Thank you for participating in the Rigpa WMRI online course. I wanted to highlight some resources that are available to support you on your path.

Rigpa offers:

(1) Inspirational Teachings – recent teachings by Sogyal Rinpoche and other visiting teachers, in video or audio format; and

(2) the opportunity for participation in ongoing sangha community at our centers and online Rigpa forums; and

(3) retreats and special programs with Sogyal Rinpoche, his senior students, and visiting masters, at our retreat centers worldwide.

(4) continuing study with the Rigpa Online Courses curriculum.

 

Detailed information about these four points is listed below:

(1) Teaching Support

·          You can find a selection of free online introductory teachings in these places:

·          The Rigpa International website, http://www.rigpa.org/en/teachings.html,

·          The Rigpa Online Course website http://www.rigpaonlinecourses.org/

·          The What Meditation Really is website http://whatmeditationreallyis.com

·          Rigpa also offers a free daily email with inspiring quotes called “Glimpse of the Day”. You can sign up here.

 

You can also order a variety of teachings from the ZAM online store at http://www.zamamerica.org/ or http://www.zamstore.com/ outside of the US. RigpaLinks are a collection of in-depth teachings given by Sogyal Rinpoche focusing on the most recent cycle of teachings. They can be ordered through Zam as a monthly subscription or on an individual basis.

There is a wealth of information accessible through the "Links & Partners" tab at the bottom of the www.rigpa.org site, or http://www.rigpa.org/en/links-a-partners.html .

There is also an active new blog, website, and community forum related to the recent teachings on What Meditation Really Is at http://whatmeditationreallyis.com/index.php/lang-en/home-blog .

 

(2) Community Support

It is much easier to continue applying the Dharma in our life if we can be part of a sangha community whose members help each other follow the teachings of the Buddha as authentically as possible. Students who wish to follow the spiritual guidance and teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche are invited to participate in our sangha community at our local centers worldwide, and through our online courses.

When students live close to established Rigpa centers, it is generally most supportive to make a connection with that local center and participating in-person with that local sangha.

~ Visit the Rigpa website at http://www.rigpa.org/ to find a center near you.

 

For students who don’t live near a center or group or are unable to attend due to other circumstances, the online courses serve as a forum for students to study and practice together – supporting each other with the guidance of our experienced instructors, and through the support of fellow students sharing their questions, insights and the challenges they overcame – what worked and how they applied the teachings quite often makes the difference between feeling overwhelmed verses finding the inspiration and support to face difficult circumstances.

These are other online resources for community support:

·          Sogyal Rinpoche also has a page on Facebook: click here.

·          As mentioned above, there is a community forum on the “What Meditation Really Is” site.

 

(3) Rigpa Events

Rigpa offers national and international retreats with Sogyal Rinpoche and visiting masters, and special programs and events led by senior students. Retreats offer an opportunity for people to come together in person to enter more fully into the teachings and practice. Special programs and events are held regionally, and offer the opportunity in-person (and sometimes 'virtually', via on-line webinar technology) to receive teachings and practice support on particular topics.

~ For more information about Rigpa teachings and events, click on this link:

http://www.rigpa.org/en/courses-a-events.html

 

(4) Complete Curriculum

Rigpa offers a full online program of study and practice of the Buddhist teachings, as taught by Sogyal Rinpoche.  Beginning with the 'Foundation Series' of introductory courses, the Rigpa Online Courses provides a graduated path of study and practice, so that each student has a clear understanding about what area of study and practice to concentrate on, and the care and support to know how to proceed with study and practice. We will send announcements about upcoming courses.

~ For more information about the Rigpa Online Course Program, and links to course registration, visit the website at http://www.rigpaonlinecourses.org/ .