we received key pith instructions and clarifications on ‘Having the Courage to Be’.
In May we held a retreat titled ‘Having the Courage to Be’ which focused on teachings on the nature of mind. Most of the Home Retreatants completing the programme were present and celebrated together with a graduation ceremony.
“What a gift it has been to journey together from the foundational teachings through the three yanas, all the way to the path of Dzogpachenpo.”
In this world, in these times, committing to and completing a program of study and practice such as this, and taming, working with and transforming our minds is exceptionally rare and precious. May the Home Retreat continue to bring benefit to countless beings for aeons to come!
Below are some expressions of gratitude and insight from students who reflected on “What does the Home Retreat 2.0 mean to me?”
Year 7.0 Home Retreatants & the Australian HR 2.0 Team
What does the Home Retreat 2.0 mean to me?
“To summarise the home retreat for me is to relate it to taking refuge and the three jewels. Taking refuge in the dharma was quite easy because I could try the methods out and they worked. Taking refuge in the Lama was more difficult. Opening up to Rinpoche was terrifying, but I also remember the line in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying about our deepest fear guarding our greatest treasure. It took many years to wear that resistance down. Then when it finally did, everything opened up. My life became simpler and more joyful, and my relationships became clearer and more caring and honest. My relationships amongst the sangha are the most intimate and loving that I have ever known. This all happened within the constant support of the Home Retreat teachings, instructors and fellow students. It truly has changed my life immeasurably.” Neil
“The Home Retreat has given me a deep understanding and foundation of taking refuge, and I know and have experienced that Guru Rinpoche is with me always. In times of great need, he has been there supporting me. Deep gratitude to Sherab for driving the Home Retreat and to all those who have supported us over the time.” Jenny
“I started searching in about 2008 to be a Sufi as it appealed to me, although spinning round in circles would have been challenging! Within that search the word Dzogchen appeared, along with the word Sufi. I had no idea, indeed, I couldn't even pronounce that weird word Dzogchen. To make matters more interesting the article contained a poem by a 16th Century Sufi poet. I had no idea what I was reading but I felt it meant something and all would be revealed. I had vaguely heard about The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, but had never read it. As I read this poem I'm not too sure what happened but Sogyal Rinpoche, Buddhism, Dudjom Rinpoche felt very familiar. I bought a copy of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Move along a few years reading, studying, contemplating The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and commencing the HR 2.0. During the 7 years of Home Retreat the poem never left me...the search had begun & still continues...and is still unfolding.” Julie
