In the first week, we will explore the importance of establishing the prerequisite conditions for a stable and effective Shamatha practice.

This includes examining supportive environmental factors, understanding correct physical posture, and clearly identifying the object of meditation.

During the second week, the teachings and practice will focus on developing familiarity with the actual meditative process. Participants will learn to identify the Five Obstacles that commonly arise during meditation and how to apply the Eight Antidotes to skillfully overcome these challenges.

By the third week, as participants gain greater continuity and confidence in their practice, we will turn our attention to cultivating Shamatha more directly. Emphasis will be placed on developing Mindfulness and Vigilance—the two essential mental factors of genuine Shamatha meditation. Alongside this, we will learn to recognize and work with both the gross and subtle forms of Dullness and Agitation, the primary obstacles to mental stabilization.

In the fourth week, we will examine the progressive path of the Nine Stages of Mental Stabilization and how they guide practitioners step by step toward the attainment of Shamatha.

The fifth week will focus on understanding the Four Types of Attention and cultivating the Six Powers that support advancement through each of the Nine Stages of Mental Stabilization. These practices deepen stability, clarity, and continuity in meditation.

The final week is dedicated to strengthening personal practice, encouraging independence, and fostering reflection on the retreat experience. If time permits, there will also be a brief introduction to foundational Buddhist teachings. 

For more information and registration, email us at [email protected]

Geshe Ngawang Thekchok was born in Chunpo Tibet in the year 1970 to a family of nomads in a remote village. He began learning to read and write Tibetan from his parents at a very young age.

At the age of 15 he was enrolled into Phelgey Ling monastery and began his training in Buddhist ritual and prayers, culminating in his receiving ordination. He escaped to India in 1991 after 3 weeks of a treacherous journey via Nepal with six other people.

He began his formal studies after his arrival in India in the five treatises of Buddhist Philosophy at Drepung Loseling monastery under the tutelage of well-known masters like Venerable Lobsang Nyima, the 100th Gaden Throne Holder, Venerable Lobsang Tenzin, the 103rd Gaden Throne Holder and Venerable Namgyal Wangchen. 

In 1992 he received his gelong (full monk) ordination from His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama at Drepung monastery. After successful completion of his studies in this monastery in the year 2007, he went on to study for Geshe Lharampa degree. By dint of his hard work and perseverance, he successfully completed Gelug board examination and earned the much-coveted Geshe Lharampa degree in 2013. Thereafter he went to Gyuto tantric monastery to study and practice tantra for one year.

Geshela has been teaching ever since then; he taught for one year in Ladakh and then taught Buddhist Philosophy in Drepung monastery voluntarily for many years. He has also served as a member of the monastery Examination Board.

Geshe la has been the resident teacher at Thosamling since 2019. Geshela is a very learned yet humble scholar with a quiet sense of humor and is very skillful in showing students how to practice the dharma.