Vipashyana: Exploring the Nature of Mind (7-day Zoom)

In the Kagyu tradition, we practice in the Mahamudra tradition where the main practices are shamatha and vipashyana. On this 3-day retreat we will explore the vipashyana techniques where we systematically investigate the nature of mind and its contents. Through these meditations, we confront our assumptions about mind, thoughts, and perceptions, and in time, with committed practice, we can experience insight about their nature.

In general, before beginning vipashyana practice, a good foundation of shamatha or resting meditation is important. Through shamatha meditation, we gain some space from the onslaught of thoughts and other mental phenomena that continually stir up our minds, and we begin to experience some settling of mental busyness and an enhancement of meditative awareness. This practice is wonderful and critical, but shamatha will never lead to liberation. For that we must practice vipashyana where we look into the nature of mind and its contents. A skillful way to approach vipashyana practice is to alternate between shamatha and the investigations of vipashyana, and this is the approach that we will take in this retreat.

Who Should Attend

Vipashyana can be challenging and is probably not the right retreat for those who have not been consistently practicing shamatha for some years. If you are not sure if it is right for you, contact Lama Eric or Lama Sonam.

Location

We plan to offer this as a hybrid retreat—both in-person at Ser Chö Ösel Ling (SCOL) and over Zoom; this will depend on technological circumstances.

The three-day and the seven-day retreats are separate events. If you are interested in the in-person retreat, please register for only one of the two retreats to allow as many retreatants as possible to participate at the retreat land.

Suggested Reading

The teachings will loosely follow the book Clarifying the Natural State by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal. There is a commentary on this work by Thrangu Rinpoche published as Crystal Clear. These will be available in the KCC bookstore prior to the retreat. Contact Nicole Seals, bookstore manager, at Nicole@kcc.org if you would like to purchase them. Both of these books are available in PDF format for $1.25 each at Namo Buddha Publications.

Daily Schedule

Tuesday, April 12  (evening only)
5:30 – 7:00 pm dinner
7:00 – 7:45 pm – orientation and evening session

Wednesday-Monday, April 13-18
6:30 – 7:30 am
9:00 – 10:30 am
11:00 – 12:00 pm
2:30 – 4:00 pm
4:30 – 5:30 pm
7:00 – 7:45 pm

Tuesday, April 19
6:30 – 7:30 am
7:30 – 8:30 am breakfast (optional)