Welcome
We are a traditional Nyingma Buddhist non-profit that offers classes, group practice, and workshops online, and in-person events and short retreats at our Calaveras County, California practice space. The best way to keep up with everything we are doing is to subscribe to our newsletter below.
Clearing the Way to Awakening
A talk and book signing with Loppon Yudron Wangmo
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Wisdom Center
The Galleria
Suite 240: Community Room
740 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA
In her first talk for the Wisdom Center, Loppon will talk about what awakening (commonly known as enlightenment) is, what prevents us from finding our way there, and the practices those regarded as awakened in Tibet all had in common. Taking a non-sectarian approach, she will address both our modern doubts and concerns about karma, rebirth, and gurus and the joy and satisfaction that comes from accomplishing a focused progression of varied practices.
Her new book is called Clearing the Way to Awakening: a Nine-Step Practice from Tibetan Buddhism. You can find it through all the usual online booksellers and copies will be available at the event.
Compassion and Wisdom
A Small Study and Practice Group
Sundays, February 2nd through May 25th.
9 - 10:30 am Pacific Time
10 - 11:30 Mountain
11 - 12:30 Central
12 - 1:30 pm Eastern
5 - 6:30 pm London
Compassion and Wisdom
An online study and practice group on Tibetan Buddhist practice.
Sundays, February 2nd through May 25th.
9 - 10:30 am Pacific Time
10 - 11:30 Mountain
11 - 12:30 Central
12 - 1:30 pm Eastern
5 - 6:30 pm London
Registration
You can schedule yourself to attend as many or few of the sessions as you wish. Consider coming frequently so that you can build supportive relationships with both the instructor and peers. Registration is free, and a donation in an amount of your choosing is made to the foundation.
Prerequisites
Some familiarity with meditation and Buddhism will be helpful. If you have not yet had a formal Refuge ceremony, one will be available to you on request.
Description
The class will do double-duty as an introduction to Tibetan Buddhist practice for beginners, and as a support to people who have started any Nyingma foundational practices (ngondro) accumulation.
We will be practicing on one of the Dudjom Tersar ngondro practices in class. That text features the wisdom Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Guru Rinpoche, representing the principles of compassion and wisdom. It is known as the Dakini Heart Essence ngondro.
Participants will have their cameras on and to interact with others in breakout rooms.
Required Reading or Listening: Clearing the Way to Awakening: A Nine-step Practice from Tibetan Buddhism by Loppon Yudron. Participants will be expected to read a chapter per week. (Yudron will not be repeating what she said in the book in class.) The book is available for reading on any device and in paperback. By that time, it will also be available in audiobook form.
The practice text, the Dakini Heart Essence Foundation Practice, from the Dudjom Tersar tradition, is contained in the book and as a pdf download for audiobook users.
Special Practice Days
2025
Thursday, January 9 — Guru Rinpoche Day
Friday, January 24 — Dakini Day
Friday, February 7 — Guru Rinpoche Day
Sunday, February 23 — Dakini Day
Friday, February 28 — Losar Day
Classes and Consultations
By Donation
Offering
By donation
By donation
By donation.
By Donation
By Donation
Hold fast to the supreme Dharma for your own good, and help others without arrogance or pride. Through view, meditation, and conduct you will be freed.
Yeshe Tsogyal
About Loppon Yudron Wangmo
Founder and Director
Yudron Wangmo began studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism in the early 1990's, balancing in-depth practice and service to her Tibetan teachers with her work as a nurse, nurse practitioner, and healer.
Later, she completed lengthy meditation retreats, including the traditional three-year three-month group retreat in California under the guidance of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. Her main mentors have been Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche, and Adzom Paylo Rinpoche.
Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche officially authorized her to teach in 2017. In 2020, Ngakpa Karma Lhundup Rinpoche asked her to teach Vajrayana gradually, starting with the Heart Essence of Dakini, a treasure of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, later Throma Nakmo, and always Guru Rinpoche.