Kalachakra Ngondro Program | Module 9: WENSUM Deep Dive
This event is available Online only.
You may register at the Dzokden Kalapa website.
ONLINE. This program will be in English. We will not be able to offer live translations in any other language, however, we can offer access to the practice texts in various languages. Please send your registration at the Dzokden Kalapa registration page as soon as you decide to register, so that we can plan accordingly.
Later registration and starting are possible because the sessions are recorded.
MODULE 9: WENSUM Deep Dive
Weekend Webinar: 24th – 26th October
VIENNA TIME (CEST)
FRIDAY 24th October
18.30 – 20.00
SATURDAY 25th October
10.00 – 11.30
14.00 – 15:30
18.30 – 20.00
SUNDAY 26th October
10.00 – 11.30
+ 2 Additional Sessions: Wednesday 29th October (CEST 18.30 – 20:00), Wednesday 5th November (CET 18.30 – 20:00)
+ Homework
+ 1 Group Discussion on Wednesday 12th November (18.30 – 20.00)
DESCRIPTION:
Module 8 — WENSUM (Three Isolations)
The previous preliminary practices are common across various Vajrayāna traditions, and although they may be practiced slightly differently, the intended result is generally similar. Innate Kālachakra Practice and Wensum (Three Isolations) are considered Unique Preliminaries as they are specific to the Jonang-Kālachakra Ngondro system.
Up to this point of our spiritual path, our use of conceptual methods has been instrumental in removing our many layers of misconception, but as they are embedded in the dualistic mind, these methods function as a subtle barrier to experiencing our definitive nature. For this reason, we need now to abandon them in favor of a direct approach that works without conceptual fabrications. We can achieve this transformation from conceptual to non-conceptual in two steps. Firstly, we are introduced to the Kālachakra view by receiving the Four Higher Empowerments. Secondly, with the establishment of this view, we use the unique meditation technique of the Three Isolations (Wensum) to cut the proliferation of thoughts and abide in the nature of the mind. (Khentrul Rinpoché).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, vajra students of Shar Khentrul Rinpoché, who have received from him the Higher Empowerments and the Wensum (Three Isolations) pith instructions, will have the opportunity to dive deep into a greater understanding and practice of this unique preliminary of the Kālachakra path. It is designed for both new and veteran Wensum practitioners who want to deepen their practice or who wish for support and guidance on establishing a solid practice in preparation for the Six Vajra Yogas.
During this course, we will examine all the translated Wensum material in a deep dive approach, under the lens of extended teachings and explanations given by Rinpoché after the publication of his books and restricted texts. As Rinpoché has always taught Wensum from different angles, depending on his audience, exploring a consolidated presentation of his various teachings is extremely helpful for gaining insight into the practice.
Resident teacher at Kalapa, Rafa Lobsang Dorje, will offer this course with Rinpoché’s blessings, based on the extensive Wensum teachings he has received from Rinpoché since 2017. Additionally, he completed a strict 45-day Wensum retreat in 2020 and, since 2021, has been leading Wensum retreats at Kalapa regularly.
Content Overview:
1 – Overview and presentation of all materials currently available for the Wensum practice.
2 – Additional explanations based on in-person Wensum teachings from Rinpoché.
3 – Multiple and flexible ways to practice Wensum within the three sādhanas “Divine Ladder,” “Enlightening the Heart,” and “Secret Dakini Treasure.”
4 – Perspective, encouragement, and advice regarding how to implement a stable solo practice that accords with your current life circumstances, as well as advice on informal practice.
5 – Q&A opportunities and space for exchange and discussion to help alleviate concerns, doubts, challenges, and so forth, regarding the practice.
About the KALACHAKRA NGONDRO PROGRAM
About the KALACHAKRA NGONDRO PROGRAM
The Kālachakra Ngondro Program is a 2-year-long program created for students who want to deepen themselves in the Kālachakra Path in a structured, step-by-step guided process.
The Ngondro — also called the “Preliminary Practices” — prepares you to uncover your own Buddha nature. If you want to completely unveil this perfect nature, the Kālachakra Ngondro prepares you for the very subtle and profound yogic practices of the Completion Stage called the ‘Six Vajra Yogas’ of the Kālachakra Tantra. Shar Khentrul Rinpoché offers a flexible approach to embrace a variety of practitioners because being fixed on only one traditional way may not be a match for everyone. Developing familiarity with the Kālachakra Ngondro practices can be adjusted individually according to your own personal inclination.
In case you want to have access to these previous Modules (recommended), please find them here:
MODULE 1, MODULE 2, MODULE 3, MODULE 3, MODULE 4, MODULE 5, MODULE 6, MODULE 7, MODULE 8
General Requirements and Info
There are no formal prerequisites for the previous Modules 1 – 7. Pre-requisite for the current Module 9:
The minimum requirement is to have received the Higher Empowerments from Shar Khentrul Rinpoché on any occasion, such as in Tibet 2015, Australia 2016 (or before), Bodhgaya 2017, Kalapa 2017, the US 2017-18, Mongolia 2022, Kalapa 2023, Boulder 2023, Kalapa 2024, and so forth. If you have attended one of these Higher Empowerments, you can proceed to registration.
You do not need, however, to have previously attended the Higher Empowerments specifically at the Dzokden Kalapa Retreat Center, and it is not necessary to have participated in a long Wensum retreat before.
If you have not yet received the Higher Empowerments from Rinpoché and wish to attend this course, they are being offered in the Summer of 2025. Click here to apply.
This course is for you:
1 – If you have recently started the Wensum practice and would like to enhance your understanding so as to better progress on your path.
2 – If you are a veteran who has received the Wensum teachings and would like support through either deepening your understanding of the practice or establishing a stable practice to initiate in your own time.
3 – If you would like to learn how to bring variation and flexibility into your Wensum practice.
4 – If you would like guided support and inspiration to improve your progress or alleviate obstacles to your Wensum practice.
Structure of the Modules and Schedule
The program follows the structure of the Kālachakra Path as presented by the Jonang-Kālachakra Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is divided into Outer Preliminaries (2 modules), Inner Preliminaries (5 modules), and Unique Preliminaries (2 modules).
Each module includes a weekend webinar of teachings and practice led by an authorized Ngongdro Teacher and by practices guided by other senior students approved by Rinpoché, followed by two group practice sessions of ca. 90 min. each, and one Dharma discussion session where questions can be addressed to the Ngondro Teacher and where you can exchange with other participants.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE for the current module: (subject to changes)
Session 1: Hidden Treasure and Sacred Truth 3 — Wensum deep dive
Session 2: Wensum Practice with the DIVINE LADDER + advice regarding the Wensum section
Session 3: Sacred Truth 3 + Higher Empowerments Manual — Wensum deep dive
Session 4: Wensum Practice with ENLIGHTENING THE HEART + advice regarding the Wensum section
Session 5: Higher Empowerments Manual — Wensum deep dive
Session 6: Wensum Practice with SECRET DAKINI TREASURE + advice regarding Wensum section
Session 7: Higher Empowerments Manual deep dive + Presentation of Kunpang Tsondru’s Wensum Manual
Session 8: Concluding Group Discussion based on prepared questions for reflection
Sprecher
-
Rafa Lobsang DorjeRafa Lobsang Dorje (Rafael Nassif) kam erstmalig 2008 in Kontakt mit dem Buddhismus, nachdem er in seiner Heimat Brasilien andere Systeme der spirituellen Praxis praktiziert hatte. Er nahm an verschiedenen Gruppen- und Einzeltetreats in Europa, Indien und Tibet teil. Dort erhielt er die kostbaren Gelegenheiten, Belehrungen, Übertragungen und Ermächtigungen von MeisterInnen fast aller Schulen des tibetischen Buddhismus und auch der Theravada-Tradition zu erhalten. Er hatte das Glück, 2015 seinen kostbaren Guru Jamphel Lodrö (Khentrul Rinpoche) in She Drup Ling-Österreich zu begegnen. Durch ihn erhielt er eine umfangreiche und tiefgründige Dharma-Unterweisungen, beginnend bei den Grundlagen bis hin zu den Kalachakra-Vajrayogas. Seit 2016 unterrichtet er Lu Jong (Tibetisches Heilyoga). 2018 erhielt er von Rinpoche die Erlaubnis, das Kalachakra-Ngöndro zu unterrichten. Kürzlich reduzierte er seine beruflichen Aktivitäten als Komponist, um den altruistischen Idealen seines Gurus als Vollzeit-Ehrenamtlicher in unserer Dzokden-Gemeinschaft zu dienen. Er dient der Dzokden-Gemeinschaft u. a. als Übersetzer, Redakteur und Koordinator für die Übersetzungsgruppen in deutscher und portugiesischer Sprache.
