Santi Maha Sangha instruction was created by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu many years ago in response to requests from students to have a standardized instruction on Dzogchen teaching and practice.  You can take exams from Introductory to Level 5 if you wish.  Rinpoche stresses that at the beginning there is more instruction than practice, but as you continue there is less instruction and more practice.  It is by no means obligatory, but many people enjoy studying this way and it is a great way to get expert instruction on primary Dzogchen practices.

Jim describes the retreat this way:

"We will emphasize instructions & practice to understand & enter Dzogchen Transmission.  Our SMS retreat will be based upon the essence of the theory & practice of Sutra, Tantra & Dzogchen as presented by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu in his text 'The Precious Vase'.  Interested practitioners are encouraged to participate in any or all sessions."

There is a text for the teaching entitled:  The Precious Vase. The new edition is now available from Shang Shung Institute. For more information on how to obtain it please contact Matthew Simpson (dorjeshonnu@gmail.com) or Andy Wai (see below).

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu:

The Precious Vase - Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Sangha
This book is the new Base text of the Santi Maha Sangha. Expanded  on
notes and quotations, it is the essential text for the study and 
practice of the Base Level of Santi Maha Sangha training. It also 
contains the updated list of practices required for the Base Level 
examination.

Jim Valby is one of Rinpoche's main instructors and he teaches all over the world.  Jim is also a Ph.D. Scholar of Tibetan language and texts.  He works on these and teaches full-time and the Dzogchen Community supports him in this work.  Consequently there will be a fee for the teaching (to be announced shortly).  We try to keep it low to make it manageable for people.  If you cannot afford the full amount we will work out something agreeable with you.

Jim Valby is a very popular teacher and we are fortunate to have him come back and teach in Toronto for the second time.  He is not only extremely learned, but also delightfully funny and he makes the teaching and practice very accessible.  Not to be missed!

Below you can see the schedule for the Retreat.  It is worked out so that you can continue to work as usual on weekdays.  At some point during the retreat we will do something fun and interesting with Jim.