Dakini's Whisper Monthly Journal - May 2023 |
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FOOTSTEPS INTO DAKINI JOURNEY IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD The Heart of Chö, Volume Two A Deeply Personal and Intimate Experience |
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(Artwork by Soyolmaa Savaakhuu) |
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dakini is everywhere and nowhere, just here and now. I have felt the undeniable presence of these awakened embodiments of the buddha mind on various occasions in my life. This is one of those times. Dakinis have been indispensable in assisting me in this adventure. Without them, there would be no Dakini Journey. First, my heartfelt gratitude, which can never be expressed enough: To the Dakinis who manifested as all my teachers, picking me up from the sea of confusion and complexity and ushering me to the true nature of that same sea. These Dakinis held my hands and intimately whispered into my ears nectar-like, wise secrets of ancient wisdom. Without my teachers, there would have been no path. Without a path, there would have been no experience. Without experience, there would have been no Dakini Journey. Especially, the Ninth Khalkha Jetsün Dampa, to you I eternally bow…. Dakini is everywhere and nowhere but here and now. Each one of you has left your imprint on Dakini Journey, here and now, a natural unfoldment of the interconnectedness of all beings! - Khandro-la, Excerpt from Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, The Heart of Cho Volume Two |
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INTRODUCTION As one of the student editors of Khandro-la’s book, Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, Dakini has most assuredly come alive in my life through her teachings, meditations, and provocative student dialogue. Water Dakini showered me with adaptability to unexpected twists and turns; Ratna Dakini held the jeweled treasures of the book up for me to see continuously; Padme Dakini gave me the passion to see the fruition of this book as a gift to the universe in celebration of all the Dakinis in the universe, especially those who leave this earth too early; Karma Dakini showered me with that “keep going” intention when some days it felt like we were taking one step forward and two steps backward; and the vast openness of Buddha Dakini held it all, always. |
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In this May Journal, we invite you to come along on this Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, where you can discover these Dakini qualities in your life and in you, and embody them for the sake of all beings. - Ellen Green, DW Team |
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NEW BOOK LAUNCH! On Sunday, May 21, Dakini’s Whisper celebrated the publication of Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, with Khandro-la. Her students were curious to hear about her own “dakini journey” that led to the creation of this unique, distinctly personal, and profound book, so she took questions from them and responded, as always, from her bodhicitta heart and wisdom mind. Listen to one of these heartwarming and insightful interactions. |
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Watch more videos related to this and other dharma topics! |
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“Dakini Journey is an invitation to immerse ourselves in the aspiration to become immense and benevolent ambassadors for all the world, transforming personal and global challenges into wisdom, love, and strength.” - DAKINI JOURNEY IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD |
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A Modern Approach to This Challenging Subject [Student:] You have said that Dakini is a very challenging subject and you have made it more accessible to us in your book with a modern approach. What is a modern approach?
[Khandro-la:] The meaning of Dakini will unfold as you read the book. It has many different levels of understanding and meanings. The subject of Dakini is ambiguous, difficult, and challenging, yet she is a most significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In Dakini Journey, I looked at Dakini from the lens of the so-called Five-Energies, Five-Elements, or the five elemental expressions of inner wakefulness, innate goodness, buddha nature, or who are what you truly are, which is ineffable. This buddha nature manifests in these five, I call them, flavors or qualities which I explore instead of the classical, more traditional theme of a psychological understanding of the Five Buddha Families. That’s very popular - the Five Wisdoms that correlate with the five kleshas and the transformation between those two. Everything can be explained by these five elemental energies, externally, and internally. So this approach makes it experiential. It’s up to you how to use this approach in your daily life. Delighting in the Challenge! [Student:] When you were writing this book, what was the most challenging part of it for you? [Khandro-la:] Everything! Writing down and trying to communicate Dakini’s teachings to whoever reads the book was challenging. Putting it all together in a sequential or cohesive manner was quite difficult. We had so many different levels of material to draw from. But I took that challenge, I delighted in it. I was always like that. I lived my life on the margin, not the mainstream, always the margin. Dakini teachings here refer to many things - teachings done by and about Dakini, her teachings through the lens of my own interpretation and understanding, and my own personal experience of Dakinis. They are quite loaded, these Dakini teachings. I wanted to create something that would guide an individual on this pilgrimage called Dakini Journey, from beginning to end. For instance, when you open the book and read the Invitation, you bring some kind of curiosity to enter the Journey. Then, right away, the first chapter is a pointing-out instruction. There was no model for Dakini Journey. So, I used the Mahamudra teaching model - View, Mediation, and Conduct. I applied these three perspectives or approaches as a sort of roadmap because the Dakini Journey is no different from the Mahamudra Journey. In the book, there are three sections, based on this model. What is Dakini? is the view. The second section is meditation or practice. Then the third is how we apply it, that's conduct, embodiment, how we bring this to the world, how we live life - Dakini life - day by day. In other words, this is a Lam Rim, “Dakini Lam Rim.” Dakini Journey is a Dakini path, Dakini as a path, a map to traverse the path with Dakini and as Dakini, with confidence and joy. Check out "Ask Khandro-la" Blog Posts related to this subject! |
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How to say thank you to a group of Dakinis whose hearts burned with benevolence in the making of this book? At various times while Khandro-la was writing Dakini Journey she would say something like, “This book is a product of Dakini activities!” There is no doubt this was true, and we wholeheartedly want to acknowledge and express gratitude to each Dakini and Daka who contributed to the making of this Dakini Journey. Whether transcribing teachings, editing the manuscript, or creating art, inspired by our teacher, Dakini’s Whisper students and friends gave selflessly of their time with their bodhicitta intention. Here some of these Dakinis have shared their intimate and deeply personal experience with the “makings” of Dakini Journey. |
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Elemental Dakinis as Art When Khandro-la asked me to create the artwork for her forthcoming book, I was simultaneously surprised, elated, and terrified. I have had a long-term art practice of making non-conceptual ephemeral artworks in Nature, but I had not worked in this way with a concept first. How was I going to achieve this? One day I was at the beach near a stream outlet and saw that children had been playing there. As the remains of their play left pools of brownish-stained water in the sand – I thought ha! I am going to utilize that idea and made my own patterns of flow lines along the edge of the stream – drawing with the water so to speak. I took lots of photos and then played with mirroring them and this water serpent Dakini came to life! |
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Thus, Vajra Dakini was the catalyst for the series, she created the flow. From there I had some kind of loose foundational process to allow for the other four Dakinis to emerge. I thought about the colors, elements, activities, and paradoxes that each embodies and was constantly on the lookout for appropriate materials, elements, and places to create images that held them. This creative process brought the Five Dakinis to life in my life in a very visceral way. It was fun, challenging, surprising and deeply fulfilling. - Shona W. (artwork below by Shona W.) |
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Hearing Khandro-la’s Voice With Khandro-la’s second book now in circulation, as one of the key student editors, it’s a little easier to step back and take a broader look. The transcriptions of her talks needed to be combined into a single narrative—the full explanations while picking out Khandro-la’s “greatest hits!” One of the most engaging aspects of the chapters is the audience—out of view for the reader but always included in the Khandro-la’s words and intention. |
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I sat with Khandro-la when it was finally time to push the “publish” button online. I felt a sense that there was something larger happening than the two people who were present. I think that reflects on the years of work, the many hours Khandro-la sat at the feet of her teachers, and the many students who listened while she spoke the Buddha’s intentions to them. It includes so much more than you could seem to fit into 398 pages. - Peter P. |
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A Treasure Bag of Wisdom Here is my attempt at translating from Chinese the theme song of this famous Japanese cartoon, “Doraemon,” from my childhood. “Everyone’s wish is fulfilled. My happiness is higher than the sky. As everyone’s wishes are fulfilled, all are happy and laughing, jumping into their dreams and finding goodness. Climb in the miraculous treasure bag, whatever you wish for will come true. Strange, exalted and the unthinkable will come to you just the way you want it. Do you want to fly and dance with the birds? Or read music above the clouds? Look … Ding-Dong is here! Oh, Ding-Dong (his Chinese name), everyone loves you, including the little kitten.” Here in my seasoned life, I found a living Ding Dong! In my volunteer experiences from transcription projects for the new book, I witnessed Khandro-la doing what Ding Dong can. Ding Dong is not a human but he lives here and is just like one of us. He has a miracle “treasure bag,” from which everything can be pulled out, even a big truck. I don’t know if Khandro-la ever did an inventory count of her yogini’s provision bag, but I see that her bag is bottomless, like a never-ending resource. |
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Her wisdom and skilful compassion, as well as her worldly intellect and experiences, are inspiring. She is a role model of being fully human and fully spiritual. I also witnessed that her students are happy and empowered on their own wish-fulfilling journey. I am holding my breath to see what treasure she will pull out next. - Louise L. |
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Dakini As Fierce Master As we celebrate the launch of Khandro-la's new book, my mind travels back to 2020 and the publication of her first book. A swirl of unexpected emotions arise as I recognize my personal journey reflected in the "life" of these books, and in the space in between them. I suddenly understand a little better how Dakini has been with me, as me, this entire time. She would often show up just when things became most challenging, reminding me of my strength when I felt I had lost it. More frequently, she showed up as the challenge itself: a fierce master repeatedly pushing me beyond my supposed edge. At the time of the publication of the first book, I was deeply alone, feeling left out in the cold, forced to find shelter and rebuild by myself. Dakini as Cho Foundations said, "Here is the ground, here are the bones to work with." I began the work, incubating and evolving along with the creation of Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, at a pace so gradual that I mostly didn't notice the transformation occurring. By the time the new book launched, I found myself also springing forth into the next phase of my journey: more steady, more adaptable, more fiery, more capable, and more spacious. |
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From the beginning, I have felt fortunate to give a little of my time to supporting Khandro-la's work. It comes from the seed of bodhicitta that I nurture in my heart. How could I not contribute? Seeing this book launch, I feel waves of joy for all the beings who will benefit from it, as well as gratitude for our precious teacher Khandro-la and her tireless generosity and love. - Amanda S. |
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Dakini Entering My Heart When I look back at the transcriptions I completed, I realize that Khandro-la was Dakini in my life. I started volunteering early on in my involvement with Dakini's Whisper and I had tunnel vision zeroed in on Vajrayogini, so Dakini wasn't something I thought was important. Vajrayogini is Queen of Dakinis and that meant she was the only focus and practice I needed, right? On top of that, the elements have always been this concept I couldn't grasp and I really didn't want to either. I look back at that time too and know I wasn't in tune with my body somatically and of course, I knew what was best for me. Enter the assigned transcriptions my teacher knew her student needed to hear again, type out, rewind, hear again and again because that's when Dakini was able to enter my heart. My vision expanded to include somatic elemental senses that made up Vajrayogini herself. Dakini literally and figuratively ripped me limb from limb and made me find my way back together through her “chit chat.”
When I found Dakini's Whisper and Khandro-la, I knew I would be able to live the Dharma in a way that would fit into this contemporary world. Being able to assist Khandro-la bring her own Dharma into this world has been the experience of a lifetime. This lineage and its teachings are so epically special and then to be the student of the next great female master in our lineage is a slice of nirvana in this charnel ground.
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As I continue to read this book, I feel like I am walking beside a friend who is talking with me. We are being followed by Dakinis who are whispering more into my teacher's ear to share. To recognize that I have this living, breathing treasure in my hands is something I still find hard to accept I was a part of. My own Dakini Journey has been expanded because of Dakini in her many forms, to which I am grateful to Khandro-la for opening my heart and mind to see and feel. - Kate T. |
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A Tapestry of Words What a wonderful treasure this new book is! From the perspective of one who has transcribed some of her teachings, I see this book as an expression of our glorious Dakini Sangha! Everyone's "voice" is there as threads woven together into the tapestry of Khandro-la's words and teachings! |
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Here Khandro-la's words are seen, heard, and felt, entwined and integrated all together from the various transcripts by DW sangha members. With each transcription, Khandro-la's voice led me by the hand as I typed, retyped, edited and reread..... step by step along this Dakini Journey together. - Joy W. |
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Dakini’s Always At Play What a joy that Khandro-la’s new book has been published! I feel grateful for having been able to support the process in an indirect way by transcribing some of Khandro-la’s teachings. Actually, those transcribing requests felt more like a present to me. The process is a joy, because it gives me the opportunity to understand the teachings in a more profound way, not only because my native language is different, but also because spending more time listening to the words, sometimes again and again, makes me understand them more deeply. |
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It’s not always easy, lots of obstacles in the way, lots of Dakini's at play. But reflecting on that afterward, those obstacles are no more than my own mindset having this wish to complete a thing in a fixated way, dakini's are teaching lessons every step of the way. - Hester B. |
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ANCIENT WISDOM, CONTEMPORARY SAGE Choying Khandro |
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Choying Khandro, known to her students as Khandro-la, is what we define as a chodma, tantrika, dakini, teacher, yogini, householder, and great master. But if you ask her what she views herself as, Khandro-a would tell you she is a humble student herself. Stories of Mahasiddhas and other great masters cannot show us a peek into the everyday lives they lived and so, we just get to see glimpses of who they were under pressure, how their practice helped sentient beings, or how trauma was transformed into liberation. |
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The story of Choying Khandro is still being lived and when someone in the distant future writes the newest story of the Ear-Whispered Lineage great masters, they will - for the first time - be able to see sneak peeks into her everyday life through the eyes of her students. It is very apparent Khandro-la's students view her as more than a teacher and within the community Khandro-la created called Dakini's Whisper, they participate as a network cooperating and collaborating with their teacher to carry traditional Dharma into the contemporary world in ways that only Khandro-la teaches, practices, and provides commentary on. Founder and Spiritual Director of Dakini's Whisper, Khandro-la holds the complete transmissions of both Ear-Whispered Lineages of the Mount of Bliss and the Machik Dakini from her teacher, the Late His Holiness Ninth Khalkha Jetsün Dampa. Khandro-la is among the few original students who were with Khalkha Jetsün Dampa since the early 1990s. She received permission to start Dakini’s Whisper from him and was presented with teaching robes by him in 2011, which is not a common thing to be given to a laywoman in the Geluk tradition. Khandro-la translated all the primary lineage texts, engaged in retreats, and became proficient in the techniques associated with this tradition. She completed all the protocols required of the Dakini Lineage, including the Seven Night Wilderness retreat and the One-Hundred Spring Wandering Retreat which culminated in the traditional and demanding four-month wandering retreat in Mongolia in 2011. Khandro-la has also completed the traditional three-and-a-half-year tantric retreat in Oregon. In the spirit of Chö, Dakini’s Whisper exists without the backing of big and powerful institutions. By discarding some of the more conventional discourse-centered approaches to Buddhism, Khandro-la delves into the experience of self-inquiry, encouraging her students and friends to "explore their deepest longings and their deepest fears." The tagline for Dakini's Whisper is "Completely Traditional-Completely Contemporary," and that perfectly describes how Khandro-la brings the Dakini Dharma into this world like no other Buddhist community or teacher has ever done or is currently doing. Khandro-la teaches lineage practices such as trulkor, subtle body training, Dakini dancing, and highest yoga tantra stages to accompany the lineage sadhanas and prayers, thus somatically blending the body and mind with the elements and senses for a complete practice of the path. Truly, we have an up-and-coming great master that is carrying on the special Ear-Whispered Lineage who has wandered all over the world and whose story is not yet complete! SHORT BIOGRAPHY: Please read here. MEDIUM-LENGTH BIOGRAPHY: Please read here. LONG BIOGRAPHY: The Journey of a Modern-Day Yogini Traversing her Charnel Ground Please read here. REFERENCES: |
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BOOK LAUNCH This compelling journey will take you right into the heart of Dakini, the compassionate embodiment of “inner wakefulness.” Emerging from Chöying Khandro’s teachings, meditations, and dialogue with student practitioners through a period of extensive exploration of Dakini, Dakini Journey brings ancient teachings into the modern world through the lens of the five elements, our six senses, and subtle body. With her encouraging self-inquiry, we find the voice of the Dakini, or “sky-dancer,” the awakened awareness dwelling within. |
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Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World is already getting intriguing and heartfelt reviews (over 20 now!). If you haven’t already purchased the book, perhaps these reviews might inspire you to do so and leave your own review. Help us spread Dakini teachings to the world! The Kindle and Paperback are currently at a 46% discount on Amazon! | | |
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DW Sangha celebrating KL's birthday and the publication of Khandro-la's book, eager to read Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World, and embody, dakini within! |
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Here are a few highlights of the reviews. Must Read for Dakini Practitioners A beautiful and inspiring book that I have found profound. A personal and practical style that is engaging. Clearly written out of love and devotion from one practitioner to another. Sure to be a classic.
Dakini Experience A must-read for those who wish to dive into dakini and develop a deeper understanding of what dakini wisdom entails. A treasure and a rich source to keep returning to again and again. Highly recommended.
A Rare Gem A rare gem of “walking the talk” as both a scholar and practitioner. Simultaneously honors tradition without being constrained by it, and her words resonate with experiential knowledge that gives the reader a taste of the ineffable Dakini.
Sublime and Contemporary Gives us the elemental basis we need to heal and thrive through accessing the subtle body in ways that open the heart-mind as well as undo physical effects caused by the difficult underpinnings of our lives. A sublime and contemporary self-exploration into the dakini principle, drawing upon Tibetan Buddhist wisdom.
A Beautiful and Intriguing Journey Skillfully made esoteric Tibetan Buddhist ideas accessible to a beginner. A totally new and fulfilling way of seeing myself and the world. Not dry and pedantic as many books about this topic can be. It’s refreshing and full of life! Take advantage of this rare and wonderful opportunity!
An Enlightening Book on the Dakini for New and Seasoned Practitioners Explains complex terms and concepts to new practitioners of Dharma while also engaging the most seasoned of practitioners with deep insights and perspectives into the nature of the Dakini principle in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. Bringing the Dakini principle alive in one’s practice and how to fully embody it daily as well. Recommend this book to anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism and Tantra and the divine feminine.
Mirror of My Mind Practicing through the sense doors, the subtle body and the elements, her meditations and teachings reveal clearly that the dakini is a mirror of my own mind. Will remain at my bedside and on my meditation cushion for a very long time, as a spicy reminder of what is possible!”
The Heartfelt Path for Our Times Treat yourself to a copy if you have ever experienced a draw towards the Bodhisattva/Dakini path! Guides the reader in a grounded and caring way through the stages of the teaching, interweaving traditional knowledge with contemporary life.
Dakini Wisdom Comes Alive The Long Awaited Volume II! Bringing the Ear-Whispered Lineage of Cho [of the Dakinis] into this world when we most need it. Every word has been given through the focus of Dakini without silencing her. A rare treasure to be found in this world.
Dakini Is the Key to Enlightenment Explained how Dakini plays a key part on the path of enlightenment, without suggesting any superstition and not having dismissed the spiritual and mystical omniscience qualities of Dakini. The meditation scripts and teachings on Five Dakinis are applicable to today's world and can help readers develop their transformative personal relationship with the Dakini.
Engagingly Written If you want to explore what “Dakini” is about in an experiential manner, this is the book. As the title suggests, Dakini Journey does involve taking a journey, and that tour is a unique experience — your own participation in encountering the awakened, dakini energies. Brings us into the sometimes crazy, dakini world of the earlier Indian yoginis and yogis, but with a gentle guiding hand.
For a summary of this book, go to Dakini's Whisper Homepage or Kindle/Paperback Store page. |
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SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!!! Here is a new Dakini’s Corner Blog category where you can post your reflections and contemplations of the new book, DAKINI JOURNEY IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD. | | |
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DW Online Summer Retreat, 2023 Friday - Tuesday, July 14 - 18, 2023 DAKINI CHO Entering the Stream of Wandering Yogis and Yoginis |
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COMMON & UNCOMMON CHO EMPOWERMENTS Transmissions of SHIWA LAMSAB “Profound Path of Peace” KAKYABMA “Pervading Sky” DAKINI POWA OPEN TO ALL REGISTRATION REQUIRED To learn about this precious opportunity and to register, please visit our website. |
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Longing to See Dakini’s Face NEW DAKINI JOURNEY Retreat with Khandro-la Sunday, May 28,1 - 2 pm, PDT OPEN TO ALL with Registration Explore with Khandro-la how the prayers of ancient masters inspire devotion, humility, trust, diligence, perseverance, and a kind of surrender are a part of our journey. Register for the New Dakini Journey here! |
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Dive into Your "DAKINI JOURNEY" with Khandro-la Three Sundays, June 4, 11, and 18, 11 am - 12 noon, PDT OPEN TO ALL with Registration Dive into your own Dakini Journey! Join Khandro-la in exploring her new book, "Dakini Journey in the Contemporary World." These three Sunday gatherings include guided meditations, teachings on Dakini practices, and dialogue. Learn more and register here. |
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Online Subtle Body Training, Dakini Series XII TUMMO "FIERCE LADY" with Dakini Magic Wheel Part.2 5 Saturdays, 11 am - 12:30 pm, PDT, beginning June 3 OPEN TO ALL LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ABILITY JOIN Khandro-la and fellow yogis and yoginis for the exploration of the innate bliss that arises from untying the knots at certain crucial points in the subtle body. Register here by June 1! |
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