Transformative Teaching for Our Time: Vajrayāna Buddhism & Introduction to Radically Happy
- During these four days of teaching, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche will present the ground, path, and fruition of Vajrayāna Buddhist practice. In these chaotic modern times, we encounter countless distractions, stress and anxiety. The 8th century yogic master, Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, predicted that people in this age would particularly benefit from the Vajrayāna methods. This path is said to be swift and requires few hardships, making it very appropriate for our time.
To introduce us to this practice, Rinpoche will first lay out the ground of practice by recounting the life-story of Guru Rinpoche. Understanding the vast activity and timeless nature of this key figure will open our minds to new perspectives and possibilities and allow us to drop our narrow way of thinking.
Rinpoche will then teach the path according to the Dispeller of All Obstacles (Thukdrup Barché Künsel). He uses the life-story of its revealer, Chokgyur Linpga, as told in his recent book, The Great Tertön to introduce us to the Vajrayāna’ s vast outlook. These stories encourage us to shift our normal perception and to experience the universe in a totally different way. Rinpoche will describe the training in pure perception and devotion that allows us to have this experience.
Finally, Rinpoche will explain how the fruition of the path results in effortless and ongoing activity to benefit beings. Again, he will use examples from the unbroken lineage of Chokgyur Lingpa to demonstrate the timeless and unbiased compassion that we can attain.
Throughout this retreat, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche will relate stories from the amazing lives of great lineage masters, give teachings on related supplication and aspiration prayers, and generally deepen our understanding of the ground, path, and fruition of Vajrayāna Buddhism. In his unique, fresh, and lively teaching style, Rinpoche will familiarize retreatants with two key elements of Vajrayāna practice: devotion and pure perception. He will encourage students to develop fresh perspectives, embracing an open-minded approach to daily life and meditation practice.
Phakchok Rinpoche and his co-author, Erric Solomon, will also introduce the path and techniques laid out in their forthcoming book, Radically Happy: A User’s Guide to the Mind”. In these sessions, they will work with students to explore how ancient Vajrayāna techniques can be valuable tools for anybody struggling with the challenges of our modern lives. In this portion of the retreat, Rinpoche and Erric will help us gain familiarity and confidence in a state of well-being that keeps us grounded and balanced. They will introduce exercises to help us achieve radical shifts in our daily life by adopting small shifts in our perspective. Using stories, exercises, and scientific studies, they will introduce us to the inner workings of our mind. Moreover, they will demonstrate how we are deeply interconnected with all beings– a crucial point in this age of anxiety and loneliness.The Radically Happy book will be released on October 15, 2018, and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and wherever books are sold.
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