Subject: Two new CCI events taking place in Berkeley!

What is Creative Inquiry?

We are the Center for Creative Inquiry (CCI)… but what is creative inquiry? Join us at our inaugural event at our new space at 2210 Harold Way in Berkeley for a discussion and Q&A with CCI directors Jack Petranker and Morgan Wells.

At its core, “creating” is about making something new, and “inquiry” is about asking questions. Putting those together, creative inquiry can be described as asking questions to make something new. Or perhaps we can put it another way… it’s asking new questions to unlock something different in our experience. However you would like to think about is a good starting point, because creative inquiry is a method that asks questions… and keeps asking questions, rather than settling on easy or obvious answers. We inquire into all the aspects of our experience that we often take for granted – including who we are and what it means to be here.

This event will feature a conversation between Jack Petranker and Morgan Wells, followed by Q&A (or maybe Q&Q, since this is creative inquiry we’re talking about!) and a celebratory reception to honor our new space.

Date and Time

Saturday, August 16, 1:30-3pm

Location

2210 Harold Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

This event is FREE and open to the public!

The Time of our Lives

Time as we experience it is completely different from the linear past-present-future structure we impose on it. When we reconnect with the inner dynamic of time, our lives become rich in meaning and appreciation.

In this workshop, we will explore in our own experience what it means to live in the heart of time, a key theme in developing full presence mindfulness. Sessions will mix practices with discussion, harnessing the power of creative inquiry. The approach grows out of non-Buddhist writings of Tibetan lama Tarthang Tulku.

Join us for this 1-day workshop exploring the vision and practice of Full Presence Mindfulness. This course is appropriate for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Date and Time

Saturday, August 23rd, 10-12:30, 2-4pm

Location

2210 Harold Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

Price

$40-$80 sliding scale.

Upcoming CCI Retreats

Annual Time Space Knowledge Retreat Europe by Jack Petranker

Neu Plaue Retreat Center, Germany

September 16 – 21, 2025

Based on the book Knowledge of Time & Space by Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku.

In searching for ways to speak to the West after leaving India and Tibet, Tarthang Tulku began with an inquiry into the interplay of time, space, and knowledge. In this retreat, we follow out that inquiry, exploring three short chapters from the book Knowledge of Time and Space, an illuminating, but little-studied, celebration of our human being.

The retreat is held in the beautiful Neu Plaue Retreat Center in Germany. It is in person only.

This retreat is a co-production of Nyingma Centrum Nederland, Neu Plaue Retreat Center and Center for Creative Inquiry, Berkeley, California.

Learning to Be More Conscious

Ratna Ling Retreat Center, Cazadero, CA

October 15 – 19, 2025

Space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

"When the story is its telling, appearance is its appearing . . . We touch the lightness of being; we fuse with light.”

Tarthang Tulku, Dynamics of Time and Space

When we find ourselves stuck in habit patterns and dullness, emotions and worries, it’s a sure sign that we are operating at low levels of consciousness. We can change that, learning to appreciate more fully each moment of our lives.

In this retreat, we start with grounding practices, then look at how we use stories to make sense of our lives, including the story that we “own” our experience. We will also investigate the way our limited understanding of space and time undermines our capacity to be more conscious. There will be ample opportunities to enjoy and learn from the spectacular beauty of Ratna Ling and its surroundings.

News from our Partners

A Higher Purpose

Guna Foundation, part of the Nyingma mandala of organizations, has released a new hour-long film, A Higher Purpose. It documents the extraordinary breadth of work accomplished by Tarthang Rinpoche—the author of the original TSK books—and the community of his students and followers. The film features breathtaking footage of Odiyan Country Center, historical footage from the early days of its construction, as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the ambitious, multi-decade book restoration project that has done so much to help save Tibetan culture. Jack Petranker, the founder of CCI, appears briefly in the film, alongside dozens of other senior students of Rinpoche. To stream the video online for free, click on the link and enter the password AHP when prompted.

Use the password AHP.

Watch the Movie

Odiyan 50th Anniversary

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Odiyan Country Center, the home of Tarthang Rinpoche, Nyingma Centrum Nederland and other partner organizations are spearheading a global donation campaign and mantra chant, which will take place on August 9, 2025. To donate and/or register for the chant.

The Center for Creative Inquiry (CCI) explores alternate forms of knowledge and inquiry and their potential to bring about fundamental change at the individual, cultural, and social level.

CCI headquarters is located in downtown Berkeley, California, USA.