September 9, 2008
Oct. 14, 7:00-9:00 pm, Presentation and Book Signing:
"Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict"
Sponsored by Jhamtse International
Within the ancient teachings of Tibetan Buddhism lies a method for facing--and dissolving--our fears, illnesses and emotional stumbling blocks. Tsultrim Allione will present a practical application of a revolutionary approach developed by a legendary Tibetan yogini, Machig Labdrön, almost 1,000 years ago. She will lead us through an experiential 5-step process that can help you meet and release what the Tibetan's call 'demons'---the longings, fears, obsessions, illnesses and attachments we battle with every day. We will learn how our inner and outer demons can be seen, nurtured, and transformed into allies.
Harvey Wheeler Community Center
1276 Main St., Concord, MA (parking and entrance on Church St.)
Donation $10 at the door.
Books available onsite through the Concord Bookshop.
More information: vajradakini@aol.com.
Oct. 15, 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Green Tara Transmission
This will be an introduction, explanation and oral transmission of the practice of Green Tara, who is an expression of our own potential for compassionate action. Through profound identification with her numinous presence, and practicing her mantra, we are protected from fears, obstacles, and disharmonious circumstances and ultimately realize empty, yet appearing luminous, presence. This practice is from the Ösel Dorje Sang Dzö (Secret Luminous Treasury) cycle of Adzom Drukpa, Pawo Dorje.
Lincoln, MA; venue TBA
$10 for the practice booklet plus dana (donation) for Lama Tsultrim.
Contact Prajna Hallstrom at shaktimata@aol.com.
Oct. 15, 7:00-9:00 pm
"Practices of the Great Wisdom Mother"
Sponsored by the Women's Well
This evening presentation will be an introduction and transmission of the practice of the Great Mother Prajña Paramita, who is known as Mother of all the Buddhas. The session will prepare and authorize participants to do this practice, which is primarily a nature of mind meditation. Prajña Paramita arose between 100 B.C. and 100 C.E as a goddess embodying wisdom similar to and at the same time as the western wisdom goddess Sophia. We will look at the connections between these two and the historical development of Prajña Paramita in Buddhism, in addition to the meditation.
Harvey Wheeler Community Center
1276 Main St., Concord, MA (parking and entrance on Church St.)
$20 in advance (by Oct. 10), $25 at the door.
Books available onsite through the Concord Bookshop.
More information: vajradakini@aol.com or womenswell.org.
Oct. 16, 5:15-7:30 pm
"Important Women in Tibetan Buddhist History and Their Lineages"
Moderated by Janet Gyatso, Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies, Harvard Divinity School. Co-sponsored by the Harvard Buddhist Community.
Center for the Study of World Religions
Common Room, 42 Francis Ave, Cambridge, MA; Limited seating.
More information: vajradakini@aol.com.
October 17-19
Chöd Retreat
Kripalu Yoga Center, Lenox, MA
An integration of Tibetan shamanic traditions and Buddhism’s teachings of compassion and emptiness, the centuries-old practice of Chöd helps us to understand the root of our pain and provides a way to resolve our deepest shadows and hardest addictions. Popularized by the eleventh-century yogini Machig Labdrön and used for cutting through fear, fixation, and self-clinging, Chöd is a wonderful practice for these times.
October 19-24
Kapala Training Level I
Kripalu Yoga Center, Lenox, MA
Kapala Training Level I is the first of a four-level training. It offers an in-depth exploration of the practice in the lineage of eleventh-century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön and the related Mahayana teachings of Prajña Paramita, the Great Mother, our own true nature. The training is for those who wish to work deeply with their own "demons" through contemplative practice.
You will learn a five-step practice based on the principles of feeding the demons rather than fighting them, so as to move beyond dualistic struggle. Compassionate nurturing rather than battling outer and inner challenges develops the potential for deep healing and helps us move from polarization to integration.
October 24-26
Feeding Your Demons Retreat
Ithaca, NY
We all have our 'demons' - fear, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, and illnesses. Within the ancient teachings of Tibetan Buddhism there is a meditation for facing and liberating these demons which block us from awakening. The traditional Tibetan practice called Chod (meaning "to sever") was established by Machig Labdron, a legendary femaile yogini nearly 1,000 years ago. Only by feeding and nurturing our inner demons can we free ourselves from the battle within. Drawing from Machig teachings, the nature of mind teachings of Prajna Paramita, and based on Tsultrim's new book, Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict, we will explore a five-step process to help you meet and release your own demon. We will learn this practical method to see, nurture, and transform our inner and outer demons into allies. Lama Tsultrim will also be teaching Prajna Paramita, a sky-gazing meditation on the nature of mind.