Prana Del Mar 2023 will answer these core questions: if the nature of mind is indeed natural, how did we lose it? Where did we go astray? And what do we need to do (and stop doing) to find it? 
 
In addition to stabilizing the main points and practices from last year (which will be summarized for new participants), this program will focus on describing, and then experiencing, the irreducible mind: the union of luminosity and emptiness. What, exactly, is emptiness ­­­­– the heart of Buddhism? Why is it so important? How can I experience it? How does it relate to death?   
 
Emptiness is inseparable from luminosity. What is this light of the mind? How does it relate to the clear-light mind? And how do I experience that? We’ll explore the role of luminosity in the creation of manifest reality, and how too much luminosity generates samsara. The world is made of frozen light – what does that really mean, and how I can work with this light? How does luminosity relate to birth?
 
Emptiness is related to wisdom, the feminine principle, and the path of freedom; luminosity is related to compassion, the masculine principle, and the path of fullness. How to we practice both paths simultaneously? Where does the archetype of intercourse and sexuality fit in?
 
We’ll enhance our understanding and experience of the power of self-inquiry, and analytic meditation, to lead us to these truths. The path of devotion, and the universal power of love, will be explored – and practiced. We’ll engage in breath work to “force” space/emptiness into the body-mind, and add more instantaneous methods for cutting through confusion.  

Some Topics We Will Explore: 

• The divine play of the cosmos
• The relationship of emptiness to ecology and dependent origination
• Sutra and tantra approaches to luminosity and emptiness
• The origin of samsara from the tantric perspective
• The relationship of luminosity and emptiness to light and space
• Contemplations on the nature of mind
• Thought experiments and dream experiments
• Meditations that reveal nonduality
• The deconstruction of samsara
• Contraction and expansion as the combustion cycle of the path
• The relationship of light to matter and appearances
• Patriarchy as the archetype of samsara
• Fear of truth, and how to work with it
• Shadow work and re-owning the primordial projection
• Our love-hate relationship to the Beloved
• The “equation of reality” and how to solve it
• How to use dreams to study luminosity and emptiness
• How “wind” creates samsara, and can be harnessed to reveal nirvana

The retreat will include nature of mind meditations, Mahamudra investigations, and other nondual practices, as well as optional yoga. In addition to a progression of advanced practices held indoors, we will do extensive “aimless wandering” along the magnificent surf and beach, inviting the symbolic guru of the phenomenal world to teach us.

Using the tenets of the ancient Kalachakra Tantra, conjoined with modern Deep Ecology and Ecopsychology, we will use the principles of “nature dharma” (ri-chö inTibetan) to teach us. We’ll engage nature to invoke the recognition of the natural state within.

Mixing mind with space-awareness is a central narrative of this program and will be explored with Dzogchen sky gazing and star gazing practice (on a roof top far removed from any light pollution). The Great Outdoors will open the sense gates to the Great Indoors, until we discover the ultimate nonduality of inner and outer.

COVID Information – Presently there are no COVID restrictions at the Prana del Mar facility. Prana del Mar always has strong safety protocols in place to support the health, well-being, and comfort of all retreat guests. You will need to follow COVID travel guidelines in airports and on flights and ground transportation. Currently a negative COVID test is required to board the flight home to the US. The Prana staff will coordinate this test for you. Cost at the time of the test is approximately $50.