From November 6th to 10th, Valley Spirit Wellness Center in Washington Depot, CT will host a special delegation of Tibetan monks from India and Nepal. For five days in a row, the citizens of Litchfield County and visitors from around the country will have the extraordinary opportunity to meet with legendary monastics and discover the Tibetan secret of longevity: ancient meditations for increased health and long life. For the first time in entire North America, the monks will be creating a traditional sand mandala, known as the mandala of Drenpa Namkha. “Traditionally, longevity empowerments are given as a method to heal and protect the lifespan, restore vitality, and to increase good luck and prosperity”, says Jampa Stewart, co-owner of Valley Spirit Wellness Center (VSWC), who for over 35 years trained with many Tibetan Buddhist and Taoist masters and now is one of the leading meditation instructors in the USA.
As part of the longevity empowerment, the monks will be creating a traditional sand mandala of Drenpa Namkha, highly reputed teacher believed to have lived in the 8th century and to have gained the yogic power of being able to tame wild yak with the wave of the hand. “We are honored as this sand mandala has never before been created in North America. I am very happy that Valley Spirit will be a place where people from the local community and visitors will have this amazing opportunity to see their breathtaking art and to receive their blessing. This is very personal to me. I grew up in Washington. This unique event is for people of all ages who are interested in art, meditation, culture and longevity.”, says Kristin Kunhardt, owner and vision keeper of VSWC.
Agenda
From Tuesday, November 6th to Thursday, November 8th the public is invited to observe the ritual process of creating the sand mandala free of charge. Donations are welcome and will be collected for development of future initiatives. Groups over 8 people, are requested to contact Valley Spirit in advance to schedule a private visit. As part of this public event, the monks will lead a free daily meditation each morning (8:30AM – tentative time).
On Friday, November 9th, Kündrol Rinpoche will bestow the actual longevity empowerment of Drenpa Namkha. In addition to the empowerment, each participant will receive the longevity mantra of Drenpa Namkha and instructions for the meditation practice. Registration is required for this event. Early registration is strongly advised as space is limited.
On Saturday November 10th, the empowerment ritual will formally conclude with the dissolution of the sand mandala. The monks will also perform the victory dance of the enlightened protector Sipé Gyalmo, Queen of Existence, and one of the primary guardians of the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition.
All events will take place at Valley Spirit Wellness Center, 6 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot, CT 06794. For further information, registration and event times, everyone interested should go to www.valleyspiritcoop.com or contact Jampa Stewart, Valley Spirit Wellness Center at 860-619-2788.
About visiting Tibetan monks
The Tibetan monks are visiting from Tashi Menri Monastery in Dolanji, India and Triten Norbutse Monastery, Nepal. HE Kündrol Rinpoche is the abbot of Za Mongyal Yungdrung Ling in Dehra Dun, India. Yungdrung Bön is the ancient, pre-Indian Buddhist religious tradition established by Buddha Tönpa Shenrap.
About Valley Spirit Wellness Center
Valley Spirit Wellness Center in Washington Depot, Connecticut, offers a variety of classes and therapies for optimum self-care and overall health of body and spirit provided by top practitioners and instructors from across the country. From yoga, meditation, Tai Chi & Qi Gong, and Pilates, massages, acupuncture, Chinese medical treatments, and organic facials to medical intuitive healing, sound healing, life coaching, and art, Valley Spirit offers wisdom from around the world to support healing and growth. Valley Spirit is an uncommon wellness center for all ages and every pocket. For more information visit www.valleyspiritcoop.com