Mustang Valley Celebration and Advanced Retreat 

September 18-23, 2024

In-person at Shenten Thagye Ling located in Mustang, Nepal

It is finally time to celebrate the opening of the Bön Monastery that the foundation has been helping to build in Nepal for the past several years!

Below you can find further details on the timings and travel options for the opening celebrations of the Shenten Thagye Ling Gompa, and the Advanced Retreat following the opening ceremony.

The celebration will be on September 18th & 19th, 2024. We are pleased to announce that His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizin is trying to arrange his attendance as well. The monastery celebration is open to all. We invite you to consider a donation of $100 USD as part of attending this event, to cover costs of food, AV equipment, decorations, etc., but do choose your own level of contribution that fits with your ability to contribute.

The advanced teaching retreat will follow the celebration and take place from September 20th – 23rd, 2024 in Lubrak which is about 30 mins travel by car from the hotels in Jomsom. If you wish there is a very basic guest house in Lubrak. Given the unique setting of Lubrak with immense sky and mountains, Geshe Sonam and John Jackson are suggesting offering Togyal practices along with in-depth discussions of these important practices. More information will be coming on this. For those who are staying on to attend the advanced teaching, we are requesting a $500 contribution for this unique experience.

In terms of travel, the button below provides an option from the travel company Thamserku that we partnered with for our retreat in 2019. Thamserku is run by Namgyal Sherpa whose family has a long and deep relationship with Nepal and the area. This is an inclusive B&B package at the luxury hotel Shinta Mani and so the prices reflect that. Please note that these prices are provided as a special consideration from our past collaboration with Namgyal and as gracious support to our foundation initiatives.

There are other hotels available at different price points. Thamserku will help you secure whatever accommodation works best for you and will also provide any necessary visas, flight connections and ground transportation. This is included in their fees. This package does not include travel to and from Kathmandu. Feel free to request customized itineraries based on your needs or other travel plans.

While we have worked with Thamserku to assist you with your travels, you are also welcome to work with another travel service if you prefer. MBF will not be arranging any individual or group travel.

Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions about the celebration or retreat as you are making your decisions. We have a limited number of spaces, so if you’re interested in attending the celebrations and/or teachings, please let us know as soon as possible.

Fall Retreat with Geshe Sonam and John Jackson

October 17-20, 2024

In-person at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center located East of Los Angeles, California, USA & online via Zoom

At this retreat, we will dive into the ancient Tibetan practices of Tsa Lung, energizing your body through breath and movement, while exploring the profound teachings of the Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Both Zoom and in-person participation will be available for this retreat.

If you register by August 1st, you can save $150 on your registration fee! Simply use the discount code: “Fall Retreat” during the registration process.

If you have questions about this retreat, we encourage you to reach out to Daniel Ahern ([email protected]), our retreat host.

Spring Retreat with Geshe Sonam

May 4-10, 2025

In-person in Boston, MA, USA & online via Zoom

May 4th will be a One-Day Meditation Retreat with Geshe Sonam that is open to all levels of experience. May 5th-10th will be Teachings on Phowa and the Bardo.

For more information contact David Flynn ([email protected]), our retreat host.

Dzogchen Liberation Workshop

May 12-17, 2025

In-person in Weggis, Switzerland & online via Zoom

Interactive Workshop to explore the four differing modes of Liberation, ‘door’ into Dzogchen – Great Completion. Hosted by Thomas Schneider and others, with Geshe Sonam as guest instructor. Attendance is limited.

For more information on the workshop content, contact Thomas Schneider ([email protected]) or for registration, contact Adi Freeman ([email protected]), or click here.

Meditation Retreat in Germany

August 24-30, 2025

In-person at “Buddhas Weg” – monastery and retreat center located at Siedelsbrunn south of Frankfurt, Germany

For all who want to make a deep dive into the adventure of meditation. For all who want to pump up their meditation experience. For all who are ready to open up to meditation with a curious, fresh and open mind.

This retreat has been inspired by the practice of Atri – a system of Bon Po Dzog Chen Meditation. It covers the range from concentration with and without object to the introduction into the natural state of mind and awakened awareness. The course has been developed in close consultation with Geshe Sonam. The curriculum has been adapted to the West and is sparing in its use of traditional elements like preliminaries and prayers. It uses elements of western psychology and methods of the Diamond Approach® like self-inquiry.

The retreat will be mainly in German language. Teachers are Thomas and Kornelia Schneider. Geshe Sonam will participate by Zoom for a teaching and Q&A.

For information and registration, please reach out to Thomas Schneider (schneider-
[email protected]).

Fall Retreat featuring Tibetan Yoga and Conduct of the Yogis

September 19-28, 2025

In person or online via Zoom at the Serenity Ridge Retreat Center in Shipman, Virginia, USA.