Naropa’s Synopsis of Mahamudra with Mitra Dean Karl Brunnhölzl

Part III of More than Mindfulness—Mindless Mahāmudrā

Please Note: This is the third talk in a series on Mahamudra by Mitra Dean Karl Brunnhölzl. When you register for this talk you will receive an email with the Zoom link for this upcoming talk. To view the previous talks at a discounted rate please click here.

Third talk

In this third talk in a series exploring the meaning and practice of Mahāmudrā—explained as “the gift of pleasure” in one of Nāropa’s texts—we will focus on this mahāsiddha’s brief Synopsis of Mahāmudrā. It is said that Nāropa often taught Mahāmudrā by using this song, which he initially sang to his chief Tibetan disciple Marpa Lotsāwa Chökyi Lodrö. Nāropa’s song teaches the view as appearances, awareness, and their unity being mahāmudrā. Meditation is explained as the basic nature, the manner of realization, and their unity being mahāmudrā. Conduct is discussed as being free in itself, equal taste, and their inseparability being mahāmudrā. The fruition is described as what can possibly appear and is free in itself, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, and the ultimate all being mahāmudrā.

Mindless Mahamudra?

In the previous two talks Mitra Karl Brunnhölzl introduced us to the meaning of “mindfulness” and “mahamudra.” He pointed out that in Mahamudra practice “we are trying to look at the nature of what is going on in the mind. No matter whether this mind seems to be resting or still, or whether it seems to be moving.” This is beyond the common understanding of mindfulness. Mitra Karl shared that the message, referring to the teachings of Saraha, is rather to go beyond mind. For that reason, this series is also called More than mindfulness – Mindless Mahamudra. If you did not attend the first and / or second talk, or wish to review them, you can register here to watch both talks for a discounted price.

Register for the recordings

We wish you will join us for this third talk to go deeper into the ocean, trying to look at the nature of what is actually going on in our mind.

About The Teacher

Mitra Karl was born in Munich, Germany, and originally trained as a physician before becoming a Buddhist translator and teacher. After  completing five-years of training in Buddhist philosophy, he went on to receive Buddhist and Tibetan language training, as well as study Tibetology, Buddhology, and Sanskrit. In 1989, Karl began serving as a translator, interpreter, and Buddhist teacher in Europe, India, and Nepal. He is the author and translator of several Buddhist books, including The Center of the Sunlit Sky, The Heart Attack Sutra, and A Lullaby to Awaken the Heart.

Mitra Karl first met Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche in 1986 during Rinpoche’s first European teaching tour. He served as Rinpoche’s personal translator during his tours in Europe from 1999 to 2005. In 2021, Karl moved back to Germany where he currently works as a Tibetan and Sanskrit translator.

Mitra Dean Karl supervises Nalandabodhi’s Path of Study courses, leads Path of Study classes, presents weekend courses and open house talks, offers teachings to practice communities, and provides personal guidance as a Practice Instructor. He also teaches weekend seminars and courses at Nalandabodhi centers in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Mitra Karl is especially enthusiastic about the teachings on Mahamudra, Dzogchen, Yogacara, Buddha Nature, and the doha (songs of realization) tradition. Currently, Karl is focused on translating the collection of Indian Mahamudra texts compiled by the Seventh Karmapa, which includes the vast majority of songs of realization in the Tibetan canon.

For questions about this event email help@nalandabodhi.org.