UPDATED:
April 28, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UPCOMING Zoom Courses - Miksang: Looking and Seeing - Introduction to Contemplative Photography via Toronto ON

UPCOMING Zoom Course - Contemplative Photography Level 2 via TX

Miksang instructors John McQuade and Miriam Hall have published The Ways of Seeing, Looking and Seeing, and have a website for it, too.

John McQuade and Miriam Hall have also published Heart of Photography (July 2017). This book presents the main practices of Nalanda Miksang. Available at Amazon in both book and Kindle formats.

Please visit the Nalanda Miksang International Facebook Page.

There is a Facebook group for Contemplative Photography Edinburgh which organizes Miksang salons tri-weekly. Please see the Facebook group for further informaiton.

Read about the Austin TX Miksang Contemplative Photography exhibit in the Shambhala Times.

MIKSANG ZOOM COURSES

Miksang Level I

CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY ZOOM CLASS

Looking and Seeing: Introduction to Contemplative Photography
May 22 to June 26, 2022
2pm to 4pm EST
Price: $120 Program Price; $140 Patron Price; or pay what you can afford
For more information go to www.dralaimage.com
Registration is through the Toronto Shambhala Centre website
Contact/Registration via
John McQuade

Miksang Level II

CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY LEVEL II ZOOM CLASS

Contemplative Photography
Level 2
Unity of Houston
Four-week online course via Zoom
Saturdays in May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2022
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm CST
Registration limited to 12 participants
Fee: $60.00 US
Registration via the Unity of Houston website
For more information, e-mail Denise at: photos@foundworlds.com

Miksang Level III

ORDERLY CHAOS and ABSOLUTE/EYE

The visual world manifests as it is: nothing added; nothing subtracted. In this course we will let go and enter the freefall of pure perception. This opens an exploration of the visual as the visual. Modern American Artists have explored this Aboriginal perception. We will explore it with them. You will see what they see.

This course explores the direct perception of the visual as the visual. This direct perception resonates with the radical explorations of American Modern Art. You will see what they see and make brilliant modern art found images.This course is also educational. We will contemplate the schools of Modern American Art: abstract expressionism, colour field, pop, minimalism an so forth. A prerequisite for this course is the introductory Looking and Seeing program or permission of the instructor.

TBA

LOOKING AND SEEING:
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

When eye and mind are in the same place one sees clearly and the visual world manifests directly. At ease and joyful, there is no struggle in making images that are strong and vivid.

This introductory training includes instruction, assignments and image reviews. No previous photography experience necessary but you will need to bring your digital camera.

TBA

DIVING IN

Miksang Level II

Austin TX

In this one-day workshop, open to anyone who has previously participated in a Miksang course or retreat, we'll touch and be touched by our physical world. Beginning at the Shambhala Center, we'll go out on morning and afternoon assignments into beautiful, kinky, colossal Austin. We'll play together and alone, and then return to review our camera's treasures.

This dive into the phenomenal world is the beating heart of the Good Eye of Miksang practice. Join us!

You'll need a digital camera (loaners available) or smartphone and laptop to participate.

TBA

LEVEL I and II NALANDA MIKSANG INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS

TBA

FIVE WISDOMS: HEART SPACE AWARENESS

Five Wisdoms is a unique program designed by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. It involves taking specific postures in coloured environments (wearing coloured glasses) which provoke emotional and existential responses that can be processed and expressed as space awareness.

This is a tantric/vajrayana engagement that is open to the public. This practice is part of the contemplative psychology program of Naropa University and informs many Art practices. The program is of interest to meditation practioners, artists and therapists. The teachings will include Dharma teachings, psychological teachings and artistic engagements.

The program is conducted by John McQuade, a certified Five Wisdoms teacher, a Shambhala Training teacher, and founder of Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography.

TBA

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Being Contemplative: Life as an Enlightenment Way

This is not a photography workshop but it explores the Contemplative. The main contemplative art practice will be Haiku. Also contemplative exercises and an exploration of the Contemplative tradition. It focuses on how to find the contemplative through daily life.

TBA

Summer Miksang Maitri Retreat
Madison Shambhala Center

This first-time-ever, five-day intensive will explore the intersection of two deeply powerful practices: Maitri Space Awareness (otherwise known as Five Wisdoms) and Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography. These two have been combined in very brief weekend format in the recent past; this will be the first full five-day exploration.

Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography helps us communicate our direct visual perceptions clearly. Maitri Space Awareness uses postures and colors to explore the energy of emotions and elements.

Pre-requisite for this program is Nalanda Miksang Level I. Preference goes to those who have at least done Levels I-II, if not higher.

Cost is sliding scale, $250-$500 for the week. Please pay what you can, while also keeping in mind the deep dedication of the teachers, travel costs for John, as well as supporting Madison Shambhala, and Nalanda Miksang International.

TBA

THE HEART OF PHOTOGRAPHY: THE INNER CONTEMPLATIVE TEACHINGS

Miksang Level II

Once the discipline of looking and seeing is established, relaxation and appreciation arises and the visual communion with the world begins.

TBA

ORDERLY CHAOS and ABSOLUTE/EYE

Miksang Level III

The visual world manifests as it is: nothing added; nothing subtracted. In this course we will let go and enter the freefall of pure perception. This opens an exploration of the visual as the visual. Modern American Artists have explored this Aboriginal perception. We will explore it with them. You will see what they see.

This course explores the direct perception of the visual as the visual. This direct perception resonates with the radical explorations of American Modern Art. You will see what they see and make brilliant modern art found images.This course is also educational. We will contemplate the schools of Modern American Art: abstract expressionism, colour field, pop, minimalism an so forth. A prerequisite for this course is the introductory Looking and Seeing program or permission of the instructor.

TBA

TOUCHING THE EARTH: A Miksang Contemplative Photography Retreat

Touching the Earth is a gathering for photographers of all skill levels, beginners to professionals, seeking a fresh approach to connecting to themselves and the world. Miksang Contemplative Photography is the art and practice of visual awareness, dropping our agendas and allowing the world to touch our hearts directly. The program will use meditations, contemplations, and simple exercises to assist participants to access their wisdom, strength, and confidence as they travel beyond the grounds of Casa Werma, into Pátzcuaro and the surrounding countryside.

TBA

TEACHER TRAINING

Nalanda Miksang Teacher Training
John McQuade will be conducting Nalanda Miksang Teacher training programs. As a candidate for this program one must have taken at least the Level One and Level Two programs or an equivalent and have demonstrated a personal engagement with contemplative photography.
For more information contact John McQuade at dralaimage@gmail.com

Toronto ON
Toronto Shambhala Centre

Open House
Miksang students and practitioners showcase some of their recent slides. Open to the public. Time for all dates: 8:15pm (note: if you are planning on showing some of your images, please arrive by 7:30pm to load up).

TBA

ARCHIVED

Miksang instructor
Jake Lorfing (Austin TX) had been working with incarcerated youth: Miksang with Incarcerated Youth