375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
September 22 - 27, 2026
About this Retreat
Born in Amdo, in North Eastern Tibet Dr. Nida began his early studies Sowa Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine) at the local Tibetan Medicine hospital. Later he was awarded scholarship to enter the Lhasa Tibetan Medical University, where he completed his medical education in 1996 with practical training at the Tibetan Medicine hospitals in Lhasa and Lhoka.
Alongside his medical education, Dr. Nida trained in Vajrayana with teachers from every school of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Longchen Nyingthig of the Nyingma school from his root teacher Ani Ngawang Gyaltsen and in the Dudjom Tersar lineage from Chönyid Rinpoche and Sremo Dechen Yudron. He received complete teachings in the Yuthok Nyingthig lineage, the unique spiritual tradition of Tibetan Medicine, from his teachers Khenpo Tsultrim Gyaltsen and Khenchen Troru Tsenam, and was requested to continue the lineage by Jamyang Rinpoche of the Rebkong ngakpa/ma (non-monastic yogi and yogini) tradition.
A well-known poet in his youth, Dr. Nida later published many articles and books on Sowa Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine) and the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition both in Tibetan and English which have been translated into several languages. He has extensively researched ancient Tibetan healing methods, and has gained high acclaim in the East and West for his revival of little known traditional Tibetan external healing therapies.
Dr. Nida is the founder and director of Sowa Rigpa Institute of Tibetan Medicine (
https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/), Pure Land Farms in Los Angeles (
https://purelandfarms.com/), and Sorig Khang International (
https://www.sorig.net/) as well as co-Founder of the International Ngakmang Institute, established to preserve and maintain the Rebkong ngakpa non-monastic yogi/ini culture within modern Tibetan society.
In addition to his work as a physician, he trains students in Sowa Rigpa and the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition in over forty countries around the world.
Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of
Tibet House US and it's
Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhist texts, and writer of popular Buddhist books. He recently has been awarded the Padma Shri Award, India’s fourth highest civilian honor for achievement in enriching Indian education and literature. His most recent book is the 300 page graphic novel,
Man of Peace: the Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
Suggested Books & Audio by Robert A.F. Thurman:
Man of Peace: Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama (Book),
Infinite Life: Awakening to Bliss Within (Book),
Anger: The Seven Deadly Sins (Book),
Inner Revolution (Book),
Circling the Sacred Mountain : A Spiritual Adventure Through the Himalayas (Book),
Essential Tibetan Buddhism (Book),
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Book of Natural Liberation Through Understanding in the Between (Book)
The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism (Book),
The Central Philosophy of Tibet (Book),
The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti: A Mahayana Scripture (Book),
Life & Teachings of Tsong Khapa (Book),
Why the Dalai Lama Matters: His Act of Truth as the Solution for China, Tibet, and the World (Book) &
Liberation Upon Hearing in the Between: Living with the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Audio).
To Learn More About Robert A.F. Thurman please visit: Website |
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Details of this retreat
Join world-renowned Tibetan Medicine doctor, yogi, and Yuthok Nyingthig master Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, together with renowned scholar-practitioner and leading figure on Tibetan Buddhism in the West Robert A.F. Thurman, PhD, for a rare Dzogchen retreat.
This retreat offers an accessible yet profound path to Dzogchen, the Great Perfection teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Rooted in the Yuthok Nyingthig lineage, the program includes teachings on Trekchöd for cutting through conceptual fixation to experience the nature of awareness, and Tögal practices with sunlight and dark retreat. Dr. Nida will share oral commentary from his personal retreat which are currently available only in Tibetan.
Through daily teachings, guided meditations, contemplative dialogue, and experiential practice, Dr. Nida and Bob Thurman present Dzogchen as a living path, not dependent on intellectual mastery but on direct recognition. Bob Thurman’s framing and commentary will help contextualize the teachings historically, philosophically, and experientially, supporting newcomers while enriching the understanding of seasoned students.
This retreat is appropriate for both dedicated practitioners curious about Dzogchen and its foundations, as well as advanced practitioners seeking lineage-based clarification and deeper experience.
*The style of the upcoming teachings differs from traditional, academic presentation. What is being relayed is not simply information, but an invitation into a living wisdom tradition. At the heart of the retreat experience, is the presence of teachers, and the presence of yourself, as student. This relational emphasis, and your innate capacity to absorb, question, and clarify are your keenest assets in an unfolding, and at times, unpredictable atmosphere of learning.
THIS PAGE IS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION. TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE/VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Schedule:
Tuesday, September 22
3 - 8 pm Arrival & Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Welcome and Introductory Teaching
Wednesday, September 23
7 - 8 am Yoga Asanas
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Hiking, Relaxation, etc
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Session
Thursday, September 24
7 - 8 am Yoga Asanas
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Hiking, Relaxation, etc
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Session
Friday, September 25
7 - 8 am Yoga Asanas
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Hiking, Relaxation, etc
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Session
Saturday, September 26
7 - 8 am Yoga Asanas
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Hiking, Relaxation, etc
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Session
Sunday, September 27
7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Yoga Asanas
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 1:30 pm Essential Empowerment
1:30 - 2:30 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note this schedule is subject to change at any time.
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