Background to the Dzogchen Pith Instructions Part 1
Part One
At the heart of the Dzogchen teachings taught by Sogyal Rinpoche, are the extraordinary pith instructions on trekchö that he received from Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje. These ‘Dzogchen Mengak’ teachings are what Rinpoche most deeply wished for his Dzogchen Mandala students to study, practise and accomplish.
The Mengak teachings begin with a series of profound topics called ‘The Background’, which Rinpoche taught thoroughly during the Three Year Retreat (2006-2009) and which were studied, more essentially, in the Dzogchen Mandala Study Programme (2015-2016).
Now in Dzogchen Beara, for the first time, we are offering a chance for Dzogchen Mandala students who have previously received these teachings to study and practise them thoroughly in a retreat setting
The retreat in November is the first of a series of three retreats which we plan to hold over three consecutive years where the teachings that Sogyal Rinpoche gave during the Three Year Retreat will be shared, reflected upon and practised.Throughout the retreat there will be a strong emphasis on invoking the blessings of the Dzogchen masters of the lineage and on the profound practice of Guru Yoga.
The teachings on this retreat have only recently been released, and have been shared in retreats in Lerab Ling and in Blueys, Australia.
Please note that this retreat will be offered in ENGLISH ONLY
TEACHERS
Designed under the guidance of Patrick Gaffney, this retreat on the Dzogchen Mengak Background teachings will be led by Rigpa Senior Teachers Valerie Baker and Ian Ives and Rigpa teacher Naomi Gassler.
CRITERIA
This event is open to students who have previously received the teachings on the Background to the Dzogchen Mengak either:
—during the 3-Year Retreat, or
—during the Dzogchen Retreat extension of September 2015, or
—the Dzogchen Study Programme of 2015- 2016.
In addition students need to:
—have completed—or almost completed—the accumulations of the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro, and
—have received one of the following empowerments: Nyingtik Yabshyi, Chetsun Nyingtik or Tigle Gyachen.
HOW TO FOLLOW & APPLY
Due to the extraordinary nature of the teachings shared, the retreat will be held in-person only and will not be shared online.
If you would like to participate in this retreat please fill out this google form before the 1st of October 2026. If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria please apply and your individual situation will be considered.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
07.30 – 08.15 Silent meditation (optional)
09.00 – 09.30 Riwo Sangchö
10.00 – 13.00 Teachings & Practice (with a short break)
13.00 – 15.00 Lunch break
15.00 – 16.30 Study session
17.00 – 18.30 Tendrel Nyesel Tsok
Location
The retreat will be held in our Temple, which is a modern example of a traditional Tibetan monastery designed to be an inspiring symbol of the Buddha’s teachings for our times.
Valerie Baker
Valerie Baker grew up in Ireland and first encountered the Buddhist teachings when she met Sogyal Rinpoche in Dublin in the early 1990s. Shortly afterwards, she visited Dzogchen Beara and stayed for 12 years, studying and practising, supporting the centre’s activities and accomplishing practice in retreat. While attending the Three Year Retreat in Lerab Ling, she designed the Home Retreat transmissions for the wider sangha. For ten years she assisted Rinpoche on his teaching events and now continues to share his teachings with the Sangha. She has directed the Dzogchen study Programme since its inception in 2015, and is part of the team holding the annual Dzogchen Mandala Retreat. Valerie spends most of her time in Lerab Ling and is passionate about spreading the wisdom of the Buddha which has been transmitted to us in an unbroken lineage from master to student, down to the present day.
Ian Ives
Ian has been studying and practicing meditation and exploring the understanding of the mind in the Buddhist tradition since he was a teenager. He has studied and trained closely with some of foremost Tibet Buddhist masters of present day and taken part on numerous retreats. Over the last decade Ian has given teachings and guided courses and retreats in Europe, Australia, North America, and online. Currently Ian is a senior teacher and a director of studies for Rigpa, an international network of centres and groups based in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Rigpa offers a thorough training in the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings, and also aims to make this wisdom accessible and relevant for anyone who is interested or could benefit. He spent over twenty years following the teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche and served as his teaching assistant for seven years. He lives in France, near Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s largest international retreat center and in addition to being a Rigpa Senior teacher, helps design and guide Rigpa’s international study and practice programme.
Naomi Gassler
Naomi Gassler is a writer, long-time meditator, and teacher in the Rigpa organisation. She trained extensively with Sogyal Rinpoche. Naomi grew up in Innsbruck, Austria. She studied physics and mathematics and received her Ph.D. from Northeastern University, Boston, USA. In 1997 she moved to Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s retreat centre in southern France, and has since then worked to help with the translation and transmission of the ancient Buddhist wisdom to the western world. She is currently compiling Sogyal Rinpoche’s life story and is passionate about transmitting his special teaching, ‘Practical Wisdom’, on incorporating the activities of daily life into one’s own spiritual path. Naomi, a transgender woman, enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family, as well as planning and constructing wooden chalets in Lerab Ling.