Erik’s Teachers
Lama Tsultrim Allione
Lama Tsultrim Allione was the first American to be ordained as a nun by H.H. The 16th Karmapa in the 70s. Now a mother, bestselling author, and highly respected Lama in the Nyingma tradition, Lama Tsultrim is an inspiration to practitioners worldwide. Since meeting her at age 14, Erik has been a devoted student of Lama Tsultrim Allione, having spent many summers by her side at Tara Mandala Retreat Center. Lama Tsultrim was formally recognized as an emanation of the Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and has devoted her life to the recollection of Machig's lineage. www.taramandala.org
Tulku Sang-Ngag Rinpoche
Tulku Sang-Ngag Rinpoche, the Sixth Gochen Tulku, was a close disciple of both Pegyal Lingpa and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The son of an esteemed Ngakpa and Tibetan Doctor, Rinpoche received unparalleled training in many aspects of Tibetan ritual culture. Following the Chinese invasion of Tibet, he spent 10 years in prison with a number of high Lamas from whom he secretly received teachings. www.ewam.org
Dr. Nida Chenagtsang
Dr. Nida Chenagtsang was born into a Ngakpa family in Amdo, Tibet, and completed his medical training at the Lhasa Tibetan Medical University. He is the co-founder of Sorig Khang International, a global network devoted to the propagation of Tibetan Medicine and the yogic traditions of Tibet in over 40 countries worldwide. Erik has received precious instructions on Yuthok Nyingthik, Mantra Healing, Nejang Healing Yoga, and Spiritual Healing from Dr. Nida, and is an authorized teacher in his community. www.sorig.net
Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo
Dr. Phuntsog received her advanced degree from Lhasa University School of Traditional Medicine and trained with Khenpo Troru Tsenam and Khenpo Gyaltsen, two of the foremost masters of the past century. As a close student of her uncle Chögyal Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche, she is not only a master physician but an esteemed Dzogchen yogini. Erik received complete training in the entire Four Tantras of Tibetan Medicine from Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, as well as practical training and ongoing guidance in diagnostics and external therapies. www.shangshung.org
Khenpo Urgyen Wangchuk
Khenpo Urgyen Wangchuk is one of the foremost Bhutanese ritual arts masters, having received his Khenpo (Ph.D.) degree in 2006. Since 2009, Erik has been trained extensively in Tibetan ritual arts by Khenpo Urgyen, particularly in the roles of umdze (chant/tantric orchestra leader) and chöpon (ritual activity master), as well as training in various traditional instruments, cham (ritual dance), torma construction, and other aspects of Vajrayana ritual arts. He has generously offered extensive training in the science of Drupchen, the most extensive and complex ritual in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, which Erik now leads as head umdze. www.ewamkusumling.org
Drubpön Lama Karma
Venerable retreat master (drubpön) Lama Karma is from eastern Bhutan, and has spent over 16 years in strict meditation retreats. A heart student of Terton Pedgyal Lingpa Rinpoche, Lama Karma Jnana served as the scribe for the entirety of Pedgyal Lingpa’s Kusum Gongdü treasure cycle. He was a heart son of Lama Naljorpa, a great Dzogchen and Mahamudra yogi from whom he received extensive instructions including the Rinchen Trengwa tradition of Rangjung Dorje and Karma Chagmé. Erik has received extensive instructions on the Rinchen Trengwa Chöd cycle from Lama Karma, and has been entrusted as umdze (chant leader) for the practice at Tara Mandala.