Tibetan Buddhism in the West
We are a small Buddhist group providing an opportunity for study and practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We primarily meet through Zoom, but if you are near Kansas City or Southern Michigan you can get in touch with us live. We have been meeting for over 25 years.
The Tibetan lamas who were forced out by the Chinese takeover and genocide in Tibet began to come to the West in the 1960s and teach Buddhism directly to European and American students. Tibetan Buddhism is a vast, extraordinarily rich philosophical and ritualistic spiritual tradition institutionally similar to Roman Catholicism in its splendor and majesty and perennial tendency to embroil itself in scandal.
Dzogchen is a relaxed form of Buddhism suitable for everyone. It includes meditation instructions that have been handed down teacher to student for over a thousand years that show us how to live in natural openness free of fear and anxiety.
Our presentation of Buddhist meditation is in the context of a deep knowledge and appreciation of Western artistic, philosophical, religious and contemplative traditions.
Meditation, our central practice, clarifies and enlivens all aspects of our lives and is not in opposition to any beliefs or lifestyle we may enjoy. It helps to strengthen our natural awareness and self-acceptance and does not attempt to change anything.
Our faculty answer most texts and emails. Individual in person meditation instruction or zoom meditation instruction is also available. We provide instruction to students at all levels of experience.
We are not affiliated with any religious organization. We don’t charge for teachings or accept donations. When we meet live we meet in our homes. It is simpler and closer to the original manner of instruction this way.
Bruce Nelson is the principal teacher and founder of Dzogchen College. He and his wife, Teri have been studying and practicing meditation since the late 1960's. He has received teachings and guidance from many highly venerated masters of the past century.
Bruce has led workshops and retreats for over forty years at meditation centers in the Midwest. In the early 1990's, he began leading practice groups and retreats in the Kansas City area associated with Trungpa Rinpoche, Kusum Lingpa, and many visiting lamas from the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Gelugpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism. His extensive collection of written works includes Buddhist commentaries and liturgies, poetry, philosophical essays and fiction. Bruce and Teri currently reside in Michigan.
Ed Matheny, one of the cofounders of the College, shares dharma talks on Buddhist texts and philosophical topics. He is a student of the late master, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, one of the first Tibetan Lamas to teach Dzogchen to westerners. He is currently studying and practicing with the Dzogchen teacher and translator, Acarya Malcolm Smith. Ed is an astute scholar with wide-ranging interests and expertise.
Don Smith and Joe Mentesana have studied with Bruce since the early 2000's and have been instrumental in carrying the group forward. They regularly give dharma talks, and lead meditation sessions.
Introduce yourself, ask questions, get in touch.
Bruce Nelson
westerntext@msn.com
Ed Matheny
Don Smith
Joe Mentasena