Thosamling Nunnery, Institute and Retreat Center

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

**You all are most welcome to join our next retreat!** 🌸✨

Open your heart to boundless warmth, empathy, and wisdom in our upcoming 7-day retreat: **Awakening the Heart: A Bodhicitta Retreat**, led by **Geshe Ngawang Thekchok**.

In the Mahayana tradition, *Bodhicitta*—the altruistic wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings—is considered the absolute heart of the spiritual path. This retreat offers a rare space to step away from daily noise and cultivate a mind grounded in genuine compassion, courage, and purpose.

🌿 Why Join This Retreat?

* **Transformative Teachings:** Discover practical, psychological methods to break through habits that close the heart, transform emotional patterns, and generate steady compassion in daily life.
* **Philosophical Depth & Practical Mind Training:** Through a balanced mix of clear explanations, guided reflections, and group discussions, learn how the aspiration to help others becomes a profound source of inner clarity and strength.
* **Guided by a Master Scholar:** Taught by **Geshe Ngawang Thekchok**, Thosamling’s resident teacher since 2019. Having earned the prestigious **Geshe Lharampa degree** (the highest doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy) after decades of intense monastic study, Geshela is celebrated for his deep wisdom, gentle humor, and warm, accessible teaching style.

Whether you are looking to deepen your Dharma practice or reconnect with a life of purpose and peace, this retreat will guide you toward the limitless potential of the awakened heart.

📅 **When:** 2nd September – 8th September

📍 **Where:** ThosamlingNunnery

📩 **Register Now:** Email **[email protected]** to secure your spot!

*Spaces are limited to ensure a quiet, personal, and supportive environment. Reserve your place today!*

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09/08/2026

Finding Stillness Amidst the Mountains 🏔️✨

Sometimes, the only way to find yourself is to completely unplug from the world and step into the quiet.

Nestled in the serene foothills of the Dhauladhar Himalayas, Thosamling Nunnery offers a profound space to pause, breathe, and quiet the noise of daily life. Away from notifications and deadlines, the mind finally has the room to settle.

Through the gentle practice of Shamatha (calm abiding) meditation, turning inward becomes less of a search and more of a homecoming. When the mental chatter fades, you realize that clarity isn't something you have to chase—it’s what remains when the dust settles.

If you've been feeling scattered or overwhelmed, let this be your reminder to give yourself the gift of stillness.

❤️ 🌲

03/08/2026

We are happy to announce our upcoming retreat! 🌸✨

Step into an extraordinary, life-changing journey of mental mastery with our **6-Week Shamatha (Calm Abiding) Retreat**, led by **Geshe Ngawang Thekchok**.

Shamatha is the art of training the mind to remain effortlessly focused, clear, and serene. While short retreats introduce the basics, a extended 6-week immersion allows you to systematically progress through the classical stages of meditation, transforming subtle mental dullness and agitation into deep, unshakable peace.

🌟 Taught by Geshe Ngawang Thekchok

We are deeply honored to have **Geshe Ngawang Thekchok**, Thosamling’s resident teacher since 2019, guide this retreat. Born in Tibet, Geshela journeyed to India to pursue the highest level of monastic education, earning the prestigious **Geshe Lharampa** degree (the highest doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy) after decades of rigorous study under legendary masters. Known for his profound scholarship, humble warmth, and gentle humor, Geshela excels at breaking down complex philosophy into practical, heart-centered practice.

# # # 🗺️ A Step-by-Step 6-Week Curriculum

* **Week I: The Foundation** — Setting up the physical and environmental conditions, body alignment, and choosing your object of focus.
* **Week II: Overcoming Obstacles** — Identifying the *Five Obstacles* in meditation and applying the *Eight Antidotes* to dissolve them.
* **Week III: Mindfulness & Vigilance** — Developing mental stability while learning to navigate subtle forms of dullness and agitation.
* **Week IV: The Path** — Mapping the progressive *Nine Stages of Mental Stabilization*.
* **Week V: Deepening Stability** — Cultivating the *Four Types of Attention* and the *Six Powers* to refine concentration.
* **Week VI: Integration & Independence** — Transitioning into a confident personal practice, with reflection and foundational Dharma insights.
📅 **When:** 1st October – 12th November
📍 **Where:** ThosamlingNunnery
📩 **Register Now:** Email **[email protected]** for details and for registration!

01/08/2026

✨ The Meaning Behind Thosamling ✨
Did you know the name Thosamling was gifted to our nunnery and institute during a deeply special meeting in the fall of 2000 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our coordinator, Ani Tenzin Sangmo, among others?
Thosamling translates to the "Place of Hearing, Study and Reflection of the Buddha's teachings." For over two decades, this sacred vision has guided our community as a peaceful sanctuary for learning, contemplation, and spiritual growth. 🙏💛
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31/07/2026

30/07/2026

We are happy to announce our upcoming retreat! 🌸

Ready to quiet the noise, settle your mind, and cultivate deep inner resilience?

Join us for an immersive **7-Day Shamatha (Calm Abiding) Retreat**, designed to guide you step-by-step in mastering the foundational art of mindfulness meditation.

In a world full of unpredictable stress, we cannot always control what happens around us—but through Shamatha practice, we can choose how we respond. This retreat offers a safe, supportive space to learn how to break free from reactive patterns, reduce anxiety, and cultivate lasting calm, contentment, and joy.

✨ What Makes This Retreat Special?

* 🧘 **Guided by Venerable Aileen Barry (Thubten Chotso):** A Western Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition with over 20 years of monastic experience. Having served alongside teachers like Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Venerable Robina Courtin, and trained under masters like Mingyur Rinpoche and Alan Wallace, she brings a warm, deeply accessible approach to traditional teachings.
* 🌿 **Practical Tools for Real Life:** Learn to focus your attention, navigate mental distractions, and combine *Shamatha* (calm abiding) with *Vipassana* (insight) so you can maintain peace even when life gets chaotic.
* 🚶 **Balanced Daily Practice:** Sessions blend guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindfulness of breathing and body sensations, and interactive guidance to ensure a restorative experience suitable for **all experience levels**.

📅 **When:** 19th August – 25th August

📍 **Where:** Thosamling

📩 **Register Now:** Email **[email protected]** to secure your spot!

*Give yourself the gift of a focused, tranquil mind. Spaces are limited—reach out today to reserve your place!*

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25/07/2026

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24/07/2026

Pausing the Noise: A Quiet Chapter at Thosamling
Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is simply stop.
Stepping away from the demands of the outer world and settling into the peaceful embrace of Thosamling has been a vital reminder of the power of stillness. In the quiet spaces between meditation sessions, under the canopy of rustling leaves and gentle rain, the mind finally gets the room it needs to settle.
Recharging the spirit isn't a luxury—it’s an essential return home to oneself.