Lama Lekshe’s Podcast
These Wisdom and Compassion conversations are an offering of Lama Lekshe, the resident lama for Dekeling. Lekshe trained for over 30 years in the Karma and Shangpa Kagyu Buddhist traditions in India, Nepal and the US. She completed a traditional, fully-cloistered three year retreat in 2018. She offers classes and retreats in the US, and works extensively as both a community-and-one-to-one guide for members of the Dekleing Community and elsewhere. Lekshe's days as a secular teacher and curriculum designer, systems theory-based problem solver, mountaineer and a long-time artist all impact her approach to life and dharma. While she stays close to the Tibetan roots of her training, she also plants her perspectives, inquiries and experiments in a life here and now.
Teachings
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Lama Michael Conklin
Lama Michael Conklin is the Root Teacher & Lineage Holder for Dekeling. An early American student of Kalu Rinpoche, a Tibetan master of meditation and long retreat, Michael was one of the founding members of Kagyu Droden Kunchab in San Francisco and participated in a three-year Shangpa retreat led by Lama Tsang Tsing from 1986-’89. Lama Michael Conklin served as Kagyu Changchub Chuling’s resident lama from 1993 until 2019.
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Associate Teacher George Draffan
George Draffan began studying Buddhism with Geshe Lhundhup Sopa at the University of Wisconsin in the 1970s. Since then he’s received instruction and participated in retreats with teachers in the Tibetan, Theravadin, and Zen Buddhist traditions. He has also practiced qigong for many years. His practice of embodied awareness has been deeply influenced by physical labor, mountain hiking, and the gentle therapy of Feldenkrais.
Meet with a Teacher
Anyone at any level of practice is welcome to schedule a meeting on occasion with a guiding teacher. Meetings can help a student get a good start, navigate challenging times, or talk about sensitive subjects. Over time, as the teacher gets to know the student, and vice versa, the practice advice can be adapted to the student’s individual needs and aims.
The meetings with teachers at Dekeling are free. As has traditionally been the case, our teachers receive a very modest stipend for their work.
New Students
All new students may schedule a meeting with Associate Teacher George Draffan. Meetings are 50 minutes long and conducted by Zoom. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Existing Students
All existing students may schedule an appointment with Associate Teacher George Draffan or Lama Lekshe. Meetings are 50 minutes long and conducted by Zoom.
Practice Materials
These materials are for use by individuals and small groups to help support and guide your practice. Included you will find links to:
Liturgy & prayer booklets
Retreat instructions
Beginning a practice
Glossary of Buddhist terminology
