City Weekend: Authentic Illumination - Ven. Amy Miller

Lama Tsong Khapa Guru Yoga as a Path to Deepening our Wisdom and Compassion 

With Ven. Amy Miller

Compassion isn’t something we simply aspire to — it’s a state we can actively cultivate through practice. This weekend retreat invites practitioners into a powerful exploration of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga as a direct method for awakening compassion, clarity, and inner strength.

Across the weekend, we’ll unpack the meaning and purpose behind deity practice—why we visualize enlightened beings, why mantra shapes the mind, and how these methods open the heart. Through guided sessions, discussion, and integrated meditation, participants will learn how Guru Yoga becomes the unifying thread: a practice that connects us to wisdom, dissolves obstacles, and brings the vast qualities of enlightenment into our own experience.

Together, we’ll build a clear and practical structure for practicing Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, understanding how it supports daily life and deepens our capacity to meet the world with kindness. Perfect for intermediate practitioners looking to strengthen their foundation and re-energize their path, this retreat offers a grounded yet inspiring approach to transforming the mind from the inside out. We hear about deity practice in the Buddhist system, but what is the significance? How do visualizations and mantra recitation of the Buddha, Tara, Vajrasattva, or other aspects of the enlightened mind support our lives, and what is the role of guru yoga? This program will thoroughly explore these practices and give practitioners a clear structure and understanding of how to put it all together for the greatest benefit — both in cultivating compassion and deepening wisdom. Intermediate level.

Your teacher

Venerable Amy Miller is a beloved spiritual teacher, practitioner and Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition. She has dedicated her life to sharing the profound teachings of Buddhism with the world. With her gentle presence, insightful wisdom and compassionate heart, she has touched the lives of many around the world, inspiring them to find inner peace and help transform their minds. 

For more information about Ven. Amy Miller, click here.

Practical information

• Dates and times: 

  • Friday May 22: 19.00 – 20.30 hrs (online)

  • Saturday May 23: 10.00 – 16.00 hrs

  • Sunday May 24: 10.00 – 16.00 hrs

• Location: both at our center in Amsterdam and via Zoom.
• Language: English 
• Study materials & recordings: The classes will be recorded (audio and video) and provided to you as well as the study materials
• Registration: You can register for the whole weekend 
• Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary Zoomlink and materials in time to join the class.

Donation

Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.

The suggested donation for this weekend is €85. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €60. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.