​

When you have understood well the essential points

of each of the 3 principal paths explained, 

seek solitude, my child, make mighty perseverance 

and quickly win your ultimate goal! 

- Lama Tsongkhapa

​

INVITATION

​​

In the midst of the stormy waves of the world, what is calling you? What moves your heart and mind most? Dakini’s Whisper wholeheartedly invites you to join fellow pilgrims on a self-paced, personal virtual pilgrimage through the topography of the path to awakening.

 

A great journey begins with having a map of the route!

​

Lamrim, the topography of the awakening path, is the foundation of Buddhism, the map of the entire Buddha’s teaching, and is especially essential for Cho and advanced Tantric practitioners. By participating in this potent journey, we deeply aspire to follow in the footsteps of our great masters who devoted their lives to dharma practice, the source of happiness. This journey is an excellent opportunity for beginning students as well as long-term Tantric Practitioners to devote some of our busy lives to study, contemplation and meditation on these essentials. Together we will create virtuous propensities, individually and collectively, towards genuine happiness and the awakening of all beings!

​

THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY is multidimensional and immensely rich in both traditional and contemporary applications. Your spiritual and human journey will come alive through this well-structured, integrated pilgrimage that includes a compilation of Khandro-la’s foundations teachings, guided meditations,and body-oriented, integrative practices. Each module is intended to serve as a pointer and thought-provoking guide for your own intimate, personal immersion into the experience and realization of Lam Rim (Stages of the Path). 

​

Pilgrims on this Journey will have:

• An embodied experience of Lamrim, the graduated stages of the path to awakening.

• A solid foundational support for further tantric and advanced practice.

• A genuine experiential understanding of Buddha Dharma.

• A Dharma habit of meaningful daily practice in the contemporary world.

• An enriched spiritual journey that is grounded in the body and heart in order to become an immense and benevolent ambassador in the complex world of suffering.

• A deepening experience of becoming the best vessel for the Highest Yoga Tantric Empowerment.

​​

ABOUT THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY PROGRAM

 

Intentional

Self-Paced

Semi-Structured

Supported

Integrative and Experiential

​

THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY consists of 12 modular, self-paced, online classes to guide you through study, contemplation and meditation on the basics or essentials of Buddhist teachings, fundamentals to Tantra, Shamatha-Vipashyana Mahamdura, and an introduction to Tantra and Cho (Chod) teaching and practice. This integrative program introduces a variety of key Buddhist and Vajrayana teachings and practices systematically. It aims to support and guide the modern-day practitioner on an authentic path while being mindful of the householder’s life. 

 

THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY is designed for those who are interested in exploring, deepening, and integrating their Dharma practice while balancing the demands of everyday life, or while engaging in practices from other lineages or traditions. The online community environment supports this process, eliminating the need to travel to participate in the program. The modular, self-paced model is well supported and augmented by other DW offerings that together provide the flexibility and accessibility for students to stay on the journey.

​

The curriculum is sequential, with the material presented in each module building on the previous modules. The general order of the modular classes follows the classical presentation of the entire Buddha’s teachings, the Gradual Stages of the Path to Awakening (Lam Rim) and Choying Khandro’s Book - The Heart of Cho: Volume One - Foundations of Cho. Furthermore, this JOURNEY is enriched by additional key wholistic elements (i.e. “The Subtle Body Practice” and “Emotional Balance and Inquiries”) for modern-day practitioners.

​

Each person will enter THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY from their own place and space, intention and motivation. It can be completed within six months to one-year period, depending on individual circumstances. During the JOURNEY or upon its completion, students may choose to continue their studies with Dakini’s Whisper, receive tantric empowerment of Naro Dakini Vajrayogini, a treasured highest yoga tantric yidam, and train in Tantra and/or the advanced multi-year programs offered through Dakini’s Whisper.

​

Here are some inspiring DW Monthly Journals featuring the Stages of the Path:

• Stages of the Path and Our Journey, Part 1: in conjunction with “Songs of Spiritual Experience” by Lama Tsongkhapa

• “Songs of Spiritual Experience,” Part 2: Importance of Study, Contemplation, and Meditation of Lamrim for Tantric Practitioners

• Graduated Stages of the Path, A Supported Personal Retreat, A One-month Deep Dive Immersion

​

WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS PROGRAM?

 

THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY was created with the contemporary practitioner or spiritual warrior in mind. Do you see yourself in any of the descriptions below? If so, please join this path dedicated to your spiritual unfoldment. 

 

• Anyone interested in exploring their human potential regardless of their experience in Buddhist practices or other spiritual paths.

 

• Spiritual practitioners who are interested in exploring authentic Buddhist teachings without having to travel or commit to fixed class times. 

 

• Vajrayana and Chö Practitioners who want to strengthen their practice by re-establishing the basis of sutra teachings, but do not necessarily want to commit to other Journeys that DW offers.

 

• Long-term spiritual practitioners who wish to deepen and integrate their experience of the essentials of Buddha Dharma in everyday language and life, and to flourish in their emotional and spiritual maturity.

 

• Any Dakini’s Whisper students who would like to establish the fundamentals to Tantra or Vajrayana before they commit themselves to the multi-year program or engage in tantric lineage practices.

​

PREREQUISITE AND REQUIREMENTS

​

ALL ARE WELCOME!​ This Journey is open to all practitioners regardless of the level of practice, or background, who have a heart longing to deepen their spiritual practice. 

​

There are no prerequisites for entering the JOURNEY. However, a basic understanding of the Buddha Dharma is encouraged. If you are quite new to Dharma teaching, don’t worry. You will learn it through this journey. Also, Refuge and Bodhicitta vows are strongly recommended but not required. Participants will have an opportunity to receive these vows during the journey.

​

Pilgrims are invited to make the following commitments: 

• To complete each monthly module and wholeheartedly embrace the possibilities this Journey will offer to your Dharma practice.

• To the best of your ability, attend and participate in monthly student-hosted Journey gatherings and retreats led by Khandro-la. 

• To participate in other DW classes and retreats, and to maintain daily individual practice to the best of your ability.

• Journal or write an essay that describes one’s experiences through this JOURNEY to be shared and submitted by the end of the JOURNEY (3 pages)

​​

COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM

 

The 12 modules for THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY will be presented on DW’s eLearning platform. Each module covers specific teachings and practices sequentially and in general requires 15 days to one month to complete. One or Two new modules will be sent to your inbox at the beginning of each month. If you are not able to complete a module during the designated month, don’t worry. You can access these modules at any time as long as you have the internet, so you can continue to work on that module in the following months. 

 

Other key features include​

• ESSENTIAL JOURNEY RETREAT with Khandro-la at the end of the journey. The retreat will include:

  • Teaching on the Lamrim, guided meditation, and transmissions of specific practices by Khandro-la.

  • Sharing of pilgrims’ creative expressions. 

  • Dialogue with Khandro-la.

 

Encouraged Optional Benefits

• Interview with Khandro-la (i.e. to set your daily practice schedule)

• Ask questions at ASK KHANDRO-LA on the Dakini’s Corner Blog

• Access to Essential Journey member-level privileged eLearning 

​

MODULE OVERVIEW IN THE ESSENTIAL JOURNEY

 

MODULE ONE: WHY THE MAP TO AWAKENING? 

Overview of Graduated Stages of the Awakening Path (Lamrim) 

Group Gathering

 

MODULE TWO: JUMP OFF THE CLIFF! 

Determination to Be Free (Renunciation)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE THREE: TAKE A SAFE SHELTER!

Taking the Safe Direction (Refuge)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE FOUR: LET YOUR HEART BURST OPEN TO ALL!

Awakening Mind (Bodhicitta)

Retreat with Khandro-la

 

MODULE FIVE: INCREASE MATERIAL CAUSES FOR AWAKENING!

Treasury of Positive Potentials (Karma and Merit)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE SIX: CUT THROUGH THE ROOT OF SELF-GRASPING!

Wisdom of the Ultimate Reality (Emptiness)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE SEVEN: LOOKING AND RESTING

Union of Calm-Abiding and Special Insight and Presence (Mahamudra) 

Group Gathering

 

MODULE EIGHT: SURRENDER TO YOUR TRUE NATURE

Uniting Your Mind with Awakened Mind (Guru Yoga)

Retreat with Khandro-la

 

MODULE NINE: ENTER THE QUICK PROFUND PATH

How Tantra Works (Tantra Basics)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE TEN: LIVE WITH VOWS

The Lifeblood of Tantra (Vows and Samaya)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE ELEVEN: DIE WITH TANTRA

Living with Impermanence with Tantra (Clear Light Mind)

Group Gathering

 

MODULE TWELVE: INTEGRATE EVERYTHING ON THE PATH

RETREAT ON THE CUSHION AND OFF THE CUSHION

The Subtle Body and Practice 

Emotional Balance and Inquiries

Retreat with Khandro-la

 

RESOURCES

 

To provide support and enhance your daily personal experience, the following Lamrim resources are recommended.

 

• Heart of Chö, Volume One by Choying Khandro

• Introduction to Tantra by Lama Yeshe

• Lam Rim Outline

• Songs of Spiritual Experience

• Lam Rim Dedication

• Supplementary Practices (See the DW Media Store)

• DW eLearning Modules, which you will have free access to -

• Master Course 1: Foundations

• Master Course 5: Topography of the Path

• Master Course 7: Song of Spiritual Realization

​

REGISTRATION

​

Enroll anytime and journey at your own pace with ample support and structure over the next 6–12 months! Access to the modules will be ongoing, and students are strongly encouraged to follow the pilgrimage to completion within the designated time frame. 

See below for information on how to register.

​

If you are a current Emerald or higher-Level Member:

• No additional fee is required. Simply complete the Essential Journey Registration Form below. 

​If you are a current Basic Supporting Member:

• Cancel your current PayPal recurring payment and upgrade to the Emerald Member here by setting up your recurring PayPal payment accordingly.

• Complete the Essential Journey Registration Form below.

If you are not a Dakini’s Whisper Member:​

• Complete the Membership Form here first to join DW as either an Essential or higher-level Member.

• Set up your recurring PayPal payment accordingly.

• Complete the Essential Journey Registration Form below.

​

If you have any questions regarding logistics, please contact Ellen at dakiniswhisperteam@gmail.com. For inquiries about monthly gatherings, please contact Peter at peterapoole@gmail.com.