The Course
Have you recently attended a retreat with Namkhai Yeshi?
Or are you already practicing and wish to understand the practices more deeply and continue your path with clarity and support?
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for:
- Newcomers to the Dzogchen Community
- Those who have attended retreats with Namkhai Yeshi
- Any practitioner who wishes to deepen their understanding of Dzogchen and its living context
What is this course?
First Steps on the Path offers a clear and structured introduction to the essential elements of Dzogchen practice as transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Namkhai Yeshi.
It provides a solid foundation for understanding:
- The meaning of Direct Introduction and transmission
- The main practices commonly used in the Dzogchen Community
- The path of Santi Maha Sangha, with particular emphasis on preparation for the Base level
Discussion & Sharing space:
The Sangha App channel “First steps on the path” will always be available to ask questions, share materials, and interact with teachers and fellow practitioners.
How we will practice
- Duration: 6 months
- Meetings: every Monday or Sunday
- We will practice together regularly and progressively, guided step by step
- The course goes through the most essential practices of the Dzogchen Community, as given by Rinpoche and Namkhai Yeshi
Practicing together, with continuity and guidance, is an essential support for integrating the teachings into daily life.
Why join?
- To receive a clear and experiential basis for practice
- To feel oriented and connected within the Dzogchen Community
- To prepare yourself for Santi Maha Sangha — Base
- To practice regularly within a supportive sangha
Schedule
1 Module
January
- Monday, January 12, 2026 – Ati Guru Yoga and Meditation
- Monday, January 19, 2026 – Ati Guru Yoga and Meditation
- Monday, January 26, 2026 – First Steps: Direct Introduction and Lung
February
- Monday, February 2, 2026 – The 9 Breathings (Posture & Meditation)
- Monday, February 16, 2026 – Learning and Practicing Dance of 12 A
- Sunday, February 22, 2026 – Guru Yoga of Vajrasattva
March
- Monday, March 2, 2026 – Learning and Practicing the Song of Vajra
- Monday, March 9, 2026 – Learning and Practicing the Song of Vajra
- Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Tonglen / Loving Kindness
2nd Module
- Sunday, March 22, 2026 – Introduction to Rushen
- Monday, March 30, 2026 – Introduction to Rushen
April
- Monday, April 6, 2026 – Purification of 6 Lokas
- Monday, April 13, 2026 – Introduction to Semdzin
- Monday, April 20, 2026 – Introduction to Semdzin
- Sunday, April 26, 2026 – Lojong: peaceful living through the practice of mind trainings
May
- Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Clarity about the three sacred fundamentals
- Monday, May 11, 2026 – Guru Yoga of the White A
- Monday, May 18, 2026 – Zernga
- Sunday, May 24, 2026 – Zernga
June
- Monday, June 1, 2026- Fundamental principles of Deity Practice
- Monday, June 8, 2026- Shitro
Teachers
The teachers have extensive experience in teaching internationally, and are long time students of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. This course meets the collaboration between Gabriella Schneider, Alexander Pubants, Monica Gentile, Alexander Skwara, Anna Apraksina, Mira Mironova, Zoli Cser and Arnaud Coquillard
Donations and zoom link
Upon registration to this retreat, you can make a donation. Your donations are vital for Merigar East’s survival.
Languages
The retreat will be held in English, Russian, Hungarian.
If you do not understand these languages, upon registration, you can indicate your language and we will try to search for translation options. You can also help us by finding a volunteer translator for your language.
