Bardo Songs: Music and Illumination on the Tibetan Book of the Dead

5.005 reviews
Location icon
3265 Santa Maria Road, Topanga, CA, USA
Users icon
Up to 30 in group
Date
Mar 7, 2026

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

A unique opportunity to be a part of a rare experience: participants will be guided into a meditative journey through a special intimate concert inspired by the teachings of the Tibetan Book of the Dead: Liberation Upon Hearing in the Between. This quintessential text, attributed to the 8th century Buddhist Vajra master Padmasambhava provides insight and direct instructions on how to navigate through the stages of the Bardo - the intermediary state between life and death. According to the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, the Bardo journey offers a precious opportunity for practitioners to awaken to their own true Buddha nature and be liberated from all suffering.
Internationally acclaimed Tibetan singer/songwriter Tenzin Choegyal will be joined by award-winning composer Simone Giuliani on piano and master artist Tsering Dorjee Bawa, who will be performing the very rare Black Hat ritual dance. Narration by Christiana Polites. With guests Will Graefe on guitars and Gabe Noel on Upright Bass.

Getting Here

Location icon Pure Land Farms, 3265 Santa Maria Road, Topanga, CA, USA

Accommodation

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Amazing!!
This is the second time I've been here, and it's absolutely stunning. Everything about it is perfect - close enough for easy access, far and secluded enough to be able to relax in this superfast city of ours. I have felt unbelievably welcome and comfortable both times. The experience with Micah Sheiner is always transcending. Thank you!!

5.0
Verified logo
Our first time at Pure Land Farms
My partner and I enjoyed our first time at Pure Land Farms. We took a class there and learned so much. The class was paced well with movement and differently learning modalities. The instructors were so informative and open to questions as well as very calming. Our cohort of students were kind, sensitive and each on a personal mission of self discovery. We signed up for the January class and mu partner is going to schedule a 1 on 1 with one of the practitioners there for an assessment abd treatment. We both can see ourselves becoming regular attendees here.

5.0
Verified logo
Grounded, Welcoming, and Well-Held
I spent an afternoon at Pure Land Farms in a Tibetan self-healing session and found the experience calm, grounded, and genuinely welcoming. The land itself makes it easy to slow down and arrive.

The instructors, Dr. Bryan Watrous and Julia Mariko Shannon, were relaxed, highly knowledgeable, and created a safe container for people of many different backgrounds and levels of experience. The guidance felt steady and spacious rather than rigid or prescriptive.

I left feeling settled and clear. I shared a longer reflection on the experience here:

https://journeythroughmeditation.com/blog-meditation/2025/12/15/pure-land-farms-an-afternoon-of-tibetan-self-healing

5.0
Verified logo
Foundations of Vajrana Buddhism & External Therapies
I cannot say enough how much Pure Land Farms is a place of deeply profound meaning for me. To study with Dr. Nida and all the teachers who offer their wisdom and knowledge is an experience that is enriching and inspiring.
Dr Nida is the most incredible vibrant joyful and brilliant teacher. He is a multidimensional teacher of innate intelligence brilliance humor & compassion - he distills the essence of complex ancient teachings in the clearest & most practical way. I basically want to take any classes he is teaching and I hope to be able to take the foundational Sowa Rigpa training next year. All the teachers I have experienced in person or CHRISTIANA, Liz and Drukhmo , Dr. Brian , Bair, and the visiting lamas have enhanced so many aspects of my life with their presence, teachings & offerings.
All the Sangha people I come into contact with there are wonderful humans doing sincere & incredible work in the world and I feel that wherever Dr. Nida goes and wherever CHRISTIANA is they create such a container for magic and goodness and Gardens of bounty .
I highly highly recommend Pure Land Farms and feel very blessed to live locally - so thankful to be a part of this incredible sangha.

5.0
Verified logo
A healing site of deep transformation
At least twice a year since 2022 I have gone to PURELAND FARMS in Topanga seeking refuge from the storms of life. Like a hidden hamlet of rejuvenation nestled in golden Southern California hills, you can find a quiet place and just be or you can engage with other retreatants whose journey's will inspire you to new heights. The yurts, the food, the spirits of the land and the courteous and knowledgeable staff all combine in a frictionless way making for not just a get away but an experience - a heart centered feeling of returning home. Whenever Dr. Nida is there you can definitely count on an epic time!! Personal retreats are also available too, and having done that twice, I can say it is truly sublime.

Similar retreats