About The 3 Doors
The 3 Doors is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through meditation practices grounded in wisdom and compassion. Founded in 2010 by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master, the 3 Doors is a vibrant, ever-expanding practitioner community committed to supporting one’s natural inclination to serve the well-being of others.
Our research group collaborates with other leading mindfulness research efforts to study the effects The 3 Doors meditations methods have on health and well-being. Many of our program participants are actively involved with initiatives to bring compassionate care and mindful leadership into their communities.
Our signature program is The 3 Doors Academy, a series of retreats taking place over a two and a half year period that guide participants to explore the power of meditation and community to support self-discovery, personal transformation, and actions that benefit others. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of different length programs online and in-person to deepen and refresh your meditation practice, such as our 9-month Compassion Project. Learn more about our programs.
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche – Founder
Who are these teachings suitable for?
These teaching are suitable for people new to meditation, for those currently practicing some form of meditation, as well as for experienced practitioners who want to refresh and deepen their realization of the natural state of mind.
What does the concept of “door” refer to?
The three doors refer to body, speech, and mind. Through the expressions of these three, we can either separate and exit from our natural state of being, or we can enter and realize our nature. By placing attention on the stillness of the body, the silence of inner speech, and the spaciousness of the mind, we enter the inner refuge of the natural mind and experience the unlimited potential present within every moment.
What is the source of these teachings?
These teachings are rooted in the Dzogchen tradition of Bön Buddhism. Dzogchen means “great completion” and carries the fundamental view that each of us is inherently complete and whole as we are. Meditation is a way of recognizing this nature, which is abundant with creativity and positive qualities. The 3 Doors founder, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, began his studies at age 13 under the guidance of Tibetan masters in India. He founded The 3 Doors to share these select practices of body, speech, and mind in a way that is relevant and accessible to modern life, and beneficial to as many people as possible worldwide.