At some point in our human lives, we turn toward the transpersonal or “spiritual” questions of life.


What is real? What is true? What happens when we die? 


Why do we suffer? And...can we stop it? 

You Are Not Alone

A young monk named Shari Putra once asked the same questions, 2500 years ago. His Teacher's answer summarized the essence of Buddhist Wisdom. What we now know as the Heart Sutra.

This renowned text outlines a clear path, with specific markers, for ending suffering and awakening to peace, clarity & limitless wisdom. Yet without word-by-word commentary, it's difficult to understand. 


"Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form."

What does it mean? Sounds more like a psychedelic trip than a user-manual for navigating reality. 


For centuries, oral instructions on the meaning and practices of the Heart Sutra have been passed from India, to Tibet, to the west, to Kimberley, and now they're offered to you.  



Join Us

Click here to enroll. Or see pricing options below.

What's This All About?

Event Details & Information

This event was recorded May 3rd - 5th, 2024. It consists of five 2-hr study & practice sessions with long integration breaks between so that participants can create a 3-day retreat for themselves as able.

  • Recordings

    Upon purchase, you receive video recordings of all 5 sessions plus audio only files if preferred. You will revisit this material often to deepen your practice at your pace.

  • Course Notes

    Study notes have been donated by senior students to support exploration of these advanced concepts and practices, and to track Tibetan where applicable.

We'll Explore

  • Traditional and pragmatic explanations of what the Heart Sutra means & how understanding and applying it leads to the pinnacle of spiritual evolution.

  • Necessary activities at each step or "waypoint" on the path of realization & how to find yourself on the map, so that you practice what you need when you need it.

  • Places that people get stuck on the path & advices for moving through so that you don't give up on the quest (or fall of the mountain).

“If you know on some deep level that so much more is possible for all of us and that love and wisdom can really lead our lives/be our bedrock, study with Kimberley.”

Lindsey Dorr-Niro, Artist & Art Professor

“Kimberley offers precious teachings woven in with modern day psychology. It's the bridging of these two lineages that makes her special. How to be enlightened and not bypass the body, in a single lifetime, for the benefit of all beings. Holy sh*t! What a gift. ”

Robin Lassiter, Author of Earth: A Love Story, Podcaster & Coach

“Kimberley's a Modern Sage. Her style is loving, knowledgeable, and grounded in ancient wisdom but adapted for today's times. She's someone I see as not only a teacher but also a mentor and role model of the kind of woman, mother, and person I want to be in the world. ”

Tricia Napor, Senior Director Employee Relations at Yale Universsity

“Kimberley's own spiritual work is magnetic to my spirit, lighting up the path from not too far ahead for me to catch up or keep up. Spiritual knowing that it is right here for the stepping into. ”

Carrie Murphy, Acupuncturist

“If there is the smallest flutter inside of you that calls you to work with Kimberley, do it. She is ethical, wise, safe, and offers precious jewels. It's not an accident that you've come across this opportunity.”

R. L. ~ Trinidad, CO

“Studying with Kimberley is walking through the doors of a time tested and validated lineage with a modern, down to earth teacher and community. If you want to truly transform the way you see yourself and reality for the better.... go to her. ”

Haley Dawn Roth, Harvard Educator & Teen Coach

“I would highly recommend studying with Kimberley: the environment and community are safe, fun, and totally inspiring.”

Tai Bendit

Pricing options

Please choose what best suits your heart, identity, and wallet. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Meet Your Instructor

Kimberley Lafferty

Kimberley Theresa Lafferty is a teacher-practitioner specializing in in the confluence of human development, adult education and Indo-Tibetan Buddhist psychology. Her trans-disciplinary practice offers an educational options online, and in person. She is a seasoned teacher of multi-year educational and practice cohorts, focused on the personal path of awakening integrating Mahayana, Vajrayana and Classic Yoga teaching with modern psychological wisdom. Kimberley is an active board member of the Association for Spiritual Integrity, a wife, mother to a teen, residing in a remote mountain community. Her lived experience deeply informs her pragmatic , every day approach to the deep spiritual questions and practices of our time.

Is this event for you?

If you...

  • Experience suffering in self and others, and want to know how to stop it
  • Seek to become a Sage or a Saint as a life goal (joke/no joke) 
  • Wish to wake up, grow up, and SHOW up for the world you love
  • Want to transform or reconstruct the beliefs that hold you back 
  • Seek to learn the top ancient Himalayan insights on developing spiritual wisdom
  • Wish for a community to share, challenge and support the evolution of your identity and world 


Then, yes! Welcome, huzzah, pull up a chair.

But if you're hoping we'll...

  • Do guru stuff or stick to tradition without modern context
  • Lecture on philosophy without real life application or practice
  • Sit for 10 hrs chanting mantras

This isn't that. We're here to use all the tools of ancient wisdom + modern development to practice together in co-creative ways. Think: more community support, less chanting. (Though we do love chanting. :)




FAQ

  • How do I set up to do an online retreat?

    Start slowing down in the week before and keep your schedule spacious in the days after. Eliminate distractions during the 3 days of teaching, and set up a nice viewing/meditation space for yourself. Spend time offline and off screens or devices whenever able and nourish yourself in the integration breaks. Whether that's walks or baths, covering yourself in blankets or staring at the sky, be gentle and go easy.

  • Can I still take the course if I don't want to do a "retreat?"

    Of course! This is for you to use however your heart desires and schedule allows. Retreat is a very big part of our practice at Confluence, due especially to its realization-generating capacity. We will encourage you in this way often, but we care far more about you receiving this ancient-modern wisdom however you're able.

  • Is this course only for Buddhist practitioners?

    No way! The wisdom that the Heart Sutra shares (especially the specific steps to realize Wisdom), matter to anyone who seeks to awaken. And the developmental lens/discoveries we'll be sharing hasten the path of realization no matter the practices for getting there.

We Hope You'll Join Us

gate gate pāragate pārasamgate bodhi svāhā

Let's Go.