Calm Abiding (Zhinay) and Insight (Lhatong) Retreat

Led By: 
Lama Michael Conklin and Julia King Tamang
Location: 
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center
Date: 
Jan 27 2012 6:00pm - Jan 30 2012 12:00pm

The practice of Calm Abiding (“zhinay” in Tibetan), builds a stable foundation for the realization of Insight (“lhatong” in Tibetan) into the nature of “how things are”, the nature of mind. The union of Calm Abiding and Insight allows Mahamudra to dawn - realization free from conceptual contrivance and effort. Participants will explore selected practices from the Tibetan tradition and will learn a number of antidotes to common obstacles.

There will be some limited opportunity for personal interviews.
 
Pre-requisites
This retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced practitioners, regardless of background.
 
Participants must: 1) arrive between4 and 6 pm on Friday,  2) attend the orientation session, and  3) stay through the close of the retreat on Monday, 12 noon.
 
Recommended Readings
The following books are recommended for this retreat, but not required.  Beginners should read the chapters on shamatha within the books that are recommended for all levels:  
 
Advice to Beginners by Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche (all levels)
The Practice of Tranquility and Insight by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (all levels)
The Bridge of Quiescence by B. Alan Wallace (all levels)
Crystal Clear by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (Intermediate/Advanced)
Lamp of Mahamudra by Tsele Natsok Randrol (Intermediate/Advanced) – In particular the chapter on Shamatha, Vippasana and the union thereof
The Mahamudra Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance by the 9th Karmapa (Intermediate/Advanced) – Good for step by step practical instructions through stages of insight practice.
Pointing out the Dharmakaya by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (intermediate/advanced)—clear instructions for insight practice
 
If you order books online, please go to http://www.kcc.org/resources and then to the link to Amazon or Powell’s. Accessing Amazon or Powell’s web sites via the KCC home page allows KCC to receive a portion of the profits from such sales.
 
Registration
Cost is $300; a discounted price of $255 for KCC members of at least 3 months.
Registration Deadline: January 12th

Payment is required at the time of registration.  Registration is online:

https://kccretreats.wufoo.com/forms/calm-abiding-retreat-cloud-mountain/

Full payment must be received by January 12th.  You may pay by credit card online at the time of registration; or send a check to: Sherry Bohannan, 73 NE Monroe St., Portland, OR 97212
 
Confirmation (via email) will be sent shortly after receiving your registration form and payment. Directions to Cloud Mountain and additional detailed information will be sent approximately three weeks prior to the retreat.
 
Please promptly notify the Registrar of special accessibility needs. We will make every attempt to accommodate you.  If you have additional questions, please contact Sherry Bohannan @  sherrybohannan@comcast.net
or phone: 503-381-5669.
 
Cancellation Policy
Please review this policy carefully prior to registering. Your payment, less a $25 fee, is refundable through December 30th; less a $75 fee, is refundable through January 12th. After that, there is no refund of $150 ‘deposit’. Any payment made over and above the deposit amount is refunded in full, provided cancellation is received prior to the beginning of the retreat.
 
Individuals who do not attend and do not provide prior notification (e.g., “no-shows”) forfeit the full retreat payment ($300 or $255).  
 
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships (up to 50% of the retreat cost) are available for individuals with serious financial constraints. Preference is given to KCC members of at least three months. The number of scholarships available depends entirely on donations to the Scholarship Fund. For those who can afford it, please consider contributing to the Scholarship Fund so that others who are less financially fortunate are able to attend KCC retreats.
 
To apply for a scholarship, please review the scholarship policy http://www.kcc.org/about-kcc/governance/policies-procedures/Scholarship%20Committee%20Guidelines
 
Accommodations
Cloud Mountain offers mostly double and dormitory-style rooms. Guest rooms include electric lights, heat, single or bunk beds and small wardrobes. Toilets and hot shower facilities are in a separate building. There are flush toilets at several locations on the property.
 
Chores
Retreatants will be asked to participate in a small daily chore (for example, helping in the kitchen, cleaning, etc.), as well as helping out with final clean-up at the end of the retreat. No chores will interfere with attending scheduled meditation sessions.
 
Sponsor
Kagyu Changchub Chuling (KCC), a Dharma Center in Portland, Oregon, is sponsoring this retreat. KCC was founded in 1976 by the Very Venerable Kalu Rinpoche, one of the eminent meditation masters of modern Tibet and a holder of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages. The mission of KCC is to make the teachings of these lineages accessible for all practitioners, whether they are just beginning to investigate Buddhism or are long-time students.