***Registration for this retreat is restricted.*** 

Please only register if you have completed the application process and been invited to join the Certification Level. You can apply to the Mandala Method Certification Program, here.

The Mandala Method Certification Program provides training for those interested in working one-on-one with others utilizing Tara Mandala’s mandala practices, as developed by Lama Tsultrim Allione. The certification is ideal for therapists, coaches, counselors, and other facilitators who desire to add this powerful framework and the associated practices to their professional toolset. 

Please read the overview material on the Mandala Method Certification Program to learn the details of this program.

This two-part Mandala Method Certification Capstone Virtual Retreat is available to those who have already completed Levels I, II, and III of the Mandala Method or their equivalent, and the accumulated personal practices. This includes:

Level I: Wisdom Rising – Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine or equivalent
Practice Accumulations: 50 hours of Dakini Mandala practice (10 per dakini) plus ½ hour post-practice for each family (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Dakini, or optionally FYD). Total time = 75 hours

Level II: Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine or equivalent
50 hours Buddha (10-hrs per Buddha), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Buddha, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours

Level III: Journey into the Union of Sacred Feminine and Masculine or equivalent
50 hours Yab Yum (10 per Yab Yum), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Yab Yum, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours

Those who have received these practices from Tara Mandala Authorized Teachers through other courses or retreats, for example within their sanghas or within a Vajrayana or Dakini Retreat offered by Tara Mandala, will qualify, as long as they have completed the practice requirements. Contact the Mandala Method coordinator through this Contact Form if you are unsure if your retreats qualify.

This two-part retreat is the equivalent of the Capstone retreat, in the Path to Certification and offers an accelerated path to Certification for the first cohort. 

Participants will be required to complete the following guided partner work between retreats, in lieu of having done them between levels. This partner work will be supported through monthly online sessions. Live attendance at both parts of the Capstone retreat and at least two of the monthly partner work support sessions will be required to qualify for Certification. 

Required Guiding Practice Partner Work Between October and March:
Partner sessions (guiding and being guided), with completed feedback forms for each of the following:

• 2 Guided Journey with Dakini 
• 2 Guided Journey with Buddha 
• 2 Guided Journey with Yab Yum 
• 2 Element Meditations
• 2 Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice)
• 2 Mandala Work with Your Hands
• 3 Life Review 

Note: Participants should vary the buddha families they are working with throughout all of the above practices.

• 1 Dakini Mandala Practice
• 1 Buddha Mandala Practice
• 1 Yab Yum Mandala Practice

Totaling 18 partner sessions

Participants must apply and be accepted into the Certification Program prior to enrollment, and  may register through this page upon acceptance. Apply here.

In this two-part retreat you will learn:

• Mandala Method Pillars and Mode of Working
• Non duality, Non-Self vs Psychological Self, Parts and the fragmenting of the psyche
• How to introduce the mandala and the five families to individuals
• Guidelines for identifying encumbered emotions and wisdoms
• Psychological foundations for mandala work
• How to introduce the symbolism of the Dakinis/Buddhas/YabYum
• When to introduce or utilize each mandala (Dakini/Buddha/YabYum)
• Practice Guiding and Receive Feedback on all Practices Included in Certification:
  • Five Family Life Review, for each of the five families (formerly called Regression)
  • Dakini, Buddha or Yab Yum Mandala practice
  • Journeys with the Dakini, Buddha, or Yab Yum
  • Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice, for all five families)
  • Element Meditation (for all five families)
  • Mandala Work with Your Hands 
• Guidance on determining order of work and appropriate interventions
• Trauma considerations
• Ethical considerations
• Review of what Certification Includes
• Presentation of Certification in relationship to Tara Mandala
• Continued Support, Review and Case Presentations

Certified individuals will continue to receive support and engage in online Case Presentations and Supervision following certification. These sessions will be offered monthly, with each individual selecting those they wish to participate in. 

Practices: 

• Dakini, Buddha or Yab Yum Mandala practice
• Five Family Life Review, for each of the five families (formerly called Regression)
• Journeys with the Dakini, Buddha, or Yab Yum
• Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice, for all five families)
• Element Meditation (for all five families)
• Mandala Work with Your Hands 

Who Should Attend?
Those who have met the prerequisites and been accepted into the Mandala Method Certification Program

The prerequisites for this retreat are:

• Level I: Wisdom Rising – Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine or equivalent
  • Practice Accumulations: 50 hours of Dakini Mandala practice (10 per dakini) plus ½ hour post-practice for each family (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Dakini, or optionally FYD). Total time = 75 hours
• Level II: Wisdom Rising – Journey into the Mandala of the Sacred Masculine or equivalent
  • 50 hours Buddha (10-hrs per Buddha), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Buddha, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours
• Level III: Wisdom Rising – Divine Union, Yab Yum Mandala or equivalent
  • 50 hours YabYum (10 per YabYum), plus ½ hour post-practice for each (Art through Mandala Work with your Hands, Journey with the Yab Yum, or optional FYD-see above). Total time = 75 hours
• Acceptance into the Mandala Method Certification Program

Recording Access: 
All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings.

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?
Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curriculum that give you the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreat and hands-on learning, while connecting with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year. 

Tara Mandala Pricing Guidelines
As we work to become an equitable, diverse and inclusive community, our pricing guidelines are intended to be a map, inviting each of us to take inventory of resources that contribute to our access to precious dharma teachings. While we do ask you to look inward, please know there is no right or wrong answer. We encourage you to select the range/rate appropriate to your circumstances. To learn more about Tara Mandala’s pricing guidelines for Online Programs, In-Person Retreats, and Special Promotions, please visit this page. 

Installment Payment Plan Option at Registration
During registration, students can either pay the program fee in full or select the Installment Payment option. If choosing the installment payment option, students will pay a 50% deposit upon registering and subsequent equal payments will be processed automatically every two-weeks. The final balance is due 14 days before the start of the program.

Deferred Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
Tara Mandala offers two types of financial assistance: Deferred Payment Plans and Scholarships. You may apply for one or both of these types of assistance. Read the terms carefully as outlined on the financial aid application. Please see this page for further information.

Offering dana to the teacher: The practice of offering dana, which means “generosity,” is the traditional offering the student makes to the teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the program. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. 

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Program discount to this course. To learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership, benefits, and discounts, click here. 

Click Here for Our Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Daylight Time. Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

PART I
Thursday, October 10, 2024
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Friday, October 11, 2024
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Saturday, October 12, 2024
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Sunday, October 13, 2024
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Online support, practice and feedback sessions will be held monthly between the October and March dates. 

PART II
Friday, March 14, 2025
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Saturday, March 15, 2025
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Sunday, March 16, 2025
9:00am – 3:00pm MDT

Certified individuals will continue to receive support and engage in online Case Presentations and Supervision following certification. These sessions will be offered monthly, with each individual selecting those they wish to participate in.