Dancing with Opposition: Spiritual Warriorship in Everyday Life

*Registration available for the full event series, or for the Friday talk or weekend retreat.

Ling Gésar is the epitome of spiritual warriorship and sovereignty in Tibetan history and literature, as well as among Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. As a legendary, enlightened warrior-king, he was known for embodying wisdom and compassion in responding to the turmoil and distortions of his time, demonstrating a remarkable ability to communicate with others deeply entrenched in emotional coping strategies—like anger, grief, or detachment—and trapped in conditioned perceptions.

At the heart of the Ling Gésar spiritual teachings is the ability to dance with opposition—embracing wisdom and skillful means in the face of challenges. This event series will help attendees explore how we can apply these teachings in our own lives, including how to tap into extraordinary sensitivity; develop skillful communication; and deepen our ability to attune to each moment through deep awareness and increased skillful means.

Both the public talk on Friday evening and the two-day weekend retreat are open to all! You need not be a martial artist or a Buddhist to attend. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and engage freely in discussion

Friday night’s event will offer an introduction to the art of spiritual warriorship through the lens of an experienced martial arts practitioner and Buddhist teacher. Martial artists, Buddhist and other spiritual practitioners, and/or others with with an interest in the inner life or spiritual work of martial practice may find this event particularly interesting.

The weekend retreat will offer a deeper dive into the art of spiritual warriorship practice using physical, visionary, sound and other practices from the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. Those with an interest in exploring or deepening their compassion and ability to relate skillfully with others may find this program supportive and inspiring. Please note that folks interested in the weekend retreat should plan to attend the full program to honor the teacher, teachings, other attendees, and to experience the fullness of the practices.

*Vegetarian lunch will be served during the two-day retreat. Please plan to dress comfortably as some light to moderate movement practices will be offered. Please also bring a meditation cushion or pillow i(f you have one) as well as a water bottle.

**Please also note that the event is currently scheduled to be held on the second floor of the Diamond Heart gym, accessible via stairs. Please let us know in advance if you have access needs.

This event series is co-hosted by Courage of Care (courageofcare.org) and Ocha Dharma (https://www.ochadharma.org/).

Lama Ying-rig Dorjé is a warm, open, and approachable teacher full of joy, with a depth of knowledge and gift for explaining these teachings with clarity. His main purpose has always been upliftment of whoever he meets. He has had many spiritual teachers connecting with the path of awakening. He became an apprentice of Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen in 1992 and was ordained as a Naljorpa in 2000. He has studied and also teaches sKu-mNyé—a Buddhist physical practice engaging the energetic and physical system through gentle to more rigorous movements—as well as other physical practices in Yogic Buddhist traditions, since becoming an apprentice.

Before becoming a Buddhist practitioner and teacher, he was a teacher of Pencak Silat—the Indonesian martial art—having studied martial arts since he was 14 years old. Yet, he found himself needing more depth in terms of the nature of the mind itself. He received the Ling Gésar robes and implements from Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche. He now studies and holds the treasures of Ling Gésar—the epitome of spiritual warriorship and sovereignty in the Vajrayana, Dzogchen tradition. He has received the martial healing-arts with knives and swords associated with Ling Gésar, as well as other methods including mantras, which focus on raising rLung rTa (enthusiasm), maintaining srog (life force), and enhancing the lha (dynamic drive) of the individual—promoting good health, vitality, longevity, and charismatic lucidity.

Residing in Finland, he speaks multiple languages, teaches throughout Europe, and journeys to the East every year to spend time with teachers and at vortices (special places).

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Diamond Heart, 67 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn, United States