Poison into Medicine: The Radical View of the Vajrayana (Online Course)

Live online, Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm ET

No class on November 25

The Vajrayana is a complete path of practice that includes everything in our lives. There is no breakup too messy, no boss too challenging, no financial stress too intense, to be irrelevant in the Vajrayana. Often called the “diamond vehicle,” the Vajrayana is among the most profound and distinctive paths in all of Buddhist tradition.

For new Vajrayana practitioners, or for those curious about the path, the details can seem overwhelming without a map. Even as practitioners who have engaged with Vajrayana practices for years, we may still sometimes find ourselves wondering: Why is this path structured the way it is? What is the logic beneath the practices? How does this actually work? What does it really mean to practice in this way?

This eight-week course is an invitation to step back and see the Vajrayana path as a whole — not as a survey of history or doctrine, but as a living orientation to experience.

The course draws on both the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, as well as the earth- and body-based teachings of Natural Dharma Fellowship. It weaves together classical teachings with the insights of contemporary Western teachers.

Please join us to:

• See the Vajrayana path as an integrated whole
• Understand the logic that underlies its practices
• Explore how all of life becomes part of the path
• Learn through reflection, discussion, and experiential exercises
• Deepen relationships within NDF’s Vajra Sangha

The course is intended both for current Vajrayana practitioners at any stage of the path—from the Four Thoughts through Sadhana practice—and for those who are not yet practicing the Vajrayana, but wish to deepen their understanding of this profound path.

The course is designed to be genuinely helpful to all: thought-provoking for newcomers curious about the path, and offering fresh perspectives for experienced practitioners who have been living within these teachings for years.

Each session pairs teaching with practical reflection, experiential exercises, and group exploration of the challenges and misunderstandings that can arise for Western practitioners. Because these discussions are an integral part of the course, participants are expected to engage actively through the assigned readings, personal reflection, and discussion with fellow participants. 

Active participation is an essential aspect of learning in the course. Live attendance is highly advised and participating through recording is discouraged (except for occasional missed sessions). However, recordings will be available for those who are unable to attend on Wednesday evenings.

The NDF Vajrayana Program strongly recommends that all current practitioners—and those considering joining the program in the future—participate actively in this course. For both current practitioners and prospective students, this course also offers a meaningful opportunity to deepen relationships within NDF’s Vajrayana community and to become more fully engaged in a shared culture of study, inquiry, and practice.

Required Reading

For experienced practitioners: Secret of the Vajra World, by Reginald Ray
For newcomers to Vajrayana: Introduction to Tantra, by Lama Thubten Yeshe

Participants may refer to both books during the course.

Zoom Link

The Zoom link will be sent several days before the course begins to all those registered by then. If you register after that date, you’ll receive the link with your confirmation email shortly after submitting your registration. The same Zoom link will be used each week. If you don’t see an email from Natural Dharma Registrar or Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, it may have mistakenly gone to your spam folder or to Promotions or Updates in Gmail.

Important: Please put these this email address in your Contact or Safe-Send list to make sure you receive our emails:

• register@naturaldharma.org

Program Cost

Our program fees provide essential support to our non-profit operations and NDF’s mission to spread the Dharma in accessible, relevant, and creative ways. Our goal is that no one misses out on our events due to lack of funds. Thanks to our generous donors, we are able to offer tiered pricing and additional support to fit varied financial situations: 

• May All Beings Benefit! *– supporting access for all and general support for NDF operations
• A Middle Way – covering the base cost
• Held in Sangha Loving-kindness – offering ease when financial resources are limiting

If the lowest cost tier creates an obstacle to your attendance, please see our financial support options on the registration page. The process is simple and does not require extensive information. Financial aid is immediately approved using discount code options that allow you to contribute the most you are able while honoring your particular resources.

* The difference between the May All Beings Benefit! tier and the Middle Way tier will be considered a tax-deductible donation and will be acknowledged as such in writing. Contributing at this level helps us offer financial aid to other participants. Thank you!!

Access to Recordings

NDF offers unlimited access to recordings, which are available in your user dashboard (more information about user accounts provided in a pre-retreat letter). If you have a user account, please register with the same email you use to log into your dashboard. If not, an account will be created for you using your registration address.

Availability will vary depending on the type of event and the backlog for our precious resource volunteers. Thank you for your patience.

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