Session outlines:
11 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: read to just before "Joyful Resting"
- Clarifying: read pp 13-19
- Crystal: read to p 23
Practice in session:
Teach "Expel the dead air" (from Pointing Out, p35)
Shamatha #1 (04:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting"
Shamatha #2 (04:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (2) Attending to Visual Appearances
Shamatha #3 (05:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting"
Shamatha #4 (05:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (2) Attending to Visual Appearances
Discuss differences
Shamatha #5 (05:00): shamatha object is white pea-sized sphere at forehead
Shamatha #6 (05:00): shamatha object is black sphere below seat (maybe breathe thru sitz
bones or central channel)
#5 is suggested antidote to torpor, #6 is antidote to agitation
Discussion about shamatha vs vipashyana
Vipashyana #1 (02:00): VSM
Vipashyana #2 (03:00): VSM
Vipashyana #3 (03:00): VSM
Discussion
18 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: Read chapter 1; Print up and bring chapter 1 to help with readings during session
- Clarifying: read 19-21; try breath-oriented shamatha as described. PHAT!
- Crystal: pp 24-41
Practice in session:
Shamatha #1: Read together then do Clarifying p19 "First", counting by 3, 7, 3 (3:00 each)
Shamatha #2: Read together then do Clarifying p19 "Next", vase breathing (2x3:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together then do Clarifying p21 "Phat" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #4: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" (2x6:00)
Shamatha #5: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (4) "Sounding AH" (2x4:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3x2:00)
Vipashyana #2: Same as #1, except do it by letting go instead of effort (2:00)
25 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Clarifying: read 21-26
- Crystal: pp 41-46
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Read together Clarifying p21 "When", then do "Shamatha without Breathing
Practice" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3x2:00) How is this different from "Tightening"? Can you do
this by Loosening?
Vipashyana #2: What happens at the instant that you become aware that you are aware? Try
this by tightening. Compare this with doing it by loosening. (2x3:00)
01 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new)
- Clarifying: read 21-26
- Crystal: pp 41-46
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (5:00, 7:00)
Shamatha #3: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" - Make this as simple as possible.
What changes when you try to simplify your meditation? (6:00) Discuss simplification.
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #5: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(2x3:00 with tightening)
Vipashyana #2: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(2x3:00 with loosening)
08 Nov 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: read 26-29
- Crystal: pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #5: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Read Clarifying pp27-28, then do "Loosening" again with a little curiosity (2x2:00)
Discuss still mind, nature of investigations: can you look with a "couldn't care less" attitude?
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind"(3:00, 3:00, 5:00)
15 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00) How subtle can the loosening be? Tighten,
then slightly loosen within the short session.
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (paraphrased by Jules Levinson): We're not in much danger of
falling into nihilism. Rather in the West we're dealing with an an excess of solidity, so we should
lean really hard into emptiness and not worry about it.
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3:00 with loosening)
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind"(3:00) Start in "Just Sit", then look
with a "couldn't care less" attitude.
Discuss
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind" (5:00) Rest in simple presence.
Consider "looking at the mind" as looking without looking at.
Vipashyana #4: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind" (5:00)
22 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 8:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (3x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (3x2:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #1: Someone reads Online Exploring Mind: (2) Colors of mind (3:00) Start in "Just
Sit", then look with a "couldn't care less" attitude.
Discuss
Read Shangpa teaching "So close"
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (2) "Colors of mind" (2x5:00) without "looking at"
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00)
29 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x2:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Read Clarifying pp 40-42
Vipashyana #1: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00) without "looking at"
Discuss
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00)
I read Clarifying pointing out: pp 40-42 (quoted portions only)
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (4) "Luminosity and Voidness of Mind" (2x5:00) without
"looking at"
I read Crystal Clear pp 80-82
06 Dec 09:
Merry Mahamudra! Gathering
13 Dec 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: re-read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: re-read 26-29
- Crystal: re-read pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (3:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x3:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Read Clarifying pp 40-42
Vipashyana #1: Online Exploring Mind: (4) "Luminosity and Voidness of Mind" (3x5:00)
Can we do this without "looking at"?
Vipashyana #2: (5) Origin, Abode, Destination (3x5:00)
20 Dec 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: re-read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: re-read 26-29
- Crystal: re-read pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (10:00, 5:00)
Vipashyana #1: DogZen9 "Pure awareness aware only of itself" (5:00)
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (5:00) - Try it with "letting go"
Vipashyana #3: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (5:00) - Try it with a smile! What happens?
Vipashyana #4: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (4:00) - Try it with a "big mind" that includes current
mental activity
Vipashyana #5 Online (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (2x5:00)
27 Dec 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (10:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #1: DogZen9 "Being present" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Direct knowing" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #3: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (4:00) - Try it with a "big mind" that includes current
mental activity
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Ingression of novelty" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #4: Online (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (2x5:00)
03 Jan 10: No meeting
10 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (8:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Online Chapter 3, (1) "Shape of Thoughts" (3:00, 5:00)
Discuss
Vipashyana #1: Online Chapter 3, (3) "Location of Thoughts" (5:00)
17 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Tonglen (8:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x3:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipassana #1: Guided meditation based on David Deida's essay "Appreciate Dissatisfaction"
Discuss relationship between openness and loosening
Vipashyana #2: Online Chapter 3, (2) "Colors of Thoughts" (10:00)
24 Jan 10:
Preparation: same as last time
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
"Look at mind like an entomologist looks at a bug." - Thrangu Rinpoche
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipassana #1: Guided meditation based on David Deida's essay "Appreciate Dissatisfaction"
Discuss relationship between openness and loosening
Vipashyana #2: Online Chapter 3, (5) "Origin, Abode, Destination" (3:00, 5:00, 3:00)
31 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Read "Standing Outside"
- Read "Essential Advice"
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4:00)
Shamatha #4: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Preparation for contemplation
Vipashyana #2: Standing Outside (2x5:00)
Vipashyana #3: Online Chapter 3, (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (5:00)
07 Feb 10:
Preparation:
- Read "Standing Outside"
- Read "Essential Advice"
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4:00)
Shamatha #4: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Preparation for contemplation, all parts
Vipashyana #2: "Standing Outside of the Realm of Description" (2x5:00)
Vipashyana #3: Online Chapter 3, (5) "Origin, Abode, Destination" (3:00, 5:00)
Vipashyana #4: Online Chapter 3, (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (5:00)
11 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: read to just before "Joyful Resting"
- Clarifying: read pp 13-19
- Crystal: read to p 23
Practice in session:
Teach "Expel the dead air" (from Pointing Out, p35)
Shamatha #1 (04:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting"
Shamatha #2 (04:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (2) Attending to Visual Appearances
Shamatha #3 (05:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting"
Shamatha #4 (05:00): Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (2) Attending to Visual Appearances
Discuss differences
Shamatha #5 (05:00): shamatha object is white pea-sized sphere at forehead
Shamatha #6 (05:00): shamatha object is black sphere below seat (maybe breathe thru sitz
bones or central channel)
#5 is suggested antidote to torpor, #6 is antidote to agitation
Discussion about shamatha vs vipashyana
Vipashyana #1 (02:00): VSM
Vipashyana #2 (03:00): VSM
Vipashyana #3 (03:00): VSM
Discussion
18 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: Read chapter 1; Print up and bring chapter 1 to help with readings during session
- Clarifying: read 19-21; try breath-oriented shamatha as described. PHAT!
- Crystal: pp 24-41
Practice in session:
Shamatha #1: Read together then do Clarifying p19 "First", counting by 3, 7, 3 (3:00 each)
Shamatha #2: Read together then do Clarifying p19 "Next", vase breathing (2x3:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together then do Clarifying p21 "Phat" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #4: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" (2x6:00)
Shamatha #5: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (4) "Sounding AH" (2x4:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3x2:00)
Vipashyana #2: Same as #1, except do it by letting go instead of effort (2:00)
25 Oct 09:
Preparation:
- Clarifying: read 21-26
- Crystal: pp 41-46
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Read together Clarifying p21 "When", then do "Shamatha without Breathing
Practice" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #3: Read together Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3x2:00) How is this different from "Tightening"? Can you do
this by Loosening?
Vipashyana #2: What happens at the instant that you become aware that you are aware? Try
this by tightening. Compare this with doing it by loosening. (2x3:00)
01 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new)
- Clarifying: read 21-26
- Crystal: pp 41-46
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (5:00, 7:00)
Shamatha #3: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" - Make this as simple as possible.
What changes when you try to simplify your meditation? (6:00) Discuss simplification.
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #5: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(2x3:00 with tightening)
Vipashyana #2: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(2x3:00 with loosening)
08 Nov 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: read 26-29
- Crystal: pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue LIght at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #5: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00)
Vipashyana #1: Read Clarifying pp27-28, then do "Loosening" again with a little curiosity (2x2:00)
Discuss still mind, nature of investigations: can you look with a "couldn't care less" attitude?
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind"(3:00, 3:00, 5:00)
15 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00, then 8:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4x2:00) How subtle can the loosening be? Tighten,
then slightly loosen within the short session.
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche (paraphrased by Jules Levinson): We're not in much danger of
falling into nihilism. Rather in the West we're dealing with an an excess of solidity, so we should
lean really hard into emptiness and not worry about it.
Vipashyana #1: Subject (no object) meditation; "when you notice an object of awareness, notice
who's looking (and drop the object)"(3:00 with loosening)
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind"(3:00) Start in "Just Sit", then look
with a "couldn't care less" attitude.
Discuss
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind" (5:00) Rest in simple presence.
Consider "looking at the mind" as looking without looking at.
Vipashyana #4: Online Exploring Mind: (1) "Shape of mind" (5:00)
22 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 8:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (3x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (3x2:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #1: Someone reads Online Exploring Mind: (2) Colors of mind (3:00) Start in "Just
Sit", then look with a "couldn't care less" attitude.
Discuss
Read Shangpa teaching "So close"
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (2) "Colors of mind" (2x5:00) without "looking at"
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00)
29 Nov 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Variants on Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (3) "Blue Light at the Heart" - pick White @
forehead or blue @ heart or black below seat depending on mental state (5:00)
Shamatha #2: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (5:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x2:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x2:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Read Clarifying pp 40-42
Vipashyana #1: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00) without "looking at"
Discuss
Vipashyana #2: Online Exploring Mind: (3) "Location of mind" (5:00)
I read Clarifying pointing out: pp 40-42 (quoted portions only)
Vipashyana #3: Online Exploring Mind: (4) "Luminosity and Voidness of Mind" (2x5:00) without
"looking at"
I read Crystal Clear pp 80-82
06 Dec 09:
Merry Mahamudra! Gathering
13 Dec 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: re-read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: re-read 26-29
- Crystal: re-read pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (3:00, 5:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x3:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Read Clarifying pp 40-42
Vipashyana #1: Online Exploring Mind: (4) "Luminosity and Voidness of Mind" (3x5:00)
Can we do this without "looking at"?
Vipashyana #2: (5) Origin, Abode, Destination (3x5:00)
20 Dec 09:
Preparation:
- Guide: re-read introduction to chapter 2
- Clarifying: re-read 26-29
- Crystal: re-read pp 46-58
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (10:00, 5:00)
Vipashyana #1: DogZen9 "Pure awareness aware only of itself" (5:00)
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (5:00) - Try it with "letting go"
Vipashyana #3: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (5:00) - Try it with a smile! What happens?
Vipashyana #4: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (4:00) - Try it with a "big mind" that includes current
mental activity
Vipashyana #5 Online (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (2x5:00)
27 Dec 09:
Preparation: (nothing new to read)
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (7) "Just Sit" (10:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #1: DogZen9 "Being present" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Direct knowing" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #3: DogZen9 "Pure awareness" (4:00) - Try it with a "big mind" that includes current
mental activity
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1
Vipashyana #2: DogZen9 "Ingression of novelty" (5:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 1.
Vipashyana #4: Online (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (2x5:00)
03 Jan 10: No meeting
10 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (8:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Online Chapter 3, (1) "Shape of Thoughts" (3:00, 5:00)
Discuss
Vipashyana #1: Online Chapter 3, (3) "Location of Thoughts" (5:00)
17 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
Shamatha #1: Online Ch. 1 Resting Mind, (1) "Joyful Resting" (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Tonglen (8:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (2x3:00)
Shamatha #4: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (2x3:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipassana #1: Guided meditation based on David Deida's essay "Appreciate Dissatisfaction"
Discuss relationship between openness and loosening
Vipashyana #2: Online Chapter 3, (2) "Colors of Thoughts" (10:00)
24 Jan 10:
Preparation: same as last time
- Guide: introduction to chapter 3, EXPLORING THOUGHTS AND APPEARANCES SERIES
- Clarifying: read 29-34
- Crystal: read 58-71
"Look at mind like an entomologist looks at a bug." - Thrangu Rinpoche
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: (12:00) Physical practices (12-fold breathing, belly breathing)
Shamatha #3: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipassana #1: Guided meditation based on David Deida's essay "Appreciate Dissatisfaction"
Discuss relationship between openness and loosening
Vipashyana #2: Online Chapter 3, (5) "Origin, Abode, Destination" (3:00, 5:00, 3:00)
31 Jan 10:
Preparation:
- Read "Standing Outside"
- Read "Essential Advice"
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4:00)
Shamatha #4: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Preparation for contemplation
Vipashyana #2: Standing Outside (2x5:00)
Vipashyana #3: Online Chapter 3, (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (5:00)
07 Feb 10:
Preparation:
- Read "Standing Outside"
- Read "Essential Advice"
Shamatha #1: any favorite form (8:00)
Shamatha #2: Clarifying p23 "Tightening" (4:00)
Shamatha #3: Clarifying p25 "Loosening" (4:00)
Shamatha #4: (7) "Just Sit" (8:00)
Together read Bokar Rinpoche's pointing out instructions: section 2
Vipashyana #1: Preparation for contemplation, all parts
Vipashyana #2: "Standing Outside of the Realm of Description" (2x5:00)
Vipashyana #3: Online Chapter 3, (5) "Origin, Abode, Destination" (3:00, 5:00)
Vipashyana #4: Online Chapter 3, (6) "Self-Aware Primordial Wisdom" (5:00)
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Last updated: 31 May 10
Texts:
"Clarifying" = Clarifying the Natural State by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Rangjung Yeshe
Publications, 2001. Available at Namo Buddha Publications and Namse Bangdzo
Bookstore.
"Crystal" = Crystal Clear: Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators, Commentary by
Thrangu Rinpoche on text by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Rangjung Yeshe Publications,
2003. Available at sources above.
"Guide" = "A Meditation Guide For Mahamudra", available in PDF form online
"Pointing Out" = Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, Commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche on
text by Wangchuk Dorje, Snow Lion Publications, 2003. Available at sources above.
Other Resources:
"ACI" = "Emptiness Meditations" by Geshe Michael Roach, available online
"Aspiration" = "Aspirational Prayer for Mahamudra of Rangjung Dorje", available online.
"DogZen9" = "Nine Introductions to Awareness", available online
"Essential Advice" =" Dakpo Tashi Namgyal’s Essential Advice on Maintaining
Mahamudra Practice", available online
"Preparation" = "Preparation for Contemplation" available online
"Standing Outside" = "Standing Outside of the Realm of Description", online
"VSM" = Vipashyana Stillness Meditation, available here
"Clarifying" = Clarifying the Natural State by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Rangjung Yeshe
Publications, 2001. Available at Namo Buddha Publications and Namse Bangdzo
Bookstore.
"Crystal" = Crystal Clear: Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators, Commentary by
Thrangu Rinpoche on text by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal, Rangjung Yeshe Publications,
2003. Available at sources above.
"Guide" = "A Meditation Guide For Mahamudra", available in PDF form online
"Pointing Out" = Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, Commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche on
text by Wangchuk Dorje, Snow Lion Publications, 2003. Available at sources above.
Other Resources:
"ACI" = "Emptiness Meditations" by Geshe Michael Roach, available online
"Aspiration" = "Aspirational Prayer for Mahamudra of Rangjung Dorje", available online.
"DogZen9" = "Nine Introductions to Awareness", available online
"Essential Advice" =" Dakpo Tashi Namgyal’s Essential Advice on Maintaining
Mahamudra Practice", available online
"Preparation" = "Preparation for Contemplation" available online
"Standing Outside" = "Standing Outside of the Realm of Description", online
"VSM" = Vipashyana Stillness Meditation, available here
Weekly Practice Group Schedule During 2009-2010
"What then, is the correct Mahamudra practice? The Ordinary mind is itself the correct practice. That is to say, to let the ordinary mind remain in its own natural state. If to this mind one adds or subtracts anything, it is then not the ordinary mind but the so-called 'mind-object' [Yul]. To make not the slightest intention and effort to practice, and yet not to be distracted for a single moment, is to practice the natural mind correctly. Therefore, as long as you can keep your Self-awareness, no matter what you do, you are still practicing Mahamudra." - Thrangu Rinpoche, Six Yogas of Naropa, page 46 |