This program will be an intensive training into Mahamudra, which brings one to the realization of Awareness-Emptiness, also spoken about as Clarity, Luminosity, and Emptiness. Mahamudra is the pinnacle of teachings and realization in the Kagyu and Shangpa traditions, as exemplified by Milarepa, Niguma, and Sukhasiddhi, along with many other great masters. The path and realization of Mahamudra lead us to complete freedom, love, peace, joy, and equanimity which abide at the core of our being. This allows our actions to flow naturally from awakened presence. Along the path we learn to allow our uncomfortable emotions and unskillful habitual patterns to be liberated into wisdom.

In this program participants will be guided step-by-step experientially in Samatha/Calm Abiding, and then into the Mahamudra Vipashyana/Insight meditation. We will also engage with Mahamudra teachings and Dohas/Songs of Realization. Students at Sukhasiddhi Foundation make deep abiding friendships, supporting each other on the path of awakening. It is a joyous process.

Each year there will be two in-person, non-residential retreats of six days along with four 2-day weekend retreats that will be hybrid and placed in between the longer retreats. Participants will also meet with Lama Palden individually three times a year. The program will be held at Wisdom River Center in Novato, California.