The retreat
Experience yourself directly
In this four-day retreat the Dzogchen Master Namkhai Yeshi will offer deep insights and interconnections to introduce participants into their real nature — called Dzogchen — that is, to experience oneself directly, without any kind of intellectual analysis. His teachings, also transmitted through artistic works, do not change the individual from the outside, but awaken her or him internally.
Alongside his teaching activity, Namkhai Yeshi has cultivated other fields of expression and transmission of these experiences. Trained in electronic music at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, today he composes music on the computer.
He uses the sound and language of electroacoustic music to make ancient knowledge and meditative experience accessible.
On Namkhai Yeshi
The teaching
What the four Chogshags are
Dzogchen means the great perfection. Its starting point is that our real nature is already complete: nothing needs to be added to it, and nothing needs to be built. It needs to be recognised.
Tregchöd is the practice of that recognition — total relaxation, in which the state is discovered concretely rather than reasoned about. “The practice of Tregchöd means that we discover our real nature concretely, without remaining in doubt… Then we try to be in that state forever.”
The four Chogshags are how that state is sustained — the way of applying Tregchöd. They are not four techniques to master, but four ways of leaving things exactly as they are.
Chogshag means remaining in one’s own condition, as it is, without changing or modifying anything.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
Those famous four Chogjags are only how we continue, how we integrate.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu · Merigar, 2000
Languages
Given in English, with Spanish translation
Onsite and online
English — spoken Spanish
More to be announced
Online streaming in several other languages will be announced soon.
Programme
Four days at the Gar
Thursday 15 October
| Time | Session | Where | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | Teachings | Conference Hall | Onsite & online |
Friday 16 October
| Time | Session | Where | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Teachings | Conference Hall | Onsite & online |
Saturday 17 October
| Time | Session | Where | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Teachings | Conference Hall | Onsite & online |
Sunday 18 October
| Time | Session | Where | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Teachings | Conference Hall | Onsite & online |
Times are shown in GMT/UTC+1 (Tenerife time). The first session begins on Thursday at 16:00 and the retreat ends around noon on Sunday. The programme may be subject to change — more details will be announced soon.
Visiting
Coming to Tenerife
Accommodation
Book as early as you can
There are only a few weeks left before the retreat. To secure the best options we strongly recommend booking your flights, accommodation and car rental as soon as possible. Accessible options are listed on the accommodation page.
Attending in person
Before you arrive
Please take a moment to read the onsite information. It helps ensure a smooth registration confirmation, and an enjoyable stay for you and everyone involved.
Join us at the Gar, or from home
We are doing our best to offer you an exceptional experience. Donations are very welcome — you can make yours through the same page during registration.