Welcome to our foundational course series:
The Heart of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

Spring 2026 : Breaking Free From Your Habitual Patterns

Do you feel like you're living the same patterns over and over? Many of us experience a sense of being stuck—repeating the same relationships, reactions, and life circumstances despite our best efforts to change. What if there was a way to understand the deeper currents that shape our experience? Rather than seeing life as random events happening to you, you'll discover a framework for understanding the deeper patterns at work—what many traditions call the law of cause and effect, or karma. This isn't about fate or being trapped by past actions, but about recognizing your incredible power to shape your experience through mindfulness, awareness, and the courage to face your habitual reactions.

This 12-week exploration invites you to consider a profound possibility: that your current life is part of a much larger story of growth, learning, and awakening. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying offers clear, practical wisdom on meditation, understanding our minds, and making sense of how our actions shape our lives. Drawing from an authentic tradition, which encourages us to look at ourselves with honesty, the teachings and reflections help us recognize who we really are underneath the habits and patterns that keep us stuck - allowing us to let go of old reactions and empowering us to choose a new way forward.

What You'll Discover

Why we suffer - Understanding the root causes of dissatisfaction and how recognizing them is the first step toward freedom

The possibility of freedom - Discovering that suffering isn't inevitable or permanent, but something we can genuinely transcend

Your power to create change - Learning how every action, thought, and intention plants seeds that shape your future experience

A practical path forward - Exploring three interconnected approaches to transformation:

  • Seeing clearly - Developing a deeper understanding of reality and your place in it

  • Inner cultivation - Practices that help you stabilize wisdom and compassion

  • Living it fully - Bringing these insights into every aspect of your daily life

We'll also examine what it means to awaken fully—to experience the "profound peace" and "natural simplicity" that the Buddha described, and how this possibility lives within each of us.

A Space for Everyone

This isn't about adopting new beliefs or abandoning your current worldview. It's about expanding your perspective to include possibilities that might illuminate your current experience in profound ways. Whether or not you ultimately embrace these teachings, exploring them can offer fresh insights into age-old questions about meaning, purpose, and human potential.

The wisdom we'll explore has guided countless people toward greater peace, compassion, and understanding for over 2,500 years. These aren't abstract philosophical concepts, but practical tools for living with greater freedom and joy.

You don't need any background in Buddhism or meditation—just an open mind and curiosity about life's deeper questions. We'll explore these profound topics with gentleness, respect for different perspectives, and always with an eye toward how these insights can serve your actual life.

Join us for this compassionate exploration of wisdom that has the power to transform not just how you see this life, but how you understand the magnificent journey of consciousness itself.

Wednesdays (exact dates coming soon)
4pm PT/ 7pm ET
Duration: 2h

Rigpa US is pleased to offer an exciting series of online courses exploring The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, the groundbreaking classic by Sogyal Rinpoche, which has helped millions of people throughout the world to find wellbeing in their lives. These courses rely on the Buddhist tradition of wisdom and compassion and open the way to deeper understanding and freedom from suffering.

The series of courses provides an overview of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings as presented in this acclaimed book. Suitable for everyone, each course is designed to stand alone, so you can attend any or all in the series. 

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

Course Instructors

  • Pat Best

  • Linda Forrester

  • Jeff Middelton

  • Hanne Riegg-Luedge

  • Nancy Searls

    Description goes here

  • Cam Tran

THE INSTRUCTORS TEAM

Pat Best: A deep longing developed in Pat’s heart to ease the suffering of beings after a young daughter of a co-worker was diagnosed with an incurable illness. She found The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying showed the causes of all suffering and gave practical ways to deal with suffering. Decades later, she continues to use these techniques and finds these teachings are more relevant than ever and wishes to share them with the world.

Linda Forrester first read and fell in love with the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying in 2001 and started going to weekly meditation sessions. Retired now, Linda Forrester taught ESL at the City University of New York for over 25 years. Her work with immigrant and international students was constantly inspired by Sogyal Rinpoche’s teachings, and she feels deep gratitude to him.

Jeff Middelton initially connected through the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying while traveling in India. He has found that the brilliant clarity in the teachings and the practice have provided an accessible refuge so essential in today’s modern world. He particularly enjoys interacting with students who are drawn to the Buddhist path.

Hanne Riegg-Luedge has been an instructor since the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying was published in 1992. After living in Santa Cruz for over 30 years, she moved to Southern Oregon in 2020 with her husband to live close to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.  Hanne is a retired psychologist.

Nancy Searls read the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying in 1996 and has considered herself as a dharma student since. She completed an extensive study and practice that takes seven years to complete. She's been a teacher with Rigpa helping to hold a variety of courses. Currently she is retired on an island, North of Seattle, where she can focus on practice and study and co-holds a biweekly meditation group. 

Cam Tran was at a very low point in her life when she first met Sogyal Rinpoche in the Bay Area in 1994. Consumed by suffering, she read the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and fell in love with the book, especially the chapters on Loving Kindness, The Spiritual Path and the Innermost Essence.  Rinpoche’s teaching and compassion helped her to heal, and learn to let go and forgive. By continuing to study and follow the spiritual path, she gained a newfound sense of purpose and aspires to benefit others.