Ancient Wisdom Engaged
Introduction to
Vajrayana Practice, Personal Leadership, and
Healthy Community
Modern life is a tide of input, drawing us deeper into this collective dream we call “Samsara”—an increasingly distracted life. Yet neuroscientist Richard Davidson says: “A distracted mind is an unhappy mind.”
The practices of the Namchak lineage, along with The Academy for the Love of Learning’s “Learning as a Practice” help us to wake up from our dream.
We then can live a more happy, meaningful life—the life that we came here to live.
Namchak launched the Ancient Wisdom Engaged (AWE) program as a way of helping people learn tangible practices for “waking up.” This multi-year, non-residential study program offers students an introduction to the Vajrayana path of Tibetan Buddhism and to a unique form of personal leadership.
Designed around the Three Jewels of Tibetan Buddhism, the AWE program will give you experiences and tools so you can progress on your journey home to who you truly are.
The Three Jewels—Buddha (the practices), Dharma (the context for the practices), and Sangha (the community)— are equally important in creating harmonious inner and outer lives. However, in the West, to our detriment, we have historically overlooked the importance of skillfully being in relationship with others and building healthy communities.
Together, these Three Jewels transform both the inner and outer experience of life. By taking part in this program, you will emerge with a deeper understanding of yourself along with tools you can use to engage in healthy community.
AWE Pathway
The AWE program provides an opportunity to join a small group of other committed students embarking on the Vajrayana path of Tibetan Buddhist practice, gaining tools to cultivate greater wisdom and compassion. This three-year, non-residential program will take you from foundational Buddhist practices through the Ngöndro (also known as the Preliminary Practices). The Tibetan methods woven with personal leadership skills from the Academy for the Love of Learning, aim to strengthen your practice in a supportive community—leading to greater awareness and skill in navigating life’s challenges.
Participation in the first year of the program will prepare you to potentially join the second year of the AWE class, mentor Learning Circles in your area, engage in teacher training, and possibly work or volunteer with Namchak on an ongoing basis. While there is no guarantee that completion of the first year program will provide admission to the second year program, the first-year program is highly recommended for acceptance into the second year program. Those who chose not to continue with the second year program may be offered other practice alternatives.
In the first year of the program students will:
- Study the Three Jewels of Tibetan Buddhist practice
- Learn foundational Tibetan Buddhist practices of Shamata, Tonglen, and Vipassana.
- Expand capacities for The Four Boundless Qualities: Compassion, Loving Kindness, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.
- Cultivate Engaged Awareness in ActionSM, develop personal leadership skills, and learn to authentically connect with those around us.
In the second year, you will begin the preliminary practice of the Ngöndro. Main themes of practice will include:
- Walking the Buddhist Path (Deep Dive into Shamata Vipassana— Vajrayana style)
- Contemplating the Four Thoughts
- Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows
- Year two sangha skills with Aaron Stern
Your Guides for the Program
Namchak Khen Rinpoche and Lama Tsomo of the Namchak Foundation will lead the Buddha and Dharma work, sharing time-tested practices to help bring students out of contracted states of confusion and into ever-larger experiences of their true nature and of wholeness.
Aaron Stern is the co-creator of the AWE program and founder of the Academy for the Love of Learning. Aaron and his team will lead the Sangha element, teaching ways to integrate and sustain internal experiences using the Academy’s transformative “Learning as a Practice” approach. These practices will help you stay open as your internal identity shifts, creating inner fluidity and the ability to forge new and healthy patterns in relationships.
AWE Teachers (clockwise): Tulku Sangak* Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche, Aaron Stern, and Lama Tsomo.
In the Ancient Wisdom Engaged Program you will:
Personal
Awareness * Compassion *Inquiry* Critical Thinking * Mindfulness * Empathy *Emotional Intelligence * Exploring One’s Life Purpose * Healthy Living, Self-Care & Well-Being Practices
Community
World
Global Citizenship * Ecological Awareness * Systems Thinking * Social Networking * Creative Problem-Solving * Collective Impact * Dreaming Up The New Paradigm
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
Program Elements
The Ancient Wisdom Engaged program is structured around the following program elements:
Weekend Retreats
Retreats will take place with Namchak Khen Rinpoche, Lama Tsomo, and Aaron Stern. Occasional teachings will be offered by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche. All retreats will be held on Friday night, Saturdays and Sundays and will offered via Zoom for the beginning of the course.
Mentoring Calls
Mentoring or coaching calls with the teachers are an integral part of the program. Students receive personal attention from Lama Tsomo, Khen Rinpoche, and Aaron Stern, to discuss their experience with the pracitces. Students will have an opportunity to meet with a teacher on a monthly basis.
Healthy Sangha
Personal leadership is a key aspect of this program. Leadership training and unique activities to foster self- awareness will be offered by Aaron Stern, founder of the Academy for the Love of Learning and their Leading By Being Foundation Programs.
Personal Retreat
While consistent daily practice is key to seeing the benefits of meditation so is full immersion—otherwise known as retreat. To this end, you will be asked to take a weekend of personal retreat every quarter over the course of the program. Namchak teachers will guide you in preparing and structuring your retreat.
Learning Circles
When we explore meditation in community, it becomes a richer experience. We keep coming back to the group to feel the deep connection and meaning. At Namchak we seek to provide Learning Circles with support and tools to create truly fruitful learning environments, apply spiritual insight in a group-oriented, practical way, and ultimately make the world a better place.
Daily Practice
In order to fully integrate the lessons from the program, daily practice and reflection will be essential. The expectation is a minimum of 45 minutes of daily practice. This time will build your skills and help you bring your practice into the world around you. There will be times when reading or other homework is assigned in addition to your daily meditation practice.
"All learning happens in relationship.” - Aaron Stern
Tuition
Tuition includes: access to the online learning and community portal; coursework; video, audio and written lesson; admission to all retreats; monthly group mentor sessions; and administrative support. It is our intention that no one is turned away from the program due to lack of financing. If the cost of the program remains out of reach, please reach out to [email protected] to discuss payment plans or additional options.
What’s not included in tuition: lodging, meals, and transportation for in-person events*; required books from required or optional reading list (text books).
There are three registration categories available for the year-long program:
Supported – $350/yr – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the AWE program. This reduced fee will be supplemented by the community.
Suggested – $550/yr – For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay fair value for the experience.
Sponsored – $750/yr – For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others. Your fees, in excess of the actual cost of offering the AWE program, will be used to provide scholarships to those who cannot afford the full program.
"It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action." - Marian Wright Edelman
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