Courses – Ocean

Ocean/Chronicles Funding Drive
Spring 2023

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Ocean courses are held online, most meet weekly

Live Courses

Moonbeams of Mahāmudrā: Four Yogas and Not Deviating or Straying

Elizabeth Callahan By Donation

During this six-session series, we will spend one session on each of the four yogas of mahamudra: one-pointedness, freedom from elaborations, one taste, and nonmeditation. Our focus will be on developing our experiences of the four yogas, and will include selected readings from Moonbeams.

The other two sessions will be an experiential look at the ways we deviate from emptiness (emptiness as basic nature, seal, path and remedy) and stray in relationship to the three experiences of bliss, clarity, and nonconceptuality, as presented in Moonbeams.

Open to students who have received mahamudra pointing-out instructions from a recognized vajrayana lineage holder.

Recorded Courses

recorded talks and discussions available to new participants

The Diamond Path

Martin Evans By Donation

The 1979 seminary was unique in that Rinpoche focused much of his teachings -- both mahayana and vajrayana -- on Atisha’s Lojong slogans. This emphasis on the slogans in a Vajrayana context is unusual and very helpful, especially for newer tantrikas.

Seven Tuesdays starting January 17 at 7:00 pm EasternTime
Open to tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who have received pointing out transmission from his recognized heirs

Outer, Inner and Secret Levels of Mindfulness Practice

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

Although there are many styles of mindfulness practice, they can be classified into three general categories:

Classical
Nondual
Contemporary

This course will mainly focus on the classical Buddhist mindfulness style, which is rooted in the abhidharma and which mostly occurs when there is a subject-object duality, and on the nondual Buddhist mindfulness style—as found in Mahamudra and Dzogchen—in which the meditator cultivates states without any subject-object duality. We will also keep an eye open towards the contemporary mindfulness style.

Six Mondays, starting January 16, 6:00 pm Eastern
Open to all

Mind, Symbol, and Word: The Three Levels of Vajrayana Transmission

Judy Lief and Derek Kolleeny By Donation

A Weekend Workshop
With Judy Lief and Derek Kolleeny

An exploration of The Three Lineages Vajra Assembly, taught by Vidyadhara the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in August 1976 at Karma Dzong, Boulder, Colorado

Saturday, March 25, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern
Sunday, March 26, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern

Open to tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who have received pointing out transmission from his recognized heirs

Mahamudra Aspiration of Rangjung Dorje

Gerardo Abboud By Donation

The path of Mahamudra is one of the most direct ways to realize the nature of our mind. Emphasizing contemplative practices based on meditation, our perception is transformed so that we can experience ourselves according to our true nature, ever present within us but covered by emotional and cognitive veils.

The course will include seven lectures on consecutive Thurdays, starting April 21 at 7:00 pm Eastern, plus seven tutorials on the Monday following each class, staring April 25 at 7:00 pm Eastern.
Open to all who have received pointing-out the nature of mind instructions in the mahamudra or dzogchen tradition from a recognized vajrayana lineage holder.

https://onew.chronicleproject.com/registration/

Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo: Songs of Realization & Pith Instructions

Mark Nowakowski By Donation

Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from his recognized heirs since his parinirvana. This course is recorded and will not meet in person.

Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from his recognized heirs since his parinirvana.

Profound Simplicity

Judy Lief, Chris Willcox, Mudwymn - Tavita Martinez, Damita Brown, Zoe Morris and Harry Einhorn By Donation

This course examines how to harness the practice of sitting meditation to cultivate genuineness and honesty, befriend oneself, and develop stable and natural discipline.

It draws on Chögyam Trungpa's Hinayana teachings from the Profound Treasury and Judy Lief's talks from the 2017 Crestone Profound Treasury Retreat.

Six Tuesdays: 7PM-8:30PM Eastern, March 8th-April 12th

Open to all

Ngondro Study Class

Joan Cawsey and Martin Evans By Donation

In this course we will study talks that Trungpa Rinpoche gave to new ngondro students. These talks explore subjects that are foundational to our understanding of the Vajrayana path.

Open to ngondro students of the Vidyadhara, including those who have received pointing out transmission from his recognized heirs since his parinirvana

Vajrayogini Lineage Holders, One by One

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

In this class, we will discuss and explore each of the Vajrayogini lineage holders, according to the long supplication (pages 18–32) in our Vajrayogini sadhana.

Six Mondays, starting January 24, from 6:00–7:30 pm ET
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from his recognized heirs since his parinirvana.

Development Stage Practice

Changling Rinpoche By Donation

Changling Rinpoche would like to speak to sadhaka's about development stage practice. These teachings are limited to students who are practicing a Sadhana, for which they have received abhisheka.

Two Saturdays, the first being 7:30 AM Eastern, January 30.
Open to students who are practicing a Sadhana, for which they have received abhisheka

The Experience of the Bardos, Part One

Martin Evans By Donation

Often studied from the point of view of preparing for one’s death, Trungpa Rinpoche points out that the experience of bardo is ever present in our daily lives.

Five Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Eastern, starting January 26, 2021
Open to all

Vajrayogini Self-Visualization Practice

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

The goal of this class is to increase our familiarity with the general layout and meaning of Vajrayogini practice, and at the same time develop a deeper understanding of each line.

6:00 to 7:30 pm ET.
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong.

Torma Workshop with Phil Karl

Phil Karl By Donation

Phil Karl will is offering a hands-on torma making workshop on Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 Eastern.

Saturday, January 16, 2021, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm Eastern
Open to all

Exploring Bodhichitta: Part One

Tillie Perks, Barry Boyce and Daniel Nguyen By Donation

The text for the course is Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness, by Chogyam Trungpa. It’s available in hardcover, digital, and audio editions. It is also included in The Collected Works of Chogyam Trungpa, Volume 2, available in both print and digital editions.

Five Sundays at 11:30 AM Eastern, starting November 1
Open to all

Demystifying the Protector Chants

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

There have always been questions surrounding the protector chants. These are open-ended questions that we should continue to ask ourselves and each other; this course will not be an attempt to put them to rest. Rather we will explore the chants line by line with the help of the original Tibetan texts.

Two Mondays at 6:00 pm Eastern, starting November 30
Open to all

Mindfulness and Awareness

Changling Rinpoche By Donation

Breaking News

We are delighted to announce that Changling Rinpoche will teach a third session of this course on December 12 at 7:30 AM Eastern.

The recordings of the first two sessions are available on the curriculum page for participants. If you missed the first two sessions, you are welcome to join us for the third, and to watch the video recordings of the first two.

Three Saturdays: November 7 and 21, and December 12 at 7:30 AM Eastern
Open to all who are serious about practice and not seeking eternal happiness from a weekend class.” -Changling Rinpoche

The Five Wisdoms in Meditation and Post-meditation

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

At any level of practice, insight (prajñā or jñāna) into the nature of mind and into the nature of reality plays a crucial role. But if so: What do we really mean here by prajña and jñāna? What is the difference between prajña and jñana? How are prajñā or jñāna experienced, practiced, and realized both in meditation and in post-meditation? This course will explore the five wisdoms in the context of meditation, post-meditation, and daily life based on the Buddhabhumisutra — the classical Mahayana text on this subject.

Eight Thursdays starting October 29, from 6:00–7:30pm Eastern.
Open to all who have received mahāmudrā pointing-out instructions from a recognized vajrayana lineage holder.

Discussion on the Sadhana of Mahamudra

Martin Evans By Donation

Six Tuesdays starting September 15, at 7:00 pm Eastern Time
Open to all

Abhidharma in the Context of Practice

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

We'll look at the abhidharma: a systematic analysis and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, with emphasis on working with kleshas.

Eight Sundays beginning June 14, 2020 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm EDT
Open to all

Vajrayogini in a Nutshell

Lodro Sangpo By Donation

The goal of this Vajrayogini Online Class Series is to provide a bird’s eye view of the entire Vajrayogini sadhana, including abhisheka and feast sections.

Every other Monday, June 8 - September 14, 6:00 - 7:30 PM EDT
Open to sadhakas who have received the Vajrayogini abhisheka, and have their own copy of the Sadhana of the Glorious Coemergent Mother, by the Sixth Karmapa, Thongwa Tonden.

Discussions on Sadhana Practice: Part Three

Lodro Dorje By Donation

Part Three (starting in March 2020) will explore the practical expression of the five buddha principles; peaceful practices such as Manjushri and Tara; and semi-wrathful practices such as Chakrasamvara and Vajrakilaya.

Three Sundays: Mar 29, April 26, May 24 2020. From 1:00 to 3:00 pm Eastern
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong

Recorded Lectures: Cutting Through Ego Clinging

Changling Rinpoche By Donation

A Message from Changling Rinpoche: To listen to these recorded teachings, you must have received abhisheka in an anuttarayoga sadhana and beyond (ex: Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara, Vajrakilaya, Kalachakra, Rigden and so on).

This course took place late in late 2018 and early 2019.
You must have received abhisheka in an anuttarayoga sadhana and beyond (ex: Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara, Vajrakilaya, Kalachakra, Rigden and so on).

Recorded Lecture: Changling Rinpoche on Yeshe

Changling Rinpoche By Donation

At Rinpoche's request: these recorded teachings are open to students who have received an abhisheka in an anuttarayoga sadhana and beyond (ex: Vajrayogini, Chakrasamvara, Vajrakilaya, Kalachakra, Rigden and so on).

This course took place in 2019 and consists of a single class on Yeshe.
Please read the description below to determine if you qualify. If in doubt, please contact us.

2019 Fall Tantra Group

Martin Evans By Donation

This material is provocative and inspirational as we continue to examine our essential nature and our connection to the world around us.

This course took place in 2019.
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Mark Nowakowski By Donation

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche taught a unique approach to these at the beginning of the first Vajradhatu Seminary in 1973, and also at a seminar at Karme Choling in 1974.

This course took place in the fall of 2019.
Open to all.

2019 End-of-Year Tantra Group

Martin Evans By Donation

Ocean is pleased to offer this recorded end-of-year discussion group free of charge to qualifying students.

This course took place late in 2019.
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong

The Three Lineages Vajra Assembly

Martin Evans By Donation

Recordings of our discussion on the Vajra Assembly talks. This includes the original recordings of the Assembly as well.

This course took place in early 2020.
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong.

Discussions on Sadhana Practice: Part One

Lodro Dorje By Donation

This recorded class, Part One of several, focussed on the view and practice of mahamudra and the three samadhis; coemergent wisdom and luminosity-emptiness; and the Four Immeasurables and tonglen.

This course took place late in 2019
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong

Discussions on Sadhana Practice: Part Two

Lodro Dorje By Donation

Part Three explored the practical expression of the five buddha principles; peaceful practices such as Manjushri and Tara; and semi-wrathful practices such as Chakrasamvara and Vajrakilaya.

This course took place in late 2019 to early in 2020.
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong

Recorded Lectures: An Exploration of the Four Karmas

Lodro Dorje By Donation

These classes explore the four karmas based on remarks by the Vidyadhara, other teachers, and practice commentaries. This class is open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara practitioners.

This course took place early in 2017
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong

Recorded Lectures: The Three Samadhis and the Four Binding Forces

Lodro Dorje By Donation

This course took place in the fall of 2017.
Students must have fulfilled prerequisite.

Discussion Group: Vajrayana Talks from the 1983 Seminary

The Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche By Donation

Recordings of a discussion group led by Robert Walker, Simone Lavoie and Stephen Blake.

This course took place over six weeks in 2019.
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara. The previous Tantra Discussion class is not a pre-requisite.

Recorded Lectures: Creation and Completion Stage Practices

Lodro Dorje By Donation

Recorded lectures and discussion of our exploration into the depth and breadth of vajrayana practice led by the Dorje Loppon, Lodro Dorje

This course took place in the fall of 2018.
Open to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara students of the Vidyadhara, including those who received abhisheka from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong

Recorded Lectures: The Three Samadhis and the Four Binding Forces: Part Two

Lodro Dorje By Donation

Recordings of our discussions on the key points taught by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in his teaching to our sangha in 1987 in the text Pure Appearance.

This course took place in late 2017 and early 2018
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent or the Sakyong.

https://onew.chronicleproject.com/registration/

Part Two: Lord of Whatever Arises & Ocean of Dharma

Mark Nowakowski By Donation

This course took place in 2018
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong

Lord of Whatever Arises & Ocean of Dharma, Part One

Mark Nowakowski By Donation

Contemplating several of the pith instructions of Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo and his main student, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. We used newly translated short texts of these two great teachers, using a tried and true method of group study used by the Pith Instructions Contemplation Group in Halifax for 20 years.

This course took place in 2018
Open to Tantrikas of the Vidyadhara, including those who received pointing out from the Vajra Regent and the Sakyong

Recorded Lectures: Wisdom Gone Crazy, Part One

Barry Boyce and Derek Kolleeny By Donation

In this recorded class, the instructors helped to identify the literal meanings in the sadhana and glimpse the deeper meanings by drawing on commentary by the Vidyadhara, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

This course took place in the Fall of 2015.
Open to all.

Recorded Lectures: Wisdom Gone Crazy, Part Two

Derek Kolleeny and Barry Boyce By Donation

The Sadhana of Mahamudra is a highly poetic text that expresses essential teachings of the traditions the Vidyadhara inherited from his teachers. With little or no commentary, a practitioner at any stage of the path can experience its power and presence.

This course took place in the Spring of 2016.
Open to all.

Battle of Ego

Peter Volz By Donation

Recordings of classes looking at Trungpa Rinpoche's early teachings on ego--and its many battles--offer simple and profound insight into the misconception that we possess a separate, independent "self," or ego.

This course took place over 5 weeks in the summer of 2016.
Open to all.