A Free Online Event
Skymind is an invitation to recognize and rest into the brilliant wholeness of our being – spacious, radiant, loving. It is also a pathway to meet all that arises – however beautiful or terrible – with a vast mind and an open heart.
These potent teachings, drawn from the work of 11th century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and the Mahamudra lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, can inspire and support us within the intensity of modern life.
Join Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen for a virtual evening talk, discussion, and brief practice, as they share some of the gems of their recently released book Skymind: The Radical Path of Open Awareness (Shambhala Publications, 2026).
Charlotte and Pieter will also lead an in-person gathering on the subject October 28-31,2026. More information here.
***The Zoom link will be emailed within 24 hours of signing up*****
SPEAKERS
Partners in life, teaching, and parenting, Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen draw on decades of dedicated study and practice to share the rich teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and their application to modern life. They are senior teachers (Lopöns) at Tara Mandala Retreat Center, founded by Lama Tsultrim Allione, and offer retreats world-wide. They have also studied with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, Lama Wangdu Rinpoche, and Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa Rinpoche, among others. Raised in New York City, Charlotte received a Masters in Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School. She is faculty at Naropa University and directs the Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education. Pieter received his Law degree in his native South Africa. His love of people, places, and cultures has carried him around the globe. He has served in leadership roles at Naropa University and Tara Mandala, and currently directs the Feeding your Demons Institute. Their recent book, Skymind: The Radical Path of Open Awareness (Shambhala, 2026), highlights the nature of mind teachings of the 11th century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and their application to modern life. Together they lead the Skymind Sangha from their home in Boulder, Colorado, where they live with their two sons. www.skymind.us
Steve Varley serves as the Managing Director at the Garrison Institute. In this role, Steve is responsible for the comprehensive strategy and support of the Garrison Institute’s efforts to apply the wisdom developed from contemplative practice to modern problems, with a special interest on the translation of individual practice to community, organizational, and systems-level problems.
Steve’s previous experience includes leadership roles at prominent organizations such as National Public Radio (NPR) and the University of North Carolina. His leadership at UNC Pembroke resulted in record-breaking fundraising years and was defined by his orientation of service and partnership toward the local community and the Lumbee Tribe.
Steve also served as President of the UNC Pembroke Foundation, an independent organization with endowment management and fundraising responsibility, where he oversaw millions of dollars in annual grantmaking for students with financial need.
Previously, Steve served as associate dean of advancement at Yale University, completing a long term of service in health-related fundraising and global health initiatives. Prior to Yale, he was the vice president of development at Gardner-Webb University, where he spearheaded the Higher Ground capital campaign, the university’s most successful fundraising effort in its history.