How to Begin 
the Path of Liberation

Take the first step to receive Mingyur Rinpoche’s core training program in the essence of buddhadharma and the nature of mind

What Is the Path of Liberation?

The Path of Liberation is an experiential path of meditation for those who wish to practice Buddhist teachings under the guidance of Mingyur Rinpoche. Encompassing the most important practices of Tibetan Buddhism, and building on the foundational teachings of the Joy of Living, the Path of Liberation presents a series of meditation techniques from the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions designed to strip away the causes of suffering and uncover the radiant awareness that underlies all experience.
The Path of Liberation is laid out in five levels. These levels are offered by Mingyur Rinpoche in retreats throughout the year, supported by companion courses in Vajrayana Online.

2026 Path of Liberation Level 1 Online Retreat

July 24–26
This will be the only Path of Liberation Level 1 Rinpoche will offer online this year.

A joyful group at the end of the Path of Liberation Levels 1 & 2 retreat in Mexico, June 2025 (Photo by Maya Sepulchre)

2026 Path of Liberation Levels 1 & 2 In-Person Retreats with Mingyur Rinpoche

France: July 10–15 (Register here →)
USA: July 24–29 (Register here →)
Brazil: July 24–29 with Khenpo Kunga (Register here →)
Australia: August 31–September 4 (Register here →)
Hong Kong: June 16–20 (Register here →)
Taiwan: June 27–30 (Learn more →)
Singapore: October 15–18 (Learn more →)
Malaysia: November 10–13 (Learn more →)
This summer, join Mingyur Rinpoche in person for the Path of Liberation Levels 1 & 2. This program represents the heart of Mingyur Rinpoche’s Path of Liberation training, offering direct, experiential guidance on the nature of mind through what are traditionally called “pointing out instructions.” These teachings and practices are profoundly transformative, putting you in touch with your innate buddha nature.
As the precious pointing-out instruction for Level 2 is given only in person, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, whether you are receiving these teachings for the first time or deepening your nature of mind practice.
In addition to guiding us in recognizing the nature of mind, Rinpoche will offer a refuge ceremony for those who wish to formally take refuge, as well as teachings on traditional ngöndro practices. As a special highlight this year, participants will also receive a rare teaching on one of Milarepa’s songs of realization.
Finally, Rinpoche will bestow the White Tara “empowerment” — a ceremony that introduces participants to the enlightened qualities embodied by White Tara, including awareness, love and compassion, and wisdom, so they can begin to see these qualities in themselves. This empowerment connects participants to her blessings and serves as a seed for future practice within the Path of Liberation.
Please note that if you attend Path of Liberation Levels 1 & 2 this year, you will fulfill the prerequisite to join the retreats and courses within a special set of Dzogchen teachings that Mingyur Rinpoche will offer us from his personal lineage in 2026–27. This will be the first time Rinpoche will offer these restricted teachings publicly.
REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites to Begin the Path of Liberation

The requirements for participation were set in consultation with Mingyur Rinpoche. In turn, we ask that you honor them. Thank you!  
To participate, you only need to meet one of the following:

Option 1

To have attended all three Joy of Living levels — Calming the Mind (Level 1), Opening the Heart (Level 2), and Awakening Wisdom (Level 3) — and completed the associated practice requirements

Option 2

To have completed the full preliminary practices (the 4 x 100,000 ngöndro)

Option 3

To have had a daily meditation practice for at least five years and attended either group or solitary practice retreats for a total of at least thirty days, with 6+ hours of formal meditation practice per day, under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher
THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Learn More About the Path of Liberation

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Mingyur Rinpoche on the Essence of the Path of Liberation

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Introduction to the Path of Liberation 2025 Webinar Recording

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The Significance of Pointing Out Instructions on the Path of Liberation

Timeless Wisdom

A journey from the first steps of the Buddhist path to more advanced stages of Vajrayana practice

Courses

Webinars

Guided
meditations
In the Path of Liberation, all the teachings are given step by step. There are five levels, all of which explore the unity of awareness, love and compassion, and wisdom, which is within you and is what we call the “nature of mind.” By doing that, if you really practice again and again, then it becomes a deeper spiritual journey. And in the end, it can lead you to full enlightenment.

— Mingyur Rinpoche

Photo by Matthieu Ricard

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