Piedmont
Karma Thegsum Choling
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Piedmont |
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Meditation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism: Shinay, Tonglen & Visualization Practice Wednesdays, January 18 - February 29, 2012, 7:30 - 9 pm Meditation
Practices of Tibetan Buddhism will introduce us to the practices of
Shinay/Shamatha to work with our minds to increase tranquility and
stability, Tonglen to deepen our compassion and loving-kindness, and
Visualization on Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Class
1: Shinay or Shamatha Practice, Wed., January 18, 7:30-9 pm.
Shinay
(also called shamatha, calm abiding, and/or tranquility meditation) is
a basic practice that helps us to stabilize and focus our minds, and is
common to all Buddhist traditions as well as non-Buddhist traditions.
It is both the beginning and basic practice of the Kagyu lineage,
yet is also utilized at all stages of practice including the most
advanced practices (such as Mahamudra.)Class
2: Shinay or Shamatha Practice II, Wed., January 25, 7:30-9 pm.
The
practice of Shinay, or calm abiding, continues this evening with a
further examination of the challenges that naturally arise in practice and effective remedies to apply when they do.Class
3: Shinay or Shamatha Practice, III, Wed., February 1, 7:30-9 pm.
We
will have further opportunities to practice shinay in this third class
in the series, and will be introduced to the Ten Stages of Shinay or
Shamatha, from the beginning stages of minding the breath, to the
advanced stages of "luminous awareness."Class 4: Tonglen Practice, Wed., February 8, 7:30-9 pm. Tonglen,
or taking and sending, is a practice that helps us develop and deepen
our compassion for others. We can practice Tonglen everywhere,
according to Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, and "become courageous and
tolerant, willing to work for the benefit of beings." Class 5: Tonglen Practice II, Wed., February 15, 7:30-9 pm. We will continue to practice and develop the simple yet powerful practice of Tonglen in this class. Class 6: Visualization Practice, Wed., February 22, 7:30-9 pm. The
introductory class on visualization meditation practice is designed to
acquaint students with the general format, intent, and meaning of
visualization practices. An example of such a practice is the
sadhana of Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion, which we practice
at the center on Sunday mornings.
Class 7: Chenrezig Practice on Compassion, Wed., Feb. 29, 7:30-9 pm. This
introduction to the Compassion Chenrezig Sadhana will guide students
through this beautiful visualization practice using the video teaching
by Lama Kathy Wesley. By meditating on his form and reciting the
mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG, we remove the negative mental afflictions of
anger, clinging, and ignorance and develop the qualities of wisdom and
compassion for all beings. Everyone
is welcome and there are no prerequisites other than a basic level of
curiosity about Buddhism. The classes
are informal and designed for plenty of discussion and time for
questions. A brief sitting meditation will be included.
Please feel free to attend any one or more classes. Written material will be provided on each topic. The
suggested (not required) donation for each class is $10.
Classes will be held at the Piedmont KTC Tibetan Meditation Center, between #201 and #203 West Weaver Street, Carrboro. For more information, call 919-968-9426.
Last updated: Jan.. 2012 |