Nyung-nä: Retreat for experienced practitioners

Nyung-nä (or “abiding in the fast”) is one of the favorite practices of Yeshin Norbu’s Spiritual Director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It is said that engaging in a Nyung-nä retreat is equivalent to doing up to three months of other kinds of retreats. The principal purpose of the practice is the attainment of enlightenment for the benefit of all living beings. 

As a retreat experience, this practice is very effective, but also physically demanding.  On set of Nyung-nä takes two days and a morning to complete. We start together on the evening of Friday the 10th of December and continue to the morning of the 13th of December. 

Doing one nyung-nä requires taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts (or vows) for two days. The precepts are taken for a 24-hour period during which we avoid: (1) killing, (2) stealing, (3) sexual activity, (4) telling lies, (5) taking intoxicants, (6) singing, dancing or playing music, (7) wearing jewelry or ornaments, and (8) using high seats or beds. 

On the first day of the Nyung-nä only one meal is eaten, which is finished by noon. The following foods are avoided as they interfere with subtle winds in the body and thus, mantra recitation: egg, onion, garlic, radish, meat, and alcohol. 

On the second day there is strict fasting. No food or drink is taken at all on this day. If you have medical conditions that do not allow you to fast, you can still participate in the Nyung-nä, but do not take the vows to refrain from eating food. So while you do not complete a traditional Nyung-nä, the practice is still highly beneficial.

During each day of the retreat, one does three sessions of well-structured practice, approximately three hours in length. In each session, there is the practice of the sadhana of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig (the sadhana from FPMT, which will be provided by Yeshin Norbu). The sadhana involves meditating on bodhicitta (the aspiration to attain enlightenment in order to benefit all beings), visualizing Chenrezig, reciting prayers and mantras, and performing prostrations. 

We keep silence outside of the sessions and disengage from all technology.

The retreat is held at the centre, and participants will sleep at the centre. Yeshin Norbu can provide mattresses for some of the participants, and some will need to bring their own. Please state in the registration form if you can bring your own mattress. Yeshin Norbu organizes the offerings for the altar.

The retreat is not included in the Mental Gym Card. 

Schedule

Arrival day: Friday, 10 December
16:30 – 17:30  Arrival and check-in
18:00 – 19:00  Dinner
19:00 – 20:30  Mandatory orientation session (review of retreat practice, logistics, schedule, etc.) 

Day 1: Saturday, 11 December
03:45 Wake up
04:15 – 07:45 Eight Mahayana Precepts and Session 1
08:45 – 11:15 Session 2
11:15 – 12:00 Lunch
15:00 – 18:00 Session 3       

Day 2: Sunday, 12 December (Day of silence and no eating or drinking)
03:45 Wake up
04:15 – 07:45 Eight Mahayana Precepts and Session 1
08:45 – 11:15 Session 2
15:00 – 18:00 Session 3

Final day: Monday, 13 December
03:45 Wake up
04:15-7:45 Final Session
8:00  Breakfast
9:00-10:00 Clean-up: All participants will need to fold and put away their beds and assist in cleaning the centre.

Requirements 

• You have a basic understanding of the Buddhist teachings and tantric practices. 
• You have formally, or in your heart, taken Refuge in the Three Jewels.
• Ideally it’s best if you have taken an empowerment (2-day wang) of Thousand-Armed Chenrezig.

Advice on preparations, fasting and prostrations

It can be helpful to begin cleaning up your diet as much as possible in the week prior to the Nyung-nä. You will sometimes hear of people not feeling physically well when they do this retreat. This is mostly due to the toxins that are eliminated from their system during this purification practice. The more we can get the toxins out of our system prior to the practice, the easier it will be. Essentially, it can be helpful to cut out an excess of animal products, junk food, sugar, caffeine, etc. 

Familiarizing the body with full-length prostrations prior to the Nyung-nä is a great help. Those participating in a Nyung-nä retreat are encouraged to do full-length prostrations within the sessions, so getting accustomed to doing them prior to the retreat is suggested. Simpler prostrations (either the five-point prostration or merely folding one’s hands) are certainly an option for those who are restricted from doing full prostrations due to health concerns.

The second day is the most difficult part of the retreat. We experience hunger, thirst and tiredness from doing prostrations. However, these discomforts can be seen in a different light with a compassionate motivation and an understanding of the purpose of this type of retreat; it is through experiencing hardships that one is able to purify a great deal of negative karma. Furthermore, it is said that by experiencing these discomforts, one can develop a better understanding of the suffering of those less fortunate than us and develop greater compassion for all sentient beings, and greater renunciation of samsara.

What to bring

• Towel and washcloth
• Mala (Buddhist prayer beads) preferably crystal or glass, not made of bones
• Dorje and bell (no need if you have not taken an empowerment)
• Mandala set (this can help with visualization, but is optional)
• Earplugs    
• Several sets of loose, layered clothing
• Personal toiletries (something to rub into sore muscles is helpful, or pain relievers without scent)
• If you bring offerings for the altar please check that they do not contain eggs, radish, onion, garlic or meat.
• A soft headband if you have long hair, helpful when doing prostrations
• Padded potholders or mittens to slide on when doing prostrations
• Bed linen, a pillow, and a blanket 
• Mattress – please state in the registration form if you can bring your own mattress. 

How can you contribute?

Sponsor the retreat: Nyung-nä is a very powerful practice so there is great power in the merit of supporting it financially. Supporting this spiritual practice – whether you are able to attend or not – is an opportunity to collect great merit. If you are sponsoring but not attending, you can offer prayers on that day for those attending.

Prepare and cook food for participants: There will be one dinner, one lunch and one breakfasts during the retreat. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing with this service, which is so crucial for the success of the retreat.

Practical information and how to register

Course dates: 10-13 December
Weekday: Friday-Monday (with overnight stay)

Time: 
Friday: From 16:30
Saturday and Sunday: The whole day
Monday: until 10:00 

Language: English 
Location: At the centre
Ticket price: Minimum donation for four days: 600 SEK (this includes food, accommodation, offerings, and donation to the teacher). This retreat is not included into the Mental Gym Card.
Last day of registration: 26 November
Registration/Buy ticket: You register for the retreat by filling out this form and by purchasing a ticket here on the website, see “Tickets” below.

The image of Chenrezig is by Digital Thangka.