Walking the Path
About the Program
Walking the Path is a two-year program that offers a systematic and interactive approach to the way we practice meditation. This program is ideal for students who already have some experience with meditation but are looking for a program that will help them go deeper in their practice within the context of the Buddhist path of liberation. The Walking the Path program is held online, with four brief retreats offered over two years. The two retreats held in the program’s first year can be attended online or in person, while the two retreats held in the program’s second year must be attended in person.
Students who want to participate in the full two-year Walking the Path program should attend the first retreat, Walking the Path: which will be held online and in-person.
During this first retreat of the program, participants will receive:
- Detailed Calm Abiding meditation instructions.
- Practical techniques to cultivate greater presence, focus, and mental stability.
- Guidance on Clearing the Stale Winds and meditation preparation.
- An overview of various types of Buddhist meditation.
Program Overview
Over the course of two years, Walking the Path students will attend four weekend retreats where they will receive detailed meditation instructions from Namchak Khen Rinpoche to clarify the techniques, practice together, and after each retreat, leave with meditation homework.
Students will receive a schedule of practices that build upon one another leading up to the next retreat. During the six months between retreats, students will have monthly opportunities to check in on their progress with Khen Rinpoche and his translator Justin Kirkwood, as they follow the daily practice schedule. There are also recommended readings to accompany the practices and opportunities to meet with others in the program to discuss their meditation practice.
The Walking the Path program is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your practice, engage with a close group of meditation practitioners (sangha), attend regular dharma teachings, and embark on the path of liberation.
Students register for each year of the program separately. We accept new applicants for the program on a rolling basis, but new programs will only begin each spring.
If you have attended the first retreat of the program, our Walking the Path: The Way to Develop Calm Abiding Retreat, please email emily@namchak.org for further assistance with registering for the first year of the Walking the Path two-year program.
What You Will Learn in Walking the Path
Year One
During year one of the program, participants will study and practice Calm Abiding (Shamata), which serves as the foundation for all other practices. This technique develops our power of attention and brings our coarse and subtle thoughts to a restful state. Calm Abiding is the most important foundational meditation practice, as it will stabilize and empower any further practices you may do in the future.
Khen Rinpoche’s Walking the Path teachings and practices are based on Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s book, The Way to Develop Calm Abiding and Profound Insight. A digital copy of the book will be provided to all participants, and physical copies are available for purchase at https://namchakpublishing.com/collections/books/products/shamata
Year Two
Calm Abiding alone cannot eliminate our afflictive mental and emotional states or give us insight into the nature of reality; thus, in year two of the program, we will move into profound insight (Vipassana) meditation. When we practice Profound Insight meditation, we gain insight into the nature of the ultimate truth. It is the combination of Calm Abiding and Profound Insight practices that helps students gain a deeper understanding of reality.
Who is This Program For?
This program is recommended for those who have some experience in meditation, who are ready to focus on the Buddhist path, and particularly for those who are seeking a guided, systematic path and a connection to a teacher. Most of this program is conducted individually at home, supported by four required retreats. Students may attend year one retreats of this program online, while in-person attendance is mandatory for year two retreats, where students take refuge vows.
If, after the first year of Calm Abiding practice, participants wish to continue on to year two, which covers Profound Insight (Vipassana), they must come to the retreat in person to take refuge vows (the ceremony of formally becoming a Buddhist). If you are uncertain if you are ready for or interested in taking refuge vows, you may join for the first year of calm abiding practice and decide later.
Walking the Path Retreat Dates
The retreat dates are outlined below. If you cannot attend a teaching, you can attend the following year’s teaching with the next cohort. Retreats are held in the Spring and Fall of each year.
Fall Retreats
Year One Participants: October 17, 18, 19 + Silent Retreat 20 & 21: Shamata | Location: Namchak Retreat Ranch–Bodhi House and Online
Year Two Participants: October 24, 25, 26 + Silent Retreat 27 & 28: Vipassana | Location: Namchak Retreat Ranch–Bodhi House
What People Are Saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for the full program now?
It is highly encouraged that you register for year one of the program so you are able to consult with Namchak Khen Rinpoche regarding your meditation practice and ask any questions you have regarding the teachings. However, you can enroll in the individual retreat first and decide afterward if the program is right for you. If you have any questions or want to talk to someone about joining the program, please contact emily@namchak.org.
Do I need to be a Buddhist to practice these meditations?
No, participants do not need to be Buddhist to join. However, if after the first year of Calm Abiding practice, participants wish to continue on to year two which covers Profound Insight (Vipassana), they must come to the retreat in-person to take refuge vows (the ceremony of formally becoming a Buddhist) If you are uncertain if you are ready for or interested in taking refuge vows, you may join for the first year of calm abiding practice and decide later.
What if I have to miss a retreat that is part of the Walking the Path program?
If you cannot attend one of the retreats within the program year, you can join the next cohort to receive the teachings. Due to the nature of the material, receiving instructions directly from a teacher is a necessary step. We will offer video access of the retreats only to students who attended the retreat.
What is the the difference between the Ancient Wisdom Engaged Program and Walking the Path?
The Walking the Path program is intended for students who want to deepen their meditation practice, specifically Shamata and Vipassana, over the course of two years with Namchak Khen Rinpoche. Students enrolled in this program will be expected to maintain a daily practice, attend four retreats throughout the two years, and work closely with Khen Rinpoche.
The Ancient Wisdom Engaged (AWE) program is intended for students interested in pursuing a Buddhist path, including learning the Ngöndro or Preliminary Practices on the Vajrayana path. This program also integrates practices of personal leadership and sangha skills. Students are expected to maintain a daily practice, attend Ngöndro retreats and teachings, and participate in 10 days of personal retreat per year. They are also expected to participate in monthly cohort calls, attend individual sessions with the AWE teachers, and meet regularly with their Learning Circles.
Items to Note
This is a program that includes Shamata and Vipassana over the course of two years but we will only go into Shamata in the first year.
Meet Your Instructors!
Namchak Khen Rinpoche
Khen Rinpoche is one of the younger brothers of Tulku Sangak Rinpoche. They are descendants of the Great Treasure Revealer Tsasum Lingpa, since nearly three centuries ago and became known as the Namchak family. The Namchak family originates from the Sum (pronounced “soom”) family of the Tong clan, one of the six original clans of the Tibetan people. After entering the Namdroling Monastery Shedra of HH Penor Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche completed the study of all the Indian Buddhist philosophical traditions and the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism under numerous great teachers. He also completed the nine years of rigorous training and served at the Namdroling monastery for several years.
Enthroned as Khenpo by HH Penor Rinpoche, he taught at the Shedras of Ringo Tulku and Shechen Monastery for many years, as instructed. Khen Rinpoche strictly abides by his precepts in everyday life and is diligent in his practice. As it was necessary to assist Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, Khen Rinpoche was sent forth from Namdroling by HH Penor Rinpoche. He taught at the Nunnery and Purbaling retreat centers in Nepal, beginning from the Preliminary Practices through the stages of generation and completion, and then to Tsalung. Besides representing Tulku Sangak Rinpoche as his spiritual heir, he visits and teaches a variety of places around the world, including the Namchak Foundation and the Namchak Retreat Ranch, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other locations. While in the U.S., he resides and meditates at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee, Montana. Khen Rinpoche teaches a variety of retreats and programs including Shamata, Vipassana, The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind, and Walking the Path. He is revered by his students as a teacher who thoroughly answers questions and infuses profound wisdom with humor and levity.
Justin Kirkwood
Justin Kirkwood is a Buddhist teacher and Tibetan translator at the Namchak Foundation. His many years in India of traditional monastic training, personal practice, and experience as a translator make him uniquely qualified to share these teachings in a way that is grounded in the Buddhist tradition while meeting students where they are with their unique spiritual interests and goals.
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