RINCHEN PALBAR  (Josh Hayes) studied philosophy at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1989.)In 1993, he met Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, which changed the course of his life. He completed the full Ngondro accumulations, twice, while returning to school to study nursing, beginning his nursing career in 1999. In 2004, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche invited him to join a group of students at Drub Nyiy Döjö Gatsal in a traditional Three-Year Retreat, which he completed in 2008, followed by an additional nine-month retreat. Returning to nursing in 2009, Josh began working in hospice care. He continues to support the Three-Year Retreat program and regularly participates in group retreats at Pema Osel Ling. He has been a mentor with the Dudjom Ngondro Program since 2016. He cherishes his role as a mentor, saying that it has truly enhanced his appreciation of Ngondro as a lifelong practice.

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