Silent Dzogchen Practice Retreat & 2025 Fall Retreat: Being Present to the Moment of Death

Join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche at Serenity Ridge for both a silent retreat and the annual Fall Retreat/Dialogues, “Being Present to the Moment of Death” from September 30, 2025 to October 12, 2025. Two nights stay at no charge when registering for both events together.

Silent Dzogchen Practice Retreat: September 30–October 5, 2025

Silence is a powerful tool. Sitting in stillness and resting in silence, the mind can grow more calm and our awareness more luminous. Silence helps us to open the heart and let go of the stresses of daily life. It is a powerful tool for personal transformation and expanded awareness. 

Come join Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche for his first silent retreat in many years! He will support us in finding a deep connection to our inner stillness, silence and spaciousness.  Once per day Rinpoche will provide instruction and there will be opportunities to ask questions about practice, and there will be time for connecting with other retreatants on the last day. The rest of our time in and out of the meditation hall will be spent in noble silence. 

We offer free lodging on Sunday and Monday nights, between the end of the silent retreat and the start of the Serenity Ridge Dialogues as well as breakfast on those days at no charge. 

Schedule

Coming Soon

The 2025 Fall Retreat & Serenity Ridge Dialogues with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche & Special Guests: October 7–12, 2025

Walking Each Other Home

Wisdom, Faith, and Science on the Journey of Dying

How can spiritual practice guide us through the dying process, both as caregivers and as companions?

This October, Serenity Ridge welcomes spiritual teachers and healthcare practitioners from Buddhist and Christian traditions for a five-day retreat exploring the mystery of death and dying. Together, we’ll share practices, insights, and wisdom to support the journey of consciousness beyond death.

What You’ll Experience

• Morning teachings and practice with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche on powa—the transference of consciousness at the time of death.
• Dialogues with international experts on end-of-life spiritual care, advanced meditation after death (tukdam), and the rainbow body—the dissolution of the physical body at death.
• Practical tools and practices to help you navigate the dying process with clarity, awareness, and peace.

Who Should Attend

This retreat is open to everyone, whether you’re preparing for your own transition, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the death and dying process.

An Opportunity to Deepen Your Journey

These will be Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s final teachings of 2025. For a deeper journey, consider pairing this retreat with the 5-day silent Dzogchen meditation retreat immediately preceding it—an ideal preparation for heart and mind.

Schedule (New York Time)

Tuesday, October 7
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Onsite registration/Check-in
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner
6:45 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. Break
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Rinpoche Welcome/Talk

Wednesday, October 8
8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.: Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teachings by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Guided Practice
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Dialogue
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Break
5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Guided Practice with Dialogue Presenters
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner

Thursday–Saturday, October 9-11
7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice
8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.: Breakfast
8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Teachings by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Guided Practice
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Dialogue
4:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Break
5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Guided Practice with Dialogue Presenters
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner

Sunday, October 12
7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice
8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.: Breakfast
8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Concluding Teachings by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
10:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Capstone Conversations with Dialogue Presenters
12:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch