Tonglen Retreat

Led By: 
Lama Michael
Location: 
Cloud Mountain, WA
Date: 
Oct 22 2010 6:00pm - Oct 25 2010 12:00pm

 

As you turn the mind from personal benefit toward the welfare of others, compassion beyond ordinary sentimentality develops. As you let go of personal projections & territory, insight into the true nature of phenomena becomes possible. The union of these two is liberation itself. 

 

In the practice of mind training, as we turn our habitual focus from our own interests, perception is more clear, and we surrender to "things as they are" more willingly. Using the aphorisms of the "7-Point Mind Training" as focal points, we meet ordinary situations in a context of continuous meditation and attention to our moment by moment conduct, thus making every situation practice. The eventual fruit is the realization of non-self, and compassion beyond the narrow boundaries of sentimentality and pity.

 

The retreat includes formal instruction in meditation and contemplation practices specific to the "Mind Training" tradition. The emphasis in this tradition is the application of dharma to everyday life. Rather than calcifying practice into rote learning, liturgical chanting, or a series of set responses and practices, this system leads individuals to the employment of intelligence and compassion in every aspect of their life.

 

There will be some limited opportunity for personal interviews.

 

Pre-requisites

This retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced practitioners, regardless of background. If you have not been to this retreat before, it is necessary to contact Lama Michael before registering:conklin@kcc.org – or – 503-890-4243.

  

Participants must: 1) arrive between 4 and 7 pm on Friday, 2) attend the orientation session, and 3) stay through the close of the retreat on Monday, 12:00 noon

 

Recommended Readings

The following books are recommended for this retreat, but not required:

 

Buddhism with an Attitude, by Alan Wallace

Start Where You Are, by Pema Chodron

The Four Immeasurables, by Alan Wallace

 

If you order books online please go to http://kcc.org/resources and then type the name of the book you are looking for into the Amazon or Powell’s search box. Accessing Amazon or Powell’s web sites via the KCC website allows KCC to receive a portion of the profits from such sales.  

 

Registration

Cost: $260 with a discounted price of $225 for KCC members of at least 3 months

Registration Deadline: October 12

 

A Deposit of $130 is required at the time of registration. The balance must be received by October 12th. Please send your completed registration form, along with your deposit, to Sherry Bohannan, 73 NE Monroe St., Portland, OR 97212

 

Registration Forms can be found at the KCC Urban Center or at the bottom of this page.  

 

Confirmation (via email) will be sent shortly after receiving your registration form and deposit. 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, email: sherrybohannan@comcast.net or phone: 503-381-5669

 

Cancellation Policy

Please review this policy carefully prior to registering. The deposit, less a $10 fee, is refundable through October 2nd; the deposit, less a $55 fee, is refundable through October 12. After October 12, there is no refund of the 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 ($240 or $205).  

 

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 and include a letter briefly stating your financial circumstances, the amount you are requesting and your history as a practitioner with your completed registration form and deposit.

 

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.

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CMOCT10 registration form.doc36.5 KB