September 1, 2025
15:00 EEST
Merigar East
What is Longsal (klong gsal)? The name, which means “clarity or luminosity of the [dharmadhatu] expanse,” and is generally rendered as “Clarity of the Universe,” is the title of the cycle of treasures revealed by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, received mainly through visionary dreams.
And what is Trekchod (khregs chod)? Rinpoche explains the practice of Trekchod in terms of the Four Chogzhak (cog bzhag bzhi) of “Four Let-Alone-as-it-manifests:” the Let-Alone of the Mountain for the aspect of the body, the Let-Alone of the Ocean for the aspect of the energy of voice, and the Let-Alone of rigpa for the aspect of the mind. A fourth chogzhak is added because Tibetan practitioners are so conditioned by Tantra that they cannot conceive that the most direct, highest practice does not involve the transformation of vision through visualization, and hence the Let-Alone of Vision had to be added: don’t transform your vision; if impure vision manifest, let impure vision be, but do whatever is necessary for conceptual perceptions to self-liberate; if pure vision manifest, don’t grasp it, but let it be and carry out its spontaneously rectifying work.
In fact, as explained by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Trek (khregs) means “tied up in a bundle” and it conveys the idea of tension, whereas Chod (chod) is a passive form of the verb “to cut” (gcod) which may be translated as “to break.” Hence the essence of the practice is that whenever a thought-content is charged with an illusion of absolute truth, positive or negative value and greater or lesser importance, this gives rise to a tension—and that once one has a perfectly clear Direct Introduction and No Longer Remains in Doubt, tensions should remind us of the need to directly look into the stuff and essence of the present thought so that the Dharmakaya (the Awake essence of Mind, and hence of thought) will manifest and the thought will spontaneously liberate itself.
SMS Instructor Elías Capriles will further explain Rinpoche’s commentary, noting that for beginners it is normally impossible to remain in rigpa’s state of Let-Alone-as-it-Manifests beyond the arising of thoughts and perceptions in terms of thought; since we have the inveterate drive to grasp at the contents of thought, charging them with an illusion of absolute truth and (positive or negative) value and greater or lesser importance, the most important know-how for a beginning is how to facilitate the self-liberation (i.e. spontaneous liberation) of thoughts, so that immediately we can continue in the state of Letting-Alone-in-Rigpa: this is the essence of Trekchod.
1 September
15:00–17:00 – Replay
17:00–18:00 – Commentary with Elias Capriles
2–12 September
09:00–12:00 – Morning session
15:00–18:00 – Afternoon session
Elías Capriles is an instructor certified by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for the Santi Maha Sangha training. He received Dzogchen transmissions and practiced Dzogchen in repeated retreats in the Himalayas. He produced a comprehensive philosophical and psychological system, laid out in many books, papers and book chapters—including the book Buddhism and Dzogchen and books on transpersonal philosophy and psychology. He teaches Dzogchen inside and outside the Dzogchen Community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Transpersonal Association and his work is discussed in books on philosophy in several countries.
Elias’s teaching style takes students directly to the center, focusing on the direct experience of contemplation. Elias gives plenty of space to practice and creates interactive settings where anyone can ask about and share their experience.
Your contribution supports the activities of Gars and Lings in the Dzogchen Community.
The suggested donation for this retreat is 100 EUR.
If you’re able to give more, you’ll help cover the costs for those who cannot contribute. 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.
The retreat will be held in English. If you need translation, please indicate this in the registration form.
You can find information and links about travelling to us here.
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.
You can choose your option in the registration form below.
You can extend your stay for longer by contacting us.
We are a community and everyone can take turns to contribute to the food preparation, cooking, shopping, assisting or doing the dishes. Nonetheless, everyone is free choose the options that best suit them and also eat on their own, if they wish. Our house has a large, well-equipped kitchen for you to use.
Asociatia Comunitatea Internațională Dzogchen – Merigar East
Address: 23 August 907005 Constanta, Romania
Phone: +40755421389
