Transitioning from Thai Forest (Theravada) to Dzogchen (Nyingma) – Looking for serious practice centers worldwide (and advice on the shift in view)
A bit about my background: I have a solid foundation in intensive, highly disciplined monastic settings. Mostily realated to the Therevada Forest Tradition.
Lately, I’ve felt a powerful pull toward the Dzogchen view and want to dedicate my next chapter to its study and practice.
Initially, I looked into 6-month residential "work-study" programs at places like the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley, USA. However, I realized their layout is heavily weighted toward full-time manual labor for the estate (40+ hours a week of cooking, gardening, maintenance) with formal study/practice relegated entirely to evenings. Coming from a monastic background, I am looking for something where the daytime priority is actually text study, formal contemplation, and resting the mind, rather than full-time housekeeping.
I am open to traveling anywhere worldwide. I know of a few options like Dzogchen Beara in Ireland, Lerab Ling in France, and the various Gars of the Dzogchen Community (like Tashigar or Merigar), but I would love to hear your recommendations for places that offer immersive, long-term residential study/practice deeply rooted in pure Dzogchen.
I would love to hear center recommendations, book suggestions, or personal experiences.
Tashi Delek!