Please note: Participation in this course is reserved for Banyan Cohort students entering their 2nd year in the Planetary Dharma program.
Registration is now closed
Banyan Cohort
bodhisattva training | september 2025 - May 2026
banyan course description:
The Journey of the Planetary Bodhisattva
As you enter the second year of your journey with Planetary Dharma, you are stepping into a profound new phase—one that invites you into deeper introspection and a wider embrace of the Bodhisattva path. This is no longer just about personal transformation. Together, we are walking a sacred path of awakening in service to all beings.
We are living in a time of immense unraveling and extraordinary potential. This is the Fourth Turning of the Dharma—a planetary rite of passage calling us to rise with compassion, clarity, and courageous love. Our world is shifting, and so are we. To walk the Bodhisattva path now is to say yes to becoming a conscious participant in birthing a world destined to become a Garden University of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.
As we move forward, your inner realizations begin to align with the evolutionary heart of the planet. You are invited to bring your deepest knowing into form and step into your role as an agent of planetary awakening.
Practicing Absolute and Relative Bodhicitta:
In this next phase, our practices evolve from personal disciplines into living transmissions. Together, we deepen into Absolute Bodhicitta—the experience of boundless openness and interbeing. As you train, you begin to feel the body, perceptual field, and self-structure soften and dissolve into a greater whole. You experience the Unbounded HeartMind, a natural, compassionate awareness beyond separation.
We also begin walking the path of Relative Bodhicitta, also known as Heroic Altruism. Here, we learn to meet suffering—not as a burden—but as a gateway into service. You are not alone in this. We awaken together so that we may awaken others. As planetary Bodhisattvas, we are called to act from the deep knowing that all time is always already now. In this awareness, we become vessels of compassion, guardians of wisdom, and emissaries of planetary healing.
Awakening Bodhicitta also activates your capacity for non-conceptual valid cognition—a form of buddhic intelligence that intuitively perceives deeper truths and aligns with the unfolding synchronicities of life. This is not merely intellectual understanding, but a living, vibrational awareness that guides action with clarity and purpose. As this deeper knowing awakens within you, the path—and the heroic trials that accompany it—will naturally accelerate. You may find yourself drawn with renewed devotion to turning the Wheel of Dharma alongside your fellow Bodhisattvas.
This path also asks us to mature into fully individuated human beings—capable of bridging and weaving between inner and outer worlds, tradition and innovation, the personal and the planetary. As Bodhisattvas in training, we are expected to meet the challenges of self-responsibility and soul-guided leadership. You are called to shape the life conditions—spiritually, relationally, and materially—that support deeper participation, clearer integrity, and meaningful service within your communities.
what you will learn:
In the second year, you’ll engage in powerful, embodied practices that will deepen your resilience and expand your presence in the world. Together, we will:
On the Bodhisattva path of training, you’ll explore Insight and Emptiness (Openness) practices rooted in the Mahamudra tradition, supporting the direct realization of the nature of mind.
Train in Absolute Bodhicitta, cultivating direct openness in the body, perceptual field, and self-sense—and awakening as Soul.
Practice Heroic Altruism (Relative Bodhicitta) through the Bodhisattva Lojong/Mind Training.
Deepen your capacity to meet adversity as a path to awakening, using lojong slogans and meditative self-inquiry to transform challenge into insight and compassionate presence.
Explore and develop the different fuels of motivation to sustain you through the journey ahead.
Begin to shape your multi-incarnational narrative self, preparing to fulfill the deeper arc of your soul’s evolutionary purpose.
Deepen your commitment to the vow of Sacred World by aligning your actions with your deepest intentions.
At the end of the academic year, an optional in-person retreat is offered as a culmination of your journey. During this retreat, you will have the opportunity to take your formal vow as a Planetary Bodhisattva—a personal and collective commitment to serve the awakening of all beings and align with the deeper evolutionary purpose of our planetary system.
*Optional Track: Medicine Dharma
For those who feel called, the Medicine Dharma Track offers a powerful supplemental path into the sacred use of cannabis for transformation, shadow integration, and awakening. Rooted in ethical frameworks and skillful means, this year-long journey invites participants to deepen their practice through guided ceremony, seasonal ritual, and earth-based rhythm—always in service of human flourishing and the evolution of consciousness. Registered Banyan cohort members will receive access to a discount code on the Welcome page of their new 2025/2026 membership area.
Banyan Cohort: Payment Options and scholarship application link
Course Policies: please Read Before Registering!
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We offer an incentive for students to pay in full at the time of registration to receive a $400 reduction off the standard tuition price. This discount reflects the reduced financial and administrative burden associated with single payments, as payment plans incur added processing fees, often require additional follow-up due to failed transactions, expired cards, or insufficient funds. Paying in full supports the forecasting of operations and allows our team to focus more energy on delivering a high-quality training experience.
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If you choose a payment plan, you are responsible for:
Ensuring that sufficient funds are available for each scheduled installment.
Keeping your payment method valid and up to date throughout the duration of the plan.
Our system (powered by Squarespace) will notify you by email if a payment fails. If the issue is not resolved within 10 days, your access to the membership area will be automatically revoked by Squarespace’ automated system. Planetary Dharma does not have control over this aspect of the system.
If access is revoked due to non-payment, you will be required to pay the remaining balance in full in order to continue participating in the program.
Payment Security & Scheduling
Please note that Planetary Dharma does not have access to your credit card information. All payments are securely processed through Squarespace’s automated billing system. We are unable to view, edit, or manipulate your payment details, including the date of your scheduled charges.
If you choose a payment plan, your card will be charged automatically on the same day each month, based on the original date of your registration. For example, if you register on the 10th, your subsequent payments will process on the 10th of each following month.
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Withdrawal Policy
We understand that life circumstances can shift. If you need to withdraw from the program, you must notify us in writing before the published withdrawal deadline (clearly communicated in the registration window). In these cases, we will apply our refund policy to determine the appropriate fees owed.
After the withdrawal deadline, tuition becomes non-refundable, and the full balance remains due—regardless of whether you paid in full or enrolled in a payment plan. At that point, course access has been granted, resources have been allocated, and the training container is fully underway.
Important: By enrolling, you agree to honor the full terms of the payment option you choose. Initiating a chargeback or payment dispute after the withdrawal deadline is a direct violation of your enrollment agreement.
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Upon registration, you will receive access to the membership area of your course. Inside the membership portal, all registered Planetary Dharma students will find a 25% discount code for Medicine Dharma offerings.
This exclusive discount is available to students enrolled in the Aspen, AspenFIT, or Banyan programs, and is intended as a resource to support your continued study and practice throughout the training.
Please note: Medicine Dharma is a separate offering, and students must register independently to access those programs.
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As part of your tuition, you’ll receive complimentary access to 9 online sessions of the Bodhisattva’s Compass series as well as the Introduction to Planetary Dharma online course, taking place July 18–20. Together, this bonus content is valued at $600 and is included at no additional cost to support and deepen your journey.
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Access to the Intro to Planetary Dharma membership areas has been automatically included with your registration. As soon as you complete your registration, you’ll receive immediate access.
$470 of your payment is a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. Our cancellation policy is firm, no exceptions: cancellations on or before 8/17/25 forfeit the deposit; all other tuition fees are refunded. Cancellations after 8/17/25 forfeit all payments made, regardless of withdrawal or completion of course. Session recordings are available in the membership library until 5/31/26. By enrolling, you confirm you've read the policies below and agree to honor the full terms of your payment.
Banyan Course Structure
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✺ 4-day online meditation retreat
Dec. 3: 5-7pm MT | Dec. 4-7: 7am-3pm MT
You’ll deepen your Essence practice during a transformative 4-day online meditation retreat in December, beginning with a Wednesday evening opening session. Each day includes time for guided connection with your small group facilitator and sangha members, offering space to share and integrate your deepening experience. This immersive retreat invites extended meditation, contemplation, and silence—strengthening your commitment to the Bodhisattvic path and grounding your intention to embody compassion and service in all dimensions of life.
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✺ 8 Practice Day Modules
One Saturday per Month: 7am-3pm MT
Each of our eight monthly Practice Days offers an immersive dive into foundational teachings, including Lojong (Bodhisattva Mind Training) and Space/Body Essence practices. Lojong supports the transformation of adversity into a path of compassion and resilience, while Space/Body Essence practices integrate somatic awareness with non-dual insight—cultivating inner calm, embodied presence, and a deep connection between body and mind.
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✺ 15 Bi-Monthly Small Group Cohort Classes
Mentor-Led Practice & Reflection (90 minutes)
On alternating Thursdays, you’ll gather in your small group with FIT mentors for a 90-minute session that offers a supportive space to explore the nuances of your personal practice, engage in meaningful reflection, and deepen connection with your peers. These sessions provide an opportunity to refine Essence practices, which draw on somatic presence and spacious awareness to stabilize the mind and open the heart. You’ll also have space (if needed) to discuss your understanding of the Lojong mind training slogans—short, powerful phrases that guide the transformation of difficulty into compassion and insight. Together, these threads support the integration of wisdom and compassion into daily life. -
✺ 17 Bi-Monthly MahaSangha Classes
All-School Meditation Sessions (75 minutes)
Twice each month, we come together as one large school to engage in a unified 75-minute practice session. These gatherings include chanting, kriya, and meditation—woven together to awaken the body, stabilize the mind, and open the heart. Practicing in synchrony with the full sangha amplifies our collective energy, deepens our connection to the dharma, and cultivates a palpable field of presence and coherence. These sessions are a powerful anchor in the rhythm of the training, reminding us that we walk this path together—each voice, breath, and silence contributing to our shared awakening. -
✺ Bodhisattva's Compass
One Tuesday per Month (75 minutes)
A series of conversations with Dr. John Churchill and the Planetary Dharma team that orients our practice within the larger planetary story. In these gatherings, John weaves together threads from esoteric history, artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and the world’s wisdom traditions to illuminate the sacred role of the awakening Bodhisattva at this pivotal moment in human evolution. Together, we explore how our inner work—when rooted in contemplative depth and developmental intelligence—can become a stabilizing force within the turbulence of global change.
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✺ Optional à la carte Maha-sangha Retreat
Not Included in Your Tuition Fees:
From June 3-7 2025 (TENTATIVE), we will be hosting an all-school Mahasangha retreat in Boulder, Colorado. This in-person gathering will bring together students from both cohorts for a powerful week of deep practice, integration, and connection. Please note that this retreat is not included in your tuition and will be offered as an optional addition to your training. It will also not be broadcast in an online format. Full details and registration information will be announced later in the Fall semester.
Regional Calendars (Last updated 5-25-26)
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USA/Americas
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Europe
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Oceania
Banyan Cohort: Payment Options and scholarship application link
Course Policies: please Read Before Registering!
-
We offer an incentive for students to pay in full at the time of registration to receive a $400 reduction off the standard tuition price. This discount reflects the reduced financial and administrative burden associated with single payments, as payment plans incur added processing fees, often require additional follow-up due to failed transactions, expired cards, or insufficient funds. Paying in full supports the forecasting of operations and allows our team to focus more energy on delivering a high-quality training experience.
-
If you choose a payment plan, you are responsible for:
Ensuring that sufficient funds are available for each scheduled installment.
Keeping your payment method valid and up to date throughout the duration of the plan.
Our system (powered by Squarespace) will notify you by email if a payment fails. If the issue is not resolved within 10 days, your access to the membership area will be automatically revoked by Squarespace’ automated system. Planetary Dharma does not have control over this aspect of the system.
If access is revoked due to non-payment, you will be required to pay the remaining balance in full in order to continue participating in the program.
Payment Security & Scheduling
Please note that Planetary Dharma does not have access to your credit card information. All payments are securely processed through Squarespace’s automated billing system. We are unable to view, edit, or manipulate your payment details, including the date of your scheduled charges.
If you choose a payment plan, your card will be charged automatically on the same day each month, based on the original date of your registration. For example, if you register on the 10th, your subsequent payments will process on the 10th of each following month.
-
Withdrawal Policy
We understand that life circumstances can shift. If you need to withdraw from the program, you must notify us in writing before the published withdrawal deadline (clearly communicated in the registration window). In these cases, we will apply our refund policy to determine the appropriate fees owed.
After the withdrawal deadline, tuition becomes non-refundable, and the full balance remains due—regardless of whether you paid in full or enrolled in a payment plan. At that point, course access has been granted, resources have been allocated, and the training container is fully underway.
Important: By enrolling, you agree to honor the full terms of the payment option you choose. Initiating a chargeback or payment dispute after the withdrawal deadline is a direct violation of your enrollment agreement.
-
Upon registration, you will receive access to the membership area of your course. Inside the membership portal, all registered Planetary Dharma students will find a 25% discount code for Medicine Dharma offerings.
This exclusive discount is available to students enrolled in the Aspen, AspenFIT, or Banyan programs, and is intended as a resource to support your continued study and practice throughout the training.
Please note: Medicine Dharma is a separate offering, and students must register independently to access those programs.
-
As part of your tuition, you’ll receive complimentary access to 9 online sessions of the Bodhisattva’s Compass series as well as the Introduction to Planetary Dharma online course, taking place July 18–20. Together, this bonus content is valued at $600 and is included at no additional cost to support and deepen your journey.
-
Access to the Intro to Planetary Dharma membership areas has been automatically included with your registration. As soon as you complete your registration, you’ll receive immediate access.
$470 of your payment is a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. Our cancellation policy is firm, no exceptions: cancellations on or before 8/17/25 forfeit the deposit; all other tuition fees are refunded. Cancellations after 8/17/25 forfeit all payments made, regardless of withdrawal or completion of course. Session recordings are available in the membership library until 5/31/26. By enrolling, you confirm you've read the policies below and agree to honor the full terms of your payment.