This retreat is open to everyone. No prior meditation experience is required.

At the heart of all practices of Tibetan Buddhism, Mind Training (Lojong) puts special emphasis on transforming all hardships and happiness into the path of awakening, meaning that all of life’s joys and sorrows can be fuel for the ultimate journey home. Mind Training consists of inspiring pithy slogans that help us dive deeply and intimately into our own capacity to develop wisdom and compassion in our lives. Mind Training encourages us to move away from self-centeredness and towards developing bodhicitta, the heart-felt aspiration that all beings be happy and free of suffering.

In this unique retreat, Lopön Chandra will share the classical text called The Seven Points of Mind Training by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (1102-1176), while supplementing the root text with devotional poetry and songs of realization, called dohās, to inspire us along the way. Here is one such poem by Atīśa (982-1054), the beloved Indian Buddhist teacher who brought the Lojong teachings to Tibet:

“Originally pure nature of mind
Is imbued with an overwhelming compassion for all beings.
That compassion is born from emptiness,
And it is to emptiness that it returns.”

With the aim of integrating study with practice, this retreat will balance discussion with guided meditations on Shamatha (Calm Abiding), Vipashyana (Insight) and Tonglen (Sending & Receiving) meditations.

Registration Site: 

https://www.taramandala.nl/retreat-poetry-and-mind-training-en.html