“Meditation” does not mean meditating on something; rather, it means to become familiar with the nature of our mind. (Milarepa)
“Let your mind be in its uncontrived natural state, evenly and free of effort, like a great garuḍa soaring in the sky.” (Mahāmudrā Without Letters)
This talk will be the first one in a series exploring the meaning of Mahāmudrā, explained as “the gift of pleasure” in one of Nāropa’s texts, and the role mindfulness plays in this, from the deliberate mindfulness of a beginner all the way up to “mindless Mahāmudrā.” This state of effortless and non-deliberate mindfulness that is beyond mind—simply not being distracted from the very essence of the present moment of the mind—is different from simply paying close attention to the present moment of consciousness. This will include a review of Saraha’s fourfold key teachings on Mahāmudrā, called “minding” (or “mindfullness”), “nonminding” (“mindlessness”), “being unborn,” and “beyond mind.”
The practice of Mahāmudrā provides us with tools to directly click in to the spontaneously present clarity and vast openness of our own buddha mind. In Mahāmudrā shamatha, we familiarize with this through resting the mind in its natural state, which is open, spacious, and relaxed, yet very vibrant. In Mahāmudrā vipashyana, we take a closer look at the mind when it rests in such a way and also when it starts moving and experiences external and internal objects.
By engaging in these profound practices with a genuine sense of trust in our own buddha nature and the teachers that point it out to us, the birth of unborn mind—the warm and all-pervasive glow of emptiness with a heart of compassion—can become a direct experience.
The teachings will be in English, with simultaneous translations into Chinese and Spanish.
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 2006, Karl moved to Seattle 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.
Date/Time
Date(s) - Sat., July 31, 2021
10:00 am PDT - 11:30 am PDT
Location Online
Registration
Registration is closed for this event.
