Nyang System of Semde

The Retreat

The aim of the retreat is to create a base of understanding which is indispensable for practicing Dzogchen Semde as well as to learn all necessary instructions which would enable one to practice according to Nyang’s system.

Semde means “The Series of Mind” which is a title of the first of three series of Dzogchen teaching. The main principle is “From mind to the nature of mind”, so in Dzogchen Semde we discover the primordial state or Bodhicitta applying practices which use mind, dealing with thoughts, concentrations, emotions etc. But the goal is always to go beyond mind, to discover instant presence (rigpa) which is non-duality of calm state and movement.

The base of Dzogchen Semde is related to the 18 root texts (semlung), each of those is connected to its particular method of how to  discover instant presence, make one’s knowledge precise, and then continue in that knowledge according to the three statements of Guru Garab Dorje. Different masters summarized these 18 systems and compose practical systems which would help their students. Nyang ye shes ’byung gnas who lived in the 11th century composed such system that was named after him, i.e. Nyang-lugs or Nyang’s system. 5-6 centuries later, Sodogpa Lodro Gyaltsen wrote a detailed manual on how to both teach and apply this system also indicating its parallels with Dagpa Kagyu Mahamudra.

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu many times gave the instructions based on Sodogpa’s text “Instructions on Dzogchen Semde According to Nyang’s System” to his fortunate students. One of these teachings can be found in His book “Teachings on Semde by Sodogpa Lodrö Gyaltsen”

Schedule (EEST, Bucharest time)

Please register by filling in THIS FORM.

This will be a full-day retreat. More details will be provided in future.

Speaker

Igor Berkhin was born in the former Soviet Union, he began his spiritual path in the 1980s, behind the Iron Curtain. He has studied with many masters of various contemplative traditions and has also served as a translator. The most important of them is Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, a well-known master of dzogchen. He has also translated for teachers such as the brother and sister teachers Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal, and the Bonpo master Nyima Dagpa Rinpoche.

Following his meeting with his root master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1996, he was appointed by Him in 2002 as an instructor for the Santi Maha Sangha (SMS). The Santi Maha Sangha, which means “Dzogchen Community”, offers systematic learning and development opportunities in the fields of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen, both theoretically and practically.

Donations

The suggested donation to cover the expenses for organising this retreat is 280 eur.

Your donations are vital for Merigar East’s survival. If you cannot donate this amount, please consider supporting any Gar and Ling with Karma yoga. Also, contact us, explaining your circumstances. No-one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Donate Here

Languages

The retreat will be held in English.

Travelling to Merigar East

You can find information and links about travelling to us here.

Accommodation

You can stay in our facilities, we would be happy to host you. In this way, you can experience the retreat in an immersive manner, and dedicate your time to the practices. We are also 10 minutes from the sea, so you can relax and enjoy during the breaks. We offer accommodation in our dormitory (shared rooms) and in the camping.

We have also arranged accommodation nearby, BnB standard. You can choose your option in the registration form below.

You can extend your stay for longer by contacting us.

Food

We will offer 3 meals a day, cooked by lovely volunteers. The estimated daily cost is €20.