TLC PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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Vision

TLC Transitional Life Care offers support to those who wish to deepen their understanding and awareness of the truth of impermanence. We offer many resources in order to assist those who are preparing for and experiencing the end of life, and to the families, friends, and caregivers of those approaching death and throughout the dying process. It is also our aspiration to provide spiritual encouragement in the Buddhist tradition and to present programs that reflect this, including:

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Purpose

We are motivated by 1) a desire to ease suffering and offer comfort and support to those who have entered the dying process, and their loved ones and caregivers, and 2) a desire to acknowledge and facilitate the opportunity for spiritual understanding and practice, the essence of the transference of consciousness.

 

Organization and Structure

TLC is staffed by volunteers working independently of any particular religious organization, and is unaffiliated with any hospital or hospice. The seed for TLC was planted many years ago with the strong encouragement of Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche, an esteemed Vajrayana Buddhist Master. The program provides several educational events annually focused on preparation for our own deaths and the ability to offer effective and compassionate assistance to others, as well as videos of our programs, and other resources. When requested, our aspirations include providing counsel offering spiritual support. When death comes we will assist in offering advice regarding Vajrayana Buddhist traditions for the deceased, and planning funeral and memorial services. TLC Transitional Life Care gratefully accepts donations for our services and free resources. Please see our “Donate” page for information about how to help.

 

Support Literature and Education

We utilize TLC’s end of life manual ‘Instructions for the Transitional State’, written by TLC Founder and Director, Julie Rogers, with the advice of Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche, published by Vimala at vimalatreasures.org. We host a wide variety of Vajrayana masters and teachers, medical professionals, hospice workers, and others to lead our educational programs and engage in discussion on the topic, and we encourage study of available literature on the subject. In addition, we offer and provide support. 

 

Authorization

This program is authorized by Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche. TLC has been supported by the teachings and advice of many Vajrayana teachers including His Holiness Getse Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, Lingtrul Rinpoche, Chamtrul Rinpoche, Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Chakung Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche, Lama Sonam Tsering Rinpoche, Venerable Sogan Rinpoche, Jetsunma Jamyang Yeshe Palmo, Khenpo Paljor Gyatso, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, Lama Drimed Rinpoche, Chagdud Khadro, Lama Gyaltsen, Lama Choyang, Lama Tsering Everest, Archaya Judith Simmer-Brown PhD., Lama Glenn Mullin, Lama John Ross, Loppon Yudron Wangmo, Lama Pat Berube, Drubpon Pema Rigzin, Lama Les Collins, translator Christina Monson, Venerable Robina Courtin, Lama Lakshey Zangpo Rinpoche, Khenpo Karten Rinpoche, and others.

 

Additionally, TLC’s guest speakers have included medical professionals and other knowledgeable educators such as Hospice Medical Director Dr. Benjamin Boblett, Dr. Peter Candell, Tibetan Physican Thinley Gyatso, Tibetan physician Nashalla Nyinda, Andrew Holecek, green burial professionals Edward Bixby and Seth Viddal, Alistar Shanks of Zen Hospice Project, educator and translator Paloma Landry, hospital chaplain Liz Hammil-Howard, attorney Kathleen Pratt, Esq., translator and attorney Vanessa Kubota, hospital chaplain Jamie Kimmel, hospice RN Joshua Hayes, ICU RN Buffy Plante, death doula Stephanie Crawford, RN, BSN, therapists Rose Kaufman and Fran Anderson, Rev. Rosemary Lloyd of The Conversation Project, Nirabhra Taylor of Pema Osel Ling’s ‘Magical Display of the Arts’, author Sarah Beasley, artist Nancy Hom of Open Heart Mandala, end-of-life Educator Amita Lhamo, and author and Zen teacher Sallie Tisdale. 

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