Recently Lenka Tchernobay kindly shared these pictures from the Moscow retreat led by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1994. Although the prints are in black and white and not as sharp as we are used to today with modern technology, they capture the inspired atmosphere as Chögyal Namkhai Norbu led his students in the Dance of the Vajra.

Here is an excerpt from the report written in the Mirror by the Moscow Dzogchen Community:

“In the 2 years that have passed since the first visit of the Master, Dzogchen Communities have been organised in Moscow, St Petersburg, Vilnius, Minsk, Ulan Ude and other places. On May 27th 1994 the retreat started with about 600 people from various parts of Russia, the Ukraine, Belorussia, the Baltic republics, west Europe and the USA.

The programme was very rich with events in which the students participated with awareness and sincere interest. Besides the Teaching given by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, there were courses of Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance, as well as collective practices. For more than half the students this retreat was their first meeting with the Teacher. Special training was organised by the more advanced disciples who had already acquired some experience of Dzogchen practice.

At the beginning of the retreat Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche said that he had already seen this place in his dreams in the 1970’s when he began to give teachings in public.

Everyone was very happy when quite unexpectedly the Teacher himself together with older students performed the Dance of the Vajra.

The retreat will stay forever in the memory of all those who participated. Feeling deep gratitude to our Teacher, we look forward to our next meeting with him.”