“In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the pinnacle spiritual experience is described as the union of the feminine, symbolizing wisdom, with the masculine, symbolizing skillful means.”

~ Lama Tsultrim Allione

Venture into the Yab Yum Mandala to explore divine union beyond gender identifications, experiencing and integrating the feminine and masculine we each hold within ourselves. In Tibetan Buddhism, yab yum represents a direct experience of non-duality – the union of wisdom and skillful means. The exploration of encumbered patterns, as represented by the five families, provides a framework for examining obscurations that arise in relationships, such as attachment, anger, disconnection, and jealousy, and how these may be transformed into relationship wisdom.

The work of healing and moving towards wholeness involves drawing forth and cultivating the positive aspects of both our feminine and masculine energies; otherwise, the hidden agenda of each can be destructive and self-sabotaging. With the Mandala Method, we offer a sublime approach to working with the feminine through the Dakini Mandala, the masculine in the Buddha Mandala, and the union of the two in the Yab Yum Mandala. This is deep inner work appropriate for individuals of all gender identities.

We can explore the yab yum in outer, inner, and secret ways, a traditional way to unpack various layers of any given teaching. At an outer level, the teachings of yab yum suggest that we can meet another being; however, that “other” appears to us as a path of practice in which we fully face our partner with no escape, no guarantee, no solid ground. At an inner level, we can understand yab yum as a symbol of an internal balance between energies we have come to label ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine.’  At a secret level, yab yum is the union of the ground of being and the emanations of the ground, the fundamental non-duality of emptiness and form, of wisdom and compassion.

You will have the opportunity to focus on one of the five families to explore your encumbered patterns related to these themes more deeply, learning how to transform them through the wisdom of each family, and explore how these energies impact your life, relationships, and spiritual practice.

In this experiential program, you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn the Yab Yum Mandala of the Male and Female Buddhas, a daily meditation practice
• Learn the symbolism of the Yab Yum Mandala, including the Male and Female Buddhas and their attributes
• Explore the integration of sacred feminine and masculine, beyond the binary understanding
• Use the five wisdom family framework to explore your obscurations in relationships, inner and outer
• Receive teachings on the inner, outer, and secret mandala
• Explore divine union and non-duality
• Engage in enhancement practices such as the guided Journey with the Male and Female Buddhas and art through Mandala Work with your Hands as part of  your personal work
• Work with additional practices such as Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice) and Element Meditations

Primary Practice
Yab Yum Mandala of the Male and Female Buddhas (Concise Version), daily practice.

Enhancement Practices:

• Guided Journey with the Male and Female Buddhas
• Mandala Work with Your Hands
• Element Meditations
• Unblocking the Encumbered Energy (Sound and Light Practice)

This rich course is also part of the Mandala Method Certification Program. This program guides individuals through in-depth work and practice with the mandala, certifying them to use mandala work one-on-one with clients. For more information about the Mandala Method Certification Program, contact the Mandala Method coordinator through this Contact Form.

Who Should Attend?

• Anyone in Magyu. Completion of this program fulfills part of the mandala requirement for Magyu: The Mother Lineage practitioners.
• Anyone interested in becoming certified to use Mandala Work with clients and who hopes to complete the Mandala Method Certification Program. For more information, see the Mandala Method certification program.
• Anyone interested in learning the Yab Yum Mandala of the Male and Female Buddhas practice and associated enhancement practices.

Recommended Reading

• Wisdom Rising, Feeding Your Demons, and Women of Wisdom by Lama Tsultrim Allione.
• Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism by Dr. Miranda Shaw

Program Tuition
$335   Standard Tuition
$235  Community Supported Tuition

Learn more about available financial assistance options and apply for a scholarship here.

Installment Payment Plan Option at Registration
Recognizing that everyone’s financial situation is unique, Tara Mandala strives to make its programs as accessible as possible. During registration, participants have the option to either pay the program fee in full or select the Installment Payment Plan. For those choosing the installment plan, a 25% deposit is required at registration, with the remaining balance automatically divided into equal monthly payments. The final payment is due 14 days prior to the program’s start date. If retreat enrollment occurs close to the start date, additional arrangements can be made. For any questions or special requests, the Finance Team is ready to assist at care@taramandala.org.

Sustaining Sangha
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Program discount to this course. To learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership, benefits, and discounts, click here.

Offering Dana to the Teacher
The practice of offering dana, meaning “generosity,” is the traditional offering that a student makes to their teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the program. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here.
The suggested dana for this program is $50 – $150.

Program Schedule
The program’s sessions are listed below. All times are Mountain Time. Please use this link to view how this daily schedule is translated into your time zone. Please note the USA will switch to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on March 8.

Live Sessions:  
Friday, March 20, 2026, from  9:00 am – 3:00 pm MST
Friday, March 27, 2026, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT
Friday, April 3, 2026, from  9:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT
Friday, April 10, 2026, from  9:00 am – 12:00 pm MDT

Weekly practice and Q&A sessions:
Saturdays: March 21 and March 18, 2026, from  10:00 am – 11:00 am MDT
Saturdays, April 4 and April 11, 2026, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am MDT

For Certification Track Participants
The Certification Training Module will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. MST. This is a half-day training for students seeking certification in the Mandala Method

Cost: $150** Please select the Certification Training Module add-on during registration to register for this session. Teachers in this session: Chögé Bridget Bailey and Chögé Lisa Erickson

Contact the Mandala Method coordinator through this Contact Form for more information.

Recording Access
All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings.

Tara Mandala Pricing Guidelines
As we strive to become an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community, our pricing guidelines are designed to serve as a map, inviting each of us to assess the resources that contribute to our access to precious dharma teachings. While we do ask you to look inward, please know there is no right or wrong answer. We encourage you to select the range/rate that is most suitable for your circumstances. To learn more about Tara Mandala’s pricing guidelines for Online Programs, In-Person Retreats, and Special Promotions, please visit this page.

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?
Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curricula, providing you with the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreats and hands-on learning, and connect with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live, if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year.

Click Here for Our Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy

Mental Health Disclaimer
While Tara Mandala offers profound Buddhist teachings and a supportive spiritual community, we do not provide mental health services, and our teachers are not operating as mental health professionals. Spiritual guidance provided by a Tara Mandala teacher is not a substitute for professional mental health support. We honor the importance of mental well-being and encourage community members seeking support to connect with licensed professionals in their local area. For immediate assistance with mental health concerns, please contact your local crisis resources or emergency services.