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"The nature of mind is beyond concept. To recognize this mind is to directly see the abiding nature of true reality. If we have the wisdom that realizes this nature, then we know true happiness."
Many of us have heard these heart teachings and may have a deep conceptual understanding of them, but the question is how do we then let go of the intellectual constructs and directly experience mind’s true nature? We do so by engaging the profound path of practice directly, infused with blessings.
Mahamudra is the highest meditation practice taught in the Karma Kagyü lineage, and it is pointed out that one should receive instructions from an authentic Mahamudra teacher. We are very fortunate to have our eminently qualified Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen, Nalandabodhi’s Chancellor, as our teacher for a series of three retreats on Mahamudra Vipashyana. Lama Tenpa has taught Mahamudra for many years at Nitartha Institute, Nalandabodhi, and centers around the world.
The retreats are open to everyone, although it is recommended that participants have a daily meditation practice plus some understanding of Buddhist teachings and Vajrayana. While each weekend can be attended as a standalone event, the series is intended to be an interconnected teaching on the three stages of Mahamudra Vipashyana.
Mahamudra practice, as the great master Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche points out, “is to be genuine, relaxed, and aware in every situation in life, to accept and appreciate who we are.” Through the two main types of meditation — Mahamudra Shamatha and Mahamudra Vipashyana — this experience of realizing the nature of mind will come naturally, if we keep practicing. With Mahamudra Vipashyana, we practice looking at the resting mind and the moving mind, so we can be open, free and compassionate, no matter what life brings us.
"When we practice Mahamudra Vipashyana, we investigate appearances as mind, the mind as empty, and emptiness as radiant, spontaneous presence."
The Tour of Your Mind is a series of three weekend retreats guided by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen.
Recordings for each Mahamudra Vipashyana Retreat will be made available to registrants for the duration of 3 months.
This is a wonderful chance to deepen your practice in a group setting, whether onsite or online. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of practicing together. “Individual practice is very powerful,” he says, “but group practice has a different power, which we call ‘the blessing of the sangha’.”
Everyone is encouraged to open to “the blessing of the sangha” by attending a retreat onsite. For those unable to do so, or for those who can attend one onsite but not all three, each retreat will be simulcast and recorded on Zoom. Recordings will be available till December 31 (2024).
Questions? Please send us a message: help@nalandabodhi.org
