Essential Skills for Yogis

Donations are appreciated for this event as the center is run entirely on donations and volunteers. 100% of donations return to the center to sponsor teachings, meditation, and community events.

Registration Link: https://www.gyalwagyatso.org/events/2025-10-22-ven-losang-gendun-skills/

Our senses, rather than offering a clear view of reality, often function more like a poorly written user manual—misleading us in how we relate to ourselves and others. In this context, the Sanskrit term bhāvanā might be better understood not simply as “meditation,” but as the cultivation of a wholesome vision of life—one nourished by reasoning and direct experience.

Yet the yogi’s path is not without its obstacles. Establishing a daily practice can feel daunting. Techniques aren't always one-size-fits-all. Classical texts may feel arcane and impenetrable. And the tendency to avoid, rather than work with, personal challenges often leads to frustration or disappointment.

This evening gathering offers practical tools and insights to support both new and seasoned practitioners. Through teaching, guided practice, and generous time for Q&A, we will explore essential skills for yogis in today’s world.


Venerable Losang Gendun has dedicated nearly four decades to practicing Buddhism and has served as a Bhikshu in the Tibetan tradition for the past 19 years. Prior to his ordination, he worked in diverse fields such as palliative care, technology, refugee organizations, and management. His extensive training includes ten years of studying Buddhist philosophy and practice in monasteries across France, India, Nepal, and Myanmar. Additionally, he spent over four years in retreat, immersing himself in Tibetan sutra and tantra, as well as the Burmese Theravada Forest Tradition.

For the last 15 years, Ven. Gendun has taught worldwide, sharing his knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and meditation. He serves the aspirations of H.H. the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche as part of the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition). Ven. Gendun is furthermore a member of Mind & Life Europe, a multidisciplinary laboratory that brings together researchers and contemplative practitioners to explore the nature of experience.

Beyond his Buddhist affiliations, Ven. Gendun serves as an interreligious canon at the Peace Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, and collaborates with a Mevlavi Sufi dargah in Istanbul. In 2023, he founded The Buddha Project, which engages in long-term guidance for Buddhist meditators, scientific research, art projects, and intercontemplative social engagement.