The Five Wisdoms of Tantric Buddhism
This course explores the Five Wisdoms of Tantric Buddhism. Each wisdom—mental clarity, resourcefulness, emotional intelligence, effective action, and spaciousness—unveils a unique facet of human consciousness and experience.
The course covers topics such as ego development, emotional intelligence, and the mandala principle. Participants delve into the energetic dimensions of experience, learning to identify and work with personal energy patterns. They engage in various practices including meditation, somatic exercises, and expressive arts.
By the end, participants should have a deeper understanding of themselves and the interconnectedness of all things through the lens of the Five Wisdoms.
This course is designed for individuals who:
• Seek a deeper understanding of themselves through the Five Wisdoms system
• Want to understand Tantric Buddhism in an accessible way
• Desire to foster personal growth and transformative experiences
• Gain spiritual development through embodied practices
• Take skillful action in daily situations
Invoking the Five Wisdoms practice: Tuning into each energy.
How We Get Stuck and How We Shine
Our Mix of Colors Exercise
Five Wisdoms Institute Founder, Director and Principle Trainer
Irini Rockwell, MA is a distinguished author and internationally acclaimed teacher of the Five Wisdoms. With a background in Buddhism, psychotherapy, and dance, she has dedicated over four decades to exploring the essence of who we are. Irini's pioneering work in the field of human development deftly bridges the gap between esoteric teachings and practical application in contemporary Western contexts. As the founder and director of the Five Wisdoms Institute, Irini has guided countless individuals through transformative workshops, retreats, and trainings around the world. Her books, The Five Wisdom Energies, Natural Brilliance, and Unfolding the Mystery of Your Life on the Five Wisdoms Path have inspired readers to discover their inherent wisdom and live more vibrant, meaningful lives.
My Story
One summer day in 1976, I was sitting in a friend’s apartment in Boulder, CO, where we were both assistant teaching at Naropa Institute [now University], a school that focuses on training in the arts, Buddhism, and contemplative psychotherapy. I was reading "Cutting through Spiritual Materialism," written by Naropa’s founder, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa. The following passage caught my eye: “In the Tantric tradition energy is categorized in five basic qualities or Buddha Families: Vajra, Ratna, Padma, Karma and Buddha. Each Buddha family has an emotion associated with it which is transmuted into a particular ‘wisdom’ or aspect of the awakened state of mind. The Buddha families are also associated with colors, elements, landscapes, directions, seasons, with any aspect of the phenomenal world.”
Reading those words changed my life. It led me to a contemplative tradition with an understanding of energy at its core. My immediate connection came from my passion for exploring the dynamic qualities of expressive movement as a dancer and choreographer. I explored human emotions—the heat of love, the strength of anger, the stiffness of pride, the sparkle of joy. So I instinctively knew about the energies of which he wrote. My awareness of these energies began to color my perspective in many aspects of my life, particularly my relationships with people. Why was it that one man brought out my intellectual curiosity and another my physical desire? Why did I feel at ease with one person and anxious with another? Why would I feel powerful in one situation but inhibited and frustrated in another? What was the energetic relationship between myself, these people, and these situations?
Almost 50 years later, I am still at it!
Discover where you shine and where you get stuck with our FREE Five Wisdoms Quiz. The results will offer you a guide or roadmap for self-discovery & being in the world.
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The Five Wisdoms Institute offers trainings internationally.
Inspired by Naropa University, Contemplative Psychotherapy, and Authentic Leadership,
our trainings are proven to enhance self-awareness, communication, and effectiveness.