The aim of this retreat is to co-support practitioners in gaining confidence and experience on their path to actualising Kurukullā as a yidam. There will be shared discussions and Q&A’s in an open and inclusive way to provide a safe space to strengthen our individual practice.

Güzin will be presenting Kurukullā’s iconography and historical roots to contextualise her practice, provide information on the root Tantra and its main lineages and provide a detailed commentary on the stages of the sādhana practice. An overview of Tantric classifications and Mother Tantras in particular that emphasise the cultivation of knowledge (Skt. prajñā; Tib. shes rab) and wisdom (Skt. jñāna; Tib. ye shes) inseparable from compassion will be supported with exercises involving working with destructive emotions (Skt. kleśa; Tib. nyon mongs) to support the basis of sādhana meditation.

We want this course to stand alone and be open to all who would like to make a connection with this special deity, if you do have the required initiations you can make this 3 day introduction the basis to continue onto the 11 day nearing retreat.

In this retreat Güzin will be giving the lung of the sādhana practice she received from Thomtok Rinpoche, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery. It is a standard short Gelug practice text from Panchen Lama Tenpai Nyima’s Sādhana Mala/Sung Bum, in the same lineage Lama Zopa Rinpoche and most other Gelug Lamas share.

During the weekend the Meditation on Kurukullā text – kindly composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, will be the basis of the practice & visualisations. The lung will also be given for this sādhana.

Giving the lung creates a special, auspicious connection (Tib. rten’ brel) with the deity and its lineage to receive the blessings and in this instance carries no commitment/samaya bond with the teacher.

Güzin is a psychotherapist and a fully ordained sngags ma in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. She worked as a psychotherapist and mental healthcare expert in Turkey, India, Egypt, and the UK, collaborating with government
and NGO projects.

Living in different regions of India for more than a decade, Güzin’s interest deepened in the experiential aspects of Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist yogic traditions and their philosophical and ritual practices. After attending a Tibetan Translator Training programme in Dharamsala, Güzin collaborated on translation projects with Dr Alexander Berzin, becoming a translator for the Turkish section of his online Buddhist archives. She continued to live in Dharamsala, HP, India, and then in Bir, HP, where she concentrated on studying Tibetan Buddhist meditation and ritual.

Having stayed and received training in a Gelug nunnery, she received teachings and studied under Gelug lineage masters such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kirti Tsenshap Rinpoche, Jhado Rinpoche, and Thomthok Rinpoche, as well as with Denma Locho Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and Khandro la (Rangjung Neljorma Khadro Namsel Drönme).

She had the fortunate circumstances to receive instructions and empowerments from different lineage masters in a true rimé (Tib. ris med) background and also studied further under the guidance of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche whom
she received robes, vows and commitments; and with Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Neten Chökling Rinpoche, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Lama Gödi whom she also received robes, vows and commitments,
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, His Holiness Karmapa and His Holiness Sakya Trizin, focusing primarily on Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.

In 2014-2015 Güzin pursued an MSt degree in Oriental Studies (Tibetan Studies) at the University of Oxford, focusing on the early historical roots of the Tibetan State Oracle tradition and its protector deity Pehar. She is
currently reading for her DPhil in Tibetan Buddhism (Theology and Religion) at the Lady Margaret Hall, concentrating on the ritual practices of the Buddhist Tantric female deities Lotus Dakini and Kurukullā associated with transforming desire, enchantment, and subjugation practices also known as magnetising.

Güzin leads a weekly university-wide session on the methods of Mindfulness and Tibetan Buddhist meditation at the Lady Margaret Hall at Oxford University.

A full list of Güzin’s psychotherapy training and qualifications and a complete list of the Tibetan Buddhist Lamas and lineage holders from whom she received training and Samaya can be shared upon request.