Kagyu Samye Dzong London News

March 2009

Contents

1. Inner Potential, Inner Peace with Lama Zangmo
2. Holistic Day, Sun 15th March
3. Mindfulness
4. Residential Volunteer Opportunities 2009-2010: Join the Team!
5. Forthcoming Events

News in Brief

1 - Inner Potential, Inner Peace with Lama Zangmo

In his book "Taming the Tiger", Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche writes:

"We should aim to have peace in our minds. Each of us should take responsibility for what we say, do or think in the way that an ambassador should for the country he represents. To be at peace, we have to cultivate our own selves. If we develop peace inside, it will be something we no longer have to search for outside, and others will benefit from our example. When the mind has fully developed peace, we will not react negatively, no matter what happens.

At the moment, this may seem to be a very difficult task for us, but we should understand there is nothing in this world that cannot be changed. Since our perception of the environment is conditioned by our own minds, we can overcome all suffering and achieve happiness. We learn neither to run away from the former, nor cling to the latter, aware that both states are equally subjective and impermanent. Instead we aim to develop a tranquility that is beyond ordinary sorrow and joy."

Lama Zangmo will be leading the weekend course "Inner Potential, Inner Peace" on the weekend of the 21st-22nd March, 10.00 - 4.00 pm, £55. To book your place now, contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

2 - Holistic Day - Sun 15th Mar, 11am- 6pm

A perfect opportunity to get a taster session of the complementary therapies we offer at the centre.

There will be individual treatments available for: reflexology shiatsu acupuncture massage and many others therapies. Classes in Yoga, Meditation, Qi Gong and Self Defence will also be held at intervals throughout the day. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available and everyone is welcome.

The average cost per treatment is £8. You will also have the chance to have a look at our new shop where you will find all kinds of gifts such as incense, prayer wheels, singing bowls, books, meditation cushions and much more.

To see some photos from the last Holistic Day, just click here.

3 - Mindfulness weekend - Sarah Lionheart

In his book "Taming the Tiger", Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche writes:

Much of the suffering we encounter in our lives is caused by our lack of mindfulness. Every day our ignorance and limited awareness daily give rise to problems and difficult situations. Yet if we are mindful the unwholesome will neither be neglected nor wasted. If we train ourselves in the practice of mindfulness, we find that all situations become easier to deal with, the work that we do becomes more fruitful, and all other aspects of our lives become richer and more worthwhile.

A simple, clear awareness applied to all our experience, as we are living it, will free us from the emotional errors that are the cause of so much confusion and suffering. So whenever unwholesome tendencies arise and threaten to find expression, we slow down, steady ourselves, and try just to do one thing at a time, thoroughly and completely. That is mindfulness.

Sarah Lionheart will be leading a weekend course on Mindfulness on the weekend of the 28th-29th March, 10.00 - 4.00 pm, £55. To book your place now, contact the office at Manor Place by phone on 020-7708 8969 or by email.

4 - Residential Volunteer Opportunities, 2009-10: Join the Team!

Some of you may remember scenes like this - well expect more! Subject to contract, we will be buying a grade 2 listed building which will become our permanent London centre. The building is substantially bigger than our current centre in Manor Place. It is in good condition, but will still require renovation to transform it into a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre for World Peace and Health. We are looking for volunteers who can commit for a length of time and we are especially keen to recruit those skilled in general building work, painting and decorating, electrical work, plumbing, plastering, and cooking for large numbers. That said, anyone with time and enthusiasm is welcome to help us for periods long and short.

We will have a limited amount of residential accommodation available, free-of-charge, for volunteers and we will, of course, provide three substantial meals a day to keep you going (not to mention limitless cups of tea)! For more details, and to discuss these opportunities informally, contact the Kagyu Samye Dzong office by email or phone 020-7708 8969.

5 - Forthcoming events

To see the full programme of activities at the Centre, please click here to visit the website

MARCH

GURU RINPOCHE INSTRUCTIONS:
With Gelongma Kunzang
Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st March. 10am-4pm.
£55
The aim of this weekend is to provide preparation for the Guru Rinpoche Drubcho in April and for the monthly Guru Rinpoche Tsok Puja. Ani Kunzang will go through the text, giving guidance on chanting, visualisation, mantra recitation, music and offerings, so that by the end of the weekend everyone will be able to follow the Drubcho and the monthly puja schedule with ease.
Please note As this is a specifically Buddhist practice, anyone wishing to take part in this weekend of teaching should have received the initiation and authorisation for this practice. Please bring a copy of the text (available from the shop), notebook, pen and pencil.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
Tues 3rd and Tues 10th Mar, 7pm-8:30pm.
£18
This two evening course will give a basic introduction to meditation techniques. Suitable for all, whether Buddhist or non- Buddhist. Ideal for beginners.

NGONDRO PRACTICE DAY
Sat 7th Mar, 10am-4pm.
Free.
An opportunity for those engaged in the practice of the Preliminaries, or Ngondro, to come and practice together. The morning session will be devoted to the recitation of Dorje Sempa, and the afternoon session to Mandala Offering. Bring mandala plate and rice.

MEDICINE BUDDHA PUJA
Sun 8th Mar, 7pm-8pm.
Free. Everybody welcome

VOLUNTEER DAY
Sat 14th Mar. From 10am onwards.
Come and help with some jobs around the centre, preparing and setting up for the Holistic Day. Lunch and plenty of tea provided. Please let us know in advance if you can come. Contact the office by email or phone 020-7708 8969.

HOLISTIC DAY
Sun 15th Mar, 11am- 6pm.
Free entry.
A perfect opportunity to get a taster session of the complementary therapies we offer at the centre. There will be individual treatments on reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture, massage and many others therapies. Classes in Yoga, Meditation, Qi Gong and Self Defence will also be held at intervals throughout the day. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available and everyone is welcome. The average cost per treatment is £8. You will also have the chance to have a look at our new shop where you will find all kinds of gifts such as incense, prayer wheels, singing bowls, books, meditation cushions and much more. A good day out for the family.

INNER POTENTIAL INNER PEACE:
with Lama Zangmo
Sat 21st Mar and Sun 22nd Mar. 10am-4pm.
£55
Universal basic goodness refers to how we are all in essence pure. The challenge is to face ourselves, and then to embark on a journey of personal growth and discovery to develop our potential. The day will be a combination of instructions and meditation, suitable for all. Bring lunch to share.

GURU RINPOCHE TSOK PUJA
Sun 29th Mar, 7pm-8:30pm.
Free. Everybody welcome.
Offerings of fruit and flowers for the Tsok Pujas are welcome.

MINDFULNESS
with Sarah Lionheart
Sat 28th Mar and Sun 29th Mar. 10am-4pm.
£55
Practicing mindfulness helps to reduce stress and makes one feel at ease. By cultivating a way of being that helps us to work effectively with the difficulties that life throws at us at all levels, we are able to take care of ourselves so that we can live healthier and happier lives.
If you pay attention in a non-judgemental way to what is happening in your mind and your body and around you, you will develop mindfulness. People report lasting benefits, such as an increased ability to relax and feel at ease; greater enthusiasm and sense of well being; greater energy; more self confidence and being able to cope more effectively with short and long term stressful situations.
Sarah has been training in Mindfulness since 1985 and has been teaching it since 1989. She is an experienced teacher and is much in demand in Britain and Europe.

APRIL

VOLUNTEER DAY
Sun 5th April
10am onwards
Come and share some jobs around the centre and have fun. Lunch, plenty of tea and good company provided. In April we need willing volunteers to help prepare for the Guru Rinpoche Drubcho. Please let us know in advance if you can come.

GURU RINPOCHE DRUBCHO
7 April - 13 April, 10.00-5.30 pm daily
Free
Join us for the annual Guru Rinpoche Drubcho. This is a week-long intensive practice performed to overcome obstacles in our own minds and in the environment.
It is said that participating in the Drubcho brings great merit and benefit, so we hope that everyone can be a part of this special event. You can do this by attending the Drubcho, by volunteering to help, by making Tsok offerings of fruit, nuts, biscuits etc. or making a donation.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION
14 April - 19 May (6 evenings)
Tuesdays 7pm - 8.30pm
£45
Meditation is one of the greatest skills we can acquire to help us lead happy and peaceful lives. This course will provide pure and simple instructions on all aspects of meditation. Perfect for complete beginners or those wanting to refresh their meditation practice.

LUCID DREAMING
With Charlie Morley
14th April - 2nd June
Tuesday evenings 7pm - 8.30pm
£60
This 8 week course will include an overview of the history, science and practice of lucid dreaming from both the Western scientific and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, but the emphasis will be on learning how to lucid dream through a variety of proven techniques. Lucid dreaming is an important precursory skill to the Tibetan tradition of Dream Yoga and these teachings offer a practical way to learn this skill. Lama Yeshe Losal  has personally authorised Charlie to teach on this subject. The course is open to all.

INTRODUCTION TO SHRINE ROOM DECORATION METHODS AND MATERIALS
With Yeshe Dorje
15 April – 3 Jun (8 evenings)
Wednesdays 6.30pm - 8.00pm
£60 (Concessions available)
This on-going evening class, suitable for beginners as well as experienced artists, is for those interested in joining the painting team decorating the shrine rooms at the new KSDL centre.
The emphasis of this in-depth course will be development of practical skills along with explanations of the methods and materials used by generations of Tibetan artists. Participants will develop confidence and competence in this centuries-old craft.

This newsletter goes out to those who have expressed an interest in Kagyu Samye Dzong London. It covers news of the efforts and progress towards finding and funding a new site for the centre, and other events taking place in the coming weeks Being on this mailing list is not compulsory. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, or would like it to be sent to a different email address, please use the links at the bottom of the newsletter.

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