Karmê Chöling : Meditation Retreat Center

What Is Milarepa Day?

Milarepa Day is when we celebrate the extraordinary life story and enlightenment of one of Tibet's most revered Buddhist saints. On this day, we chant from The Rain of Wisdom, a compilation of "songs of realization" from the great meditators of the Kagyu lineage. Milarepa’s wisdom and teachings were passed down through these songs which are expressions of deep insight into the nature of mind and the path to enlightenment. Their beauty and intensity have made them famous in Tibetan literature. This collection was first compiled by Mikyo Dorje, the eighth Karmapa and then translated into English by the Nalanda Translation Committee under the supervision of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

All levels of meditators welcomed!
This half-day meditation retreat is an opportunity to "just sit" and steep in mindfulness practice. The main practice will be sitting meditation known as shamatha or peaceful abiding. We will alternate periods of sitting with walking meditation and brief Dharma readings. This is an opportunity to deepen your meditation and be able to practice with a community of meditators. Deepening in mindfulness meditation is appropriate for beginners to experienced meditators.

Beginning meditation instruction available
If you are new to meditation or have questions you would like to ask a meditation instructor, we will provide meditation instruction apart from the main group. With meditation instruction we give detailed directions on both basic sitting meditation and a "zen-style" walking meditation technique. We will talk a little about the view and understanding of meditation as well as go over some "best practices". This will provide you a good foundation on which to base an ongoing, consistent meditation practice at home. You'll have the opportunity to ask any meditation questions you might have in this instruction period.
You are welcomed and encouraged to join the main group in the shrine room afterwards.

## General Schedule

• 8:45: Arrive at Karmê Chöling and settle in
• 9:00 - 9:30 Beginning Meditation Instruction in an instruction room

OR

• 9:00 – 12:30 Community meditation practice in the shrine room. You don't need to stay for the entire period but can leave if you need to during the walking periods.

These morning sessions will include:

• Opening chants
• Mindfulness meditation sitting practice
• Walking meditation
• Selected readings
• 12:30 – 1:00 pm Lunch (by donation of $15) This is a great time to socialize and get to know the group of people you've been practicing with!
• Afternoon practice - space is available if you would like to continue meditation practice on your own.

This program is offered free but we do need you to register
Registration is needed so we can anticipate how many will be here, the number of people who will need instruction, who will stay for lunch and so on.

The Sadhana of Mahamudra was written by Chögyam Trungpa Rinopche, with the intent of overcoming the physical, psychological and spiritual obstacles that materialism poses to us in this modern age.
Through relating with the vibrant imagery presented in the Sadhana, as well as actively participating in the chanting, visualization, and recitation of mantras, we invoke a basic sense of sanity and clarity. When we commit to this wakefulness it profoundly impacts not only our meditation practice but our everyday lives and the broader world around us.
Join the Karmê Chöling household for the Sadhana of Mahamudra during our evening practice session on the new moon. The sadhana takes most of the hour with an abbreviated list of closing chants at the end.