This “Retreat in a Box” includes everything you need for your own retreat, or to listen to for educational purposes, and is available in three different packages. In this 10-part program, Tina explores with us the question: “What is awakening?” Awakening is the inspiration for many on the spiritual journey, but we may be unclear about what it is, how it happens, and what we can commonly encounter. An overview of how awakening is understood...

This year-long mentoring program includes all of the multi-media materials you need for the program (audios and videos), plus one-on-one mentoring sessions with Tina. The Individual Mentoring Program is for people who have a deep interest and commitment to their own unfoldment as they experience it in their worldly lives. It is a version of the year-long Group Mentoring Program, which Tina offered three times previously, and is now customized...

In this daylong retreat, Tina gives an overview of the “Open Monitoring” category of meditation, in particular the Vipassana practice as it is taught in Theravadan and Tibetan Buddhism. Vipassana is also known as Insight Meditation, and utilizes our capacity to investigate, to more deeply understand phenomena so that we can develop equanimity in being with things as they are. Investigating our experience can also potentially lead to perceiving...

In this 41-minute talk, Tina shares her experience and understanding of the “Dimensions of Non-duality” as found in the “Immaterial Realms” of Buddhism as compared with the “Boundless Dimensions” of the Diamond Approach. This talk was given to a group of spiritual teachers from all traditions. Tina’s unique background, that includes deep spiritual practice and experiences in several traditions, gives her a very rare perspective on how one...

This “Retreat in a Box” includes everything you need for your own retreat and is available in four different packages. The Luminous Mind retreat is set in the larger context of awakening. The first few days include the overall “view” of enlightenment, and the basis of Bodhicitta (a wish for awakening for oneself and all beings) in the heart for a full practice and larger intention for practice. The next several days of the retreat focus on the...

This “Retreat-in-a-Box” includes three shorter offerings on the Samatha Meditation Practice. You can use these to do your own at-home daylong or weekend retreat, following along with the audience as the event progresses. The Dharma Talk and Daylong were recorded at an event by Stillpoint PDX in Portland, Oregon, and the Weekend Retreat was recorded at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. Click here for a free 4-minute video of...

This “Retreat-in-a-Box” includes recordings of a 1-week retreat that Tina  taught on the Bramaviharas/ Heart-based Meditation Practices. In this retreat, Tina teaches the “Heart Practices” category of meditation. The Bramaviharas are the “divine abodes of the heart,” found in both Theravadan and Tibetan Buddhism. These include: metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (empathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity). She also includes the...

Individual Year-Long Mentoring Program The Individual Year-Long Mentoring Program is for people who have a deep interest and commitment to their own unfoldment as they experience it in their worldly lives. It is helpful for people who are sincerely interested in the deeper questions of life in engaging “the mystery” as householders. The Mentoring Program has an emphasis on the broader Buddhist / spiritual path including a full spectrum of...

In this grounded and compassionate conversation, Dr. Tina Rasmussen reflects with with Dr. Christopher Wallis on the nature of awakening in the midst of difficulty — personal, collective, and existential. Speaking from decades of lived inquiry and realization, she points toward a freedom that does not depend on circumstances being resolved, but emerges through honesty, deep presence, and allowing in relation to one’s own experience. Tina...

Tina discusses compatibility issues between neo-Advaita and Buddhism, generational conceptions of practice; from Boomers to Millennials, the need to evolve our understanding and ways of thinking about and describing awakening/enlightenment, the phases and stages of a practising life, roadblocks, hurdles, maturation; limitations, critiquing the language we use to talk about self, ego, awakening, the way belief shapes practice, perception, and...

  Tina has now published 6 video workshops on the Innercraft Platform, which have been received with glowing reviews. People are finding the quality very high, and the content phenomenal. As of June 2023, the workshops she has developed that are now on the Innercraft site include: What is Awakening?–Parts 1 and 2 The Heart Practices:  Bodhicitta and the Bramaviharas Focused Attention: Samatha Practice Open Monitoriing:  Vipassana...

Tina has recently been interviewed by TIME Magazine Executive Editor Naina Bajekal for a feature article regarding meditation and the jhanas. According to the World Economic Forum, TIME has one of the largest readerships in the world, at 26 million globally and 20 million in the US. Tina is quoted and referenced several times in the article. Unfortunately, the article describes what is actually access concentration, and presents it as jhana....

Host Michael Taft talks with dharma teacher and author Tina Rasmussen about ways to understand nondual awareness and the progress of nondual meditation, including her own unique comparison between the Formless Realms of early Buddhist meditation and the Boundless Dimensions taught by Hameed Ali (aka AH Almaas) of the Diamond Approach. Listen here

In 2021, Tina was been invited to be one of five founding teachers to a new, online platform designed for intermediate to advanced spiritual practitioners. She felt honored to be their first teacher signed to this new platform. The past six months have been filled with preparation for the platform’s launch. Tina has met the other two current founding teachers (one from the Zen tradition and one from the Sufi tradition), and has great respect...

Tina is interviewed by Ryan Burton of “After Awakening.” This is Tina’s best interview covering aspects of awakening. Ryan has studied with Tina for many years, so they have a lot of fun! You can listen to the audio interview or read the transcript on Ryan’s website. Also available on Spotify.

In this video, Tina gives concise overview instructions and guidance on how to begin meditating, suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike. She talks about general guidelines that apply to every type of meditation. Then she gives an overview of the 4 practice categories being studied in neuroscience, which are also reflected in the Buddhist tradion. Then she gives instructions on how to practice each type of meditation, with a...

In this interview, Tina talks to “Guru Viking” (Steve James) about her life-defining quest for enlightenment, undertaking a 1-year solo retreat, awakening, jhāna practice, and the integration of awakening into ordinary life.

Tina was recently interviewed by “Buddha at the Gas Pump”, a site that enables people to relate and share their experiences of spiritual awakening. The video has had more than 10,000 views.

Tina’s interview on the “Meaning of Life” website is now available. Tina’s interview is titled “The Meaning of Life:  Awakening to our True Nature.” The site features interviews with leaders from all fields and walks of life, about their view of the meaning of life. View the page here: https://excellencereporter.com/2018/05/18/tina-rasmussen-the-meaning-of-life-awakening-to-our-true-nature/

“Transformation and Transcendence” Conscious TV recently interviewed both Stephen and Tina, and has now published the interview with Stephen and announced it to their viewership, and will also be broadcasting it in several countries. It was filmed a few weeks ago while they were teaching in London. Some of you may know the program, in which spiritual teachers such as A.H. Almaas, Adyashanti, Reggie Ray, Mantak Chia, Sandra Maitri,...

Conscious TV’s interview of Tina, “Living the Enlightenment Drive,” is now available and includes the 55 minute interview, a 40 minute segment discussion with Tina, Stephen and the hosts Iain and Renate, and a 7 minute guided meditation at the end. This program is broadcast on the internet, and in many countries worldwide. Conscious TV features select spiritual teachers around the world. Here’s the hotlink:...

It is easy in these times to feel overwhelmed by the media’s skewed focus on sensationalized, negative news stories that capture our attention. However, the facts (as studied by historians and other impartial experts) show that we are living overall in the most peaceful, prosperous and progressive era in human history, for people across the planet. Check out economis Max Roser’s www.ourlworldindata.org (the visual histories on the...

We taught our third retreat in Italy, a 2-week retreat, in March 2018. In London, we taught our first UK event, a daylong on March 17, 2018. Our Europe events have drawn people from many countries in Europe and beyond. Our 1-week retreat in 2016 included 35 retreatants from 11 countries, including Italy, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden, and other European retreats have...

Practice as a Balm in Stressful Times Question from a student: Recently, I have begun a very emotionally stressful period in my life.  I have been called to my meditation practice more often to try and quiet my mind. I have often in the past turned to my practice in times of stress for clarity, guidance and divine connection. During a couple of my sittings intense emotions have bubbled up mostly in the form of sadness and crying. I think my...

In this article, Dr. Judson Brewer (former director of the Yale Neuroscience Clinic, and current director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness at U-Mass) and his associates summarize the research for which Tina was one of the meditation subjects, as an advanced meditator. The study focuses on the activation and deactivation of the posterior cingulate cortex center (PCC) of the brain through concentration meditation. The PCC is thought by...

Practicing the Jhanas is now available in Korean and Italian, as well as English. We appreciate the beauty of the Korean cover, shown here.

Awakening Buddhist Women featured Tina in their Dec. 14 blog. The post is an overview of an article on Tina in Nonduality Magazine. To read the blog post, or view the Awakening Buddhist Women website, click here.

This 1-week retreat included 35 retreatants from 11 countries, including Italy of course, as well as Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Sweden. Many thanks to the organizers, Andrea S. and Andrea M. as well as our translator, Victoria. (photo is of part of the group) Here is a hotlink to learn more about this retreat: http://www.jhanaretreat.com/index-en.html.  

As part of our teaching in Italy in August 2015, an Italian newspaper ran the following interview of us about meditation and its benefits. Italian Newspaper article interview on meditation. We later recorded this 6-minute audio transcript of the article, at this hotlink on Dharma Seed. Audio Transcript of Italian Newspaper Article. This is a great introduction to meditation, available in an abbreviated format.

Tina now has a virtual sitting group on the Insight Timer! The Insight Timer is a great app for timing your meditations. You can select the time you want, and choose from several beautiful meditation bells that will ring at the time(s) you set. Best of all, you can see who you are meditating with from around the world! The basic version of the app is free, and there is a small fee for the full app. Tina’s group is called the...

We are pleased to announce Heather Young as Teacher-in-Training for Awakening Dharma.  Heather’s enthusiasm for the samatha practice is evident and contagious! Heather is in the process of completing her doctoral dissertation which focuses on the anapanasati practice as taught through Awakening Dharma, in the lineage of Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. Heather has been on the spiritual path since her teens, and has been attending retreats mainly in...

We held our first month-long (27-day) retreat from Sept. 6-Oct. 3,2014, at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center in Castle Rock, Washington. We had 37 participants from 8 countries around the world. It was a deep and profound experience, for us as well as the yogis who attended. One of our criteria was that all accommodations would be singles, which worked out well for the participants. We have decided to offer another month-long retreat in...

Our first European retreat was be held at the Lama Tsong Kapa Institute, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Center in Europe, Sept. 21-29, 2013, thanks to the sponsorship of Dr. Andrea Serafino. Yogis from 11 different countries attended the retreat. Here is a hotlink to a 2-minute video summary of the retreat. http://youtu.be/NREuDy3vT-U We are considering offering future retreats in Italy. If you are interested in our future European events, please...

We were delighted to be invited to the International Vipassana Teachers Conference in June 2013, along with about 90 other Buddhist Teachers from around the world.  We appreciated being with such a dedicated group of teachers and practitioners. Much of the agenda focused on issues of engaged Buddhism, such as diversity and inclusion, and climate change.

Introduction to Concentration Meditation Daylong (taught by Tina and Brian), Sunday, July 21, 2013 in Spokane, WA, USA. FREE registration is available online at www.concentrationmeditation.eventbite.com, by emailing spokanehjana@me.com or by calling Brian Gavin at 509 263 7213. Offerred on a dana basis.

Dr. Jusdon Brewer,  head of the Yale Neuroscience Lab, invited us to teach a daylong to his sangha at Yale University Chapel in April 2014. It was a treat to teach in a space with such an esteemed history of contemplation. While we were there he invited us to participate in a study of advanced meditators. Here is a photo of Tina with her EEG “swim cap” on, during the testing. A summary of the research can be found on our...

We have been invited by Dr. Judson Brewer, who is head of the Yale University School of Medicine Neuroscience Lab and also a Buddhist practitioner and sangha leader. Dr. Brewer is interested in studying the samatha practice as part of his research at Yale, and invited us to give a daylong for his sangha and others who want to attend, at the Yale Chapel, in New Haven, Connecticut. Please click here for information and to register.

We currently have one practice group in session. Brian Gavin, who is now authorized to give dharma talks and teach daylongs, leads a monthly Spokane practice group in Spokane, Washington, the first and third Sunday of every month from 10-11:30am. Please click this hotlink to see the website  http://www.meetup.com/Spokane-Concentration-Meditation-Group/ . Previously, Sister Phap Chan, our Director of Special Projects, led two practice groups in...

Tina Rasmussen Co-Guiding Teacher Tina’s inspiration for her life and teaching is to express and embody the mystery of Being, while living a worldly life—and to help others do the same. Students describe her as warm and supportive, with a bright clarity in communication. Tina learned to meditate in 1976, at age 13. In 2003, after many years of deep practice in Buddhist and modern non-dual traditions, she was drawn to undertake an intensive...

Our first website served us well for 4 years, and amazingly was visited 50,639 times by people from 40 countries, with 30,779 unique site visitors . In October 2012 we launched this new website. We hope you find it easy to use and beautiful. We are so grateful that the internet has allowed us to connect with all of you, no matter where you are. Welcome to all!

general overview of the types of talks you do, what they’re about, where you offer them, etc. with links to various pages within site. general overview of the types of talks you do, what they’re about, where you offer them, etc. with links to various pages within site. general overview of the types of talks you do, what they’re about, where you offer them, etc. with links to various pages within site. general overview of the...

Tina has released a 4-minute video summarizing the tremendous benefits of committing to the Samatha (concentration and serenity) practice. The benefits are both practical, and can lead to significant experiences of our deeper nature. Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

Our book is now available on e-readers! The e-reader version is sold at a reduced cost, on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and Google. Our book Practicing the Jhanas (published by Shambhala Publications) is available in major bookstores and most internet booksellers. To order, please see our Books page. Our original book, Jhanas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends, was purchased by people in 31 countries on six continents in a two year period....

We are pleased to announce our first Teacher-in-Training, Brian Gavin. Brian is now authorized to give dharma talks, and will be learning how to lead daylongs soon. Brian shares his own experience of the territory from “first sit to first jhana” in a clear way that people find both interesting and inspiring. He is very dedicated to this practice, is a great yogi, and has been with us on all of our long retreats to date. For more...

This seminal book is now available at cost for purchase on Amazon.com, thanks to two yogis in our sangha–Ted Weinstein and Michael Nagy. The book is beautiful, and is so much easier to read and use than the download version. It sells for cost at $15.99, with any small proceeds donated to Pa Auk Monastery. Click here to order: http://amzn.to/knowingseeing or for a description visit our Books page. Knowing & Seeing (4th Edition)...