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The Great Seal: Introduction to Mahamudra Meditation
February 5–10, 2023
February 5–10, 2023
Dustin DiPerna

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

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Need a scholarship? Apply here.

Need a scholarship? Apply here.

This retreat presents a full set of teachings for Mahamudra meditation. The practice of Mahamudra, or Great Seal, originated in Northern India with the great mahasiddha Saraha. From Saraha, the practice expanded into several lineages that grew to include 84 wandering masters. These masters of Mahamudra were said to sing their students into enlightenment.

Over the course of this five-day program, students will be taught a detailed map of the four yogas of Mahamudra: One-Pointedness, Non-Elaboration, One-Taste, and Non-Meditation.

During this program, students will:

  • Experience many short sessions of meditation.
  • Be taught the basic tools of concentration.
  • Receive wisdom and insight into the true nature of thoughts, emotions, and perception.
  • Be taught to access a wide-open awareness that is deeply interconnected to everyone and everything.
  • Receive detailed instructions about the stages of the meditation path.  

Using the body as a gateway, students will begin with learning the stages of tranquility. Throughout the retreat, students will receive specific meditation instructions from Mahamudra masters like Tilopa, Maitripa, Sabari, and Niguma. All meditation sessions will be guided.

The retreat will culminate in an extraordinary insight practice where students will be given instructions to recognize the true nature of awareness as vast, non-dual, and unconditionally loving.

Each session builds on the previous one. Attendance at every session is required.Recommended reading: Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Thrangu Rinpoche,  Essentials of Mahamudra, by Thrangu Rinpoche

Recommended reading: Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Thrangu Rinpoche,  Essentials of Mahamudra, by Thrangu Rinpoche

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Dustin DiPerna

Dustin DiPerna

Dustin DiPerna is a Harvard-trained scholar of world religions and adjunct professor at Stanford University. He is a senior teacher of Tibetan meditation. His books include Streams of Wisdom and Evolution's Ally, among others.

Read More

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Workshop Schedule

Sunday
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Thursday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing

Dustin DiPerna

February 5–10, 2023
Register Now

This retreat presents a full set of teachings for Mahamudra meditation. The practice of Mahamudra, or Great Seal, originated in Northern India with the great mahasiddha Saraha. From Saraha, the practice expanded into several lineages that grew to include 84 wandering masters. These masters of Mahamudra were said to sing their students into enlightenment.

Over the course of this five-day program, students will be taught a detailed map of the four yogas of Mahamudra: One-Pointedness, Non-Elaboration, One-Taste, and Non-Meditation.

During this program, students will:

  • Experience many short sessions of meditation.
  • Be taught the basic tools of concentration.
  • Receive wisdom and insight into the true nature of thoughts, emotions, and perception.
  • Be taught to access a wide-open awareness that is deeply interconnected to everyone and everything.
  • Receive detailed instructions about the stages of the meditation path.  

Using the body as a gateway, students will begin with learning the stages of tranquility. Throughout the retreat, students will receive specific meditation instructions from Mahamudra masters like Tilopa, Maitripa, Sabari, and Niguma. All meditation sessions will be guided.

The retreat will culminate in an extraordinary insight practice where students will be given instructions to recognize the true nature of awareness as vast, non-dual, and unconditionally loving.

Each session builds on the previous one. Attendance at every session is required.Recommended reading: Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Thrangu Rinpoche,  Essentials of Mahamudra, by Thrangu Rinpoche

Recommended reading: Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Thrangu Rinpoche,  Essentials of Mahamudra, by Thrangu Rinpoche

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Dustin DiPerna

Dustin DiPerna is a Harvard-trained scholar of world religions and adjunct professor at Stanford University. He is a senior teacher of Tibetan meditation. His books include Streams of Wisdom and Evolution's Ally, among others.

Read More

Workshop Schedule

Sunday
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Thursday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing