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A Letter from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

My personal goals are to bring the practice of meditation to as many people as possible and to present the authentic Buddhist teachings of Tibet in a way that is compatible with the modern mind. Tergar International and the network of Tergar Meditation Centers and Groups are the organizations that will make this vision a reality.

Dear friends, students, and fellow meditators,

Over the past decade, I've traveled around the world, sharing the practice of meditation with people from all walks of life. My experiences teaching have convinced me that meditation is as relevant today as it has ever been. Indeed, irrespective of the religious beliefs and cultural conditioning that we bring to our practice, meditation is an extremely effective way to open the heart, calm the mind, and awaken the wisdom that lies within.  

I experienced the power of meditation first hand as a child. By making the feeling of intense anxiety the object of my meditation practice, I was able to overcome the debilitating panic attacks that I had experienced from the time I was seven years old. In a sense, there was nothing religious, or even spiritual, about my experience. I was simply a young child who struggled to find the solution to a difficult problem. As luck would have it, the solution I stumbled upon was the practice of meditation. My childhood experience taught me that meditation is not only an effective tool for uprooting the causes of confusion and suffering, but also for dealing with the psychological issues, stressful situations, and other problems that we often face in daily life.  

For this reason, I firmly believe that meditation can be practiced by people of all faiths, as well as those who follow none at all. For some, meditation may simply be a way to cultivate a peaceful mind, to deal with difficult thoughts and emotions, or even to reduce stress and lead a healthier, more balanced life. Others may wish to take this journey further, exploring the causes of suffering and how to eliminate confusion and suffering once and for all. All of these are worthy pursuits.  

My personal goals are to bring the practice of meditation to as many people as possible and to present the authentic Buddhist teachings of Tibet in a way that is compatible with the modern mind. Over the past few years, I've been developing a course of study and practice that will allow both Buddhists and non-Buddhists to deepen their experience and understanding of the path of meditation. The first part of this journey is the Joy of Living, a series of three seminars that offer practical guidance on the key principles of meditation. These courses are designed for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. For those who then wish to explore formal Buddhist practice, the Path of Liberation builds on the Joy of Living by addressing the causes of confusion and suffering and uncovering the radiant purity of the mind's true nature. 

I've also been giving a great deal of thought to how we can foster a sense of connectedness within our community, given that I travel and teach all over the world. The supportive environment provided by a spiritual community is an integral part of the path. The Buddha himself considered it to be so important that he included it among the Three Jewels in which Buddhists take refuge. The modern world, moreover, provides little support for developing a rich inner life. For all these reasons, I feel that creating materials, programs, and events that will help us come together as a spiritual family is critically important. 

As you have undoubtedly noticed, I've chosen to name our community the Tergar Meditation Community. Tergar is the name of my monastery in Tibet and has been the home of my spiritual lineage for centuries. Within our community, there are two main organizations: Tergar International and the network of Tergar Meditation Centers and Groups. Tergar International, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., will help me design and implement the Joy of Living and Path of Liberation programs, create materials for practice and study, train instructors and facilitators, and help me stay connected with all of you. Cortland Dahl and Edwin Kelley are the co-directors of Tergar International, while Lama Sherab serves as the director of Tergar International in Asia, based in Hong Kong. They will be working closely with the various Tergar Meditation Centers and Groups to make sure that you have access to the courses, materials, and guidance needed to advance along the path. 

Due to my busy schedule, it is very difficult for me to visit all the places I would like to go. Despite the infrequency of my visits, I know that many of you are deeply motivated to study and practice. For this reason, I have created video-based seminars for each of the Joy of Living levels and trained a small group of instructors—consisting of Cortland Dahl, Edwin Kelley, Myoshin Kelley, Lama Sherab, and Tim Olmsted—to facilitate these seminars wherever there are interested groups of students. Tergar instructors will also be able to lead short practice retreats and classes, and help the Tergar centers and groups develop a regular schedule of courses and events.  

We are also developing written and video materials for the Path of Liberation levels, as well as online programs for those who do not have access to a Tergar group or center. In addition, Tergar International will create programs to train facilitators for the Joy of Living levels. Eventually, I would like the Joy of Living to be taught in schools, prisons, hospitals, and many other settings. 

As you can see, this is a monumental undertaking. Though many of these programs and resources may not be available right away, we're committed to doing everything we can to help you deepen your meditation practice. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with my representatives at Tergar if you have any questions or would like to get involved. We welcome your comments and sincerely hope that you will find a home in our new community. 

I will keep you all in my heart and in my prayers. 

Yours in the Dharma,

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche