Know your mind. Transform your life.

This weekend retreat will take you to the heart of the still revolutionary insight of Buddhism, that life and death are in the mind, and nowhere else. In Dzogchen—the most direct stream of wisdom within the teachings of Buddhism—the mind is revealed as the universal basis of experience: the creator of happiness and the creator of suffering, the creator of what we call samsara and what we call nirvana.

Through a dynamic process of hearing, reflection, and meditation, guided by the teachings of the Buddha and based on our own direct experience, we will investigate exactly how the mind is the root of our entire reality. This exploration leads to a profound certainty and confidence in our mind's intrinsic essence: the unchanging, pure awareness that underlies the whole of life and death.

From this foundation of trust in our inherently pure nature, we will cultivate a deep inner conviction that the mind's appearances—its unending display of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions—are indeed workable. It is truly possible to 'tame this mind of ours’, and through this find the peace, compassion, and wisdom that are at the heart of who we really are.

The retreat will allow for reflection and meditation on the teachings that are shared tailored to each participants' prior experience: from complete beginners to Rigpa meditation, ngondro, and dzogchen mandala students.

Jan began his path of meditation at 17 years old, touched by the tenderness of the human experience and filled with questions about what reality was all about. Forty years later, Jan continues to be moved by the vast profundity of the Buddhist path and its vision of the inherent wisdom, loving kindness and strength that lies in the minds of each and every one of us.

Jan completed Rigpa’s three-year retreat under the guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche. He was entrusted as one of Rigpa’s Senior teachers by Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche and Mindroling Jetsun Khandro in 2022. Jan has been a participant in the Milinda program since 2017. Milinda is a 10-year, international Buddhist teacher training program under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, with a three month per year intensive and immersive in-person learning and reflection program.

Jan grew up in the Netherlands where he obtained a Masters Degree in Social and Historical Anthropology. He has lived in Brisbane, Australia, since 1998, and was instrumental in founding Rigpa Brisbane in 1999, where he has served as a Dharma instructor for over 20 years.

This event will be held in person and online.

* Online Zoom details for online attendees will be in the eventbrite reminder emails 2 days and 2 hours before the event.

Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, equipment etc. Thank you for your support.

Suggested donation: £120
Concessions: £60
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