Course Series:
The Heart of the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Module 1
The Heart of Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and Exploring Impermanence
Starts October 15, 2025
Module 2
Exploring the Nature of Mind through Meditation
Starts January 7, 2026
Module 3
Our Life on the Spiritual Path
Starts March 15, 2026
Course One: The Heart of Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Exploring Impermanence
Join us for this illuminating exploration that weaves together profound Buddhist wisdom with practical meditation training. Over nine sessions, we'll embark on a deep journey through some of the most essential teachings from the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.
We begin with an overview of the timeless wisdom found in Sogyal Rinpoche’s book, creating a foundation of understanding for the rich discoveries ahead. Through video teachings from respected Buddhist masters, you'll be introduced to the methodical practice of calm abiding (Shamatha) meditation—a practice that brings both peace and clarity to daily life.
At the heart of our learning together are the three wisdom tools, traditional Buddhist methods designed to speak to both heart and intellect. These powerful approaches don't just change how we think—they transform our entire way of being in the world. You'll discover how to work with these tools as trusted companions throughout your practice.
Our journey then deepens as we explore the teachings on impermanence, moving through investigations of death and change toward a richer understanding of interdependence. Understanding one of life's most profound realities—that everything is constantly shifting and interconnected then leads us to the ultimate view of what is changeless within us, “something boundless and infinitely spacious, something in which the dance of change and impermanence takes place”.
This course offers both newcomers and continuing students a supportive environment to explore these profound teachings at their own pace, with plenty of space for questions, reflection, and authentic discovery.
No prior experience with Buddhism or meditation required—just an open heart and curious mind.
Join us in this course this Fall!
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying: Developing Awareness and Understanding Impermanence
9 sessions: Wednesdays, October 15 - November 15, 2025
4pm PT/ 6pm ET
Duration: 2h
Learn more and register at: (Link to come)
In each session we will provide space to connect with the profound teachings in the book through:
Brief Video teachings from Tibetan and Western Buddhist masters
Meditation
Time for contemplation
Ample space for Group discussions and Q&A, offering you the opportunity to explore the teachings and practices in an open supportive environment.
Audience
This course series, and each short course, is suitable for everyone. Each class is 1:45 minutes in length. Classes are offered via Zoom.
“In this book, I endeavored to share something of the wisdom of the tradition I grew up in. I sought to show the practical nature of its ancient teachings and how they can help us at every stage of living and dying. Many people, over the years, had urged me to write this book. They said that it would help relieve some of the intense sufferings that so many of us go through in the modern world.”
Class Size: Each module will be limited to 30 students.
Materials: Students will need to have a copy of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, available online in print and Kindle formats. An audio book version is also available, but students should have a copy of the text.
The course sessions are offered online, via Zoom. Course materials, suggested home study and discussions will be shared in an online forum.
Course materials will be made available a week before the start date.
COURSE SERIES
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Wednesdays
4pm PT / 7 pm ET
In this introductory course, we provide a general overview of the themes we will be going into in depth throughout the year-long series of courses. We will watch video teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche and other Buddhist masters, and we will present a methodical introduction to calm abiding (Shamatha) meditation.
We will learn to work with the study tools that are emphasized in traditional Buddhist teachings that are designed to speak to the heart as well as the intellect. These methods are called the
3 wisdom tools, and we will learn how to rely on them to transform not only our understanding but our whole being. We will regularly use these tools as we journey through the entire series of courses.
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Starts Wednesday Jan 7, 2026
9 weeks4pm PT / 7 pm ET
This course takes us on a journey from an investigation of death and impermanence, through deep reflection on change and interdependence, to an introduction to basic Buddhist principles that support an appreciation of the immeasurable, indefinable potential of the true nature of our mind that is revealed beyond a mind that grasps at simple appearance.
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Starts Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
8 Weeks4pm PT / 7 pm ET
We investigate two aspects of the mind: the appearance of the mind - our thoughts, emotions, all the stories, the ordinary mind; and the essence of mind – which is clear, cognizant and is totally free and unconfined in its infinite possibilities. We look more closely at how to make our meditation practice truly meaningful as we begin to understand how meditation can bring us beyond our ordinary minds to make friends with our minds’ true essence.
Teaching Team
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Pat Best
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Linda Forrester
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Jeff Middelton
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Betty Lynn-Moulton
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Hanne Riegg-Luedge
THE TEACHING TEAM
Pat Best has been instructing Rigpa public courses since 2011. With many years of study, practice, and the motivation to help others, she continues to offer time to guide students with their own study and practice. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and her daughter, and three grandchildren nearby.
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.
Debbie Kinton was first introduced to Tibetan Buddhism in 1979 in Galway, Ireland. Her connection to the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying deepened during retreats where chapters of the book were read aloud. Studying the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying has been a cornerstone of her spiritual path.
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.
Betty Lynn Moulton is a retired psychologist and has been privileged to help guide many students over the years in their study of the teachings. She particularly enjoys interacting with students who are just beginning to study the Buddhist path. She lives on Maui with her husband, three horses, and three cats.
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.