The Nine Stages of Shamatha Meditation
| Date | November 6-8, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM |
| Location | Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY |
| Instructors | Lama Dudjom Dorjee |
| Cost | $140, see details below |
| Registration | Pre-registration required, see details below |
Shamatha Meditation is an important part of practice from the Buddhist perspective. The ultimate benefit of Shamatha practice is attainment of the arhat state, also called self-liberation. According to this direct teaching of the Buddha, one can overcome the root of our afflictive emotions and achieve the perfection of ultimate liberation through this practice. Meditation must be the core of one’s practice. From the very first moment a person realizes it is necessary to embark on a spiritual path until the moment when liberation has been attained, meditation must never be set aside. Through the practice of Shamatha one will gradually experience attainments in Vipasyana, also known as insight meditation, until eventually they come to experience the perfection of the arhat state.
The Seven Points of Vairochana Dharma Gestures: Physical Posture: In order to become an advanced Shamatha meditator, we must begin to harmonize the physical body with mind and the energetic body. The Seven Points of Vairochana Dharma Gestures provide a method to harmonize the mental, physical, and energetic bodies with the Mother Earth. When we synthesize the physical positioning of the body with meditation then we are able to sit comfortably in a state of relaxation and tranquility. There are three distinct types of Shamatha: Form Meditation, Formless Meditation, and Natural State/Equanimity Meditation. There are three types of experience you will have during meditation: resting mind, changing mind, and observing mind. The experience of resting the mind is one in which the mind is not influenced by any positive or negative notions. Gradually one becomes able to rest the mind, which in turn allows one to also begin to recognize the changing mind. Recognition of the changing mind is a state within which the mind becomes aware that it is influenced by various thoughts. The experience of the observing mind not only recognizes both the resting mind and the changing mind, but it also recognizes the mind itself. This is called the cultivation of witness consciousness. This final realization is the ultimate accomplishment of the perfection of Shamatha Meditation.
Lama Dudjom Dorjee was chosen by His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa to guide the Karma Thegsum Choling students in northern California. He began teaching in the United States in 1982 and is now the resident Lama at the Karma Thegsum Choling in Dallas, Texas. Lama Dorjee is noted for his humor and ability to synthesize his familiarity with Western culture and Buddhist philosophy, thereby offering students unique insights into meditation practice. He trained for fifteen years in Buddhist philosophy, history, and four languages: Sanskrit, Hindi, Tibetan and English, and completed his course of study, receiving the third and highest degree of Acharya from the Sanskrit University in Varansi, India. Lama Dorjee also accomplished the three-year, three-month retreat in India under the guidance of Kalu Rinpoche and other Kagyu lamas.
Location
Aurora Street House, Namgyal Monastery, Ithaca, NY (address and directions).
Cost
The cost for the weekend intensive is $140, and includes a simple breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a catered vegetarian dinner on Saturday.
Senior Discount
15 percent
Registration
To register, please contact Namgyal with your full name, address, telephone number, and email (optional).
Payment
Please make your personal check, money order, or bank cashier's check payable to “Namgyal Monastery” and send to our mailing address.
For payment by credit card, please register first and then process your payment through the “Donate to Namgyal Ithaca” link on our Supporting Namgyal page. In the Comments field of the Payment Form, enter the name of the event for which you are paying.
Schedule of Activities
Friday 11/6
7:00 - 8:30 PM: Introductory talk
(Free and open to the public - Donations are welcomed)
Saturday 11/7
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two
Noon - 2:00 PM: Lunch break
2:00 - 3:15 PM: Session three
3:15 - 3:30 PM: Tea break
3:30 - 5:00 PM: Session four
5:15 - 6:30 PM: Catered vegetarian dinner
Sunday 11/8
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Simple breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Session one
10:15 - 10:30 AM: Tea break
10:30 AM - Noon: Session two