Meditation is not meditating "on" anything, it is instead a process of becoming familiar with the nature of our minds, with our thoughts and emotions. Through meditation, we can train our minds to be calm and free ourselves from negative thoughts and emotions. We can experience inner peace of mind and panoramic awareness in our everyday lives.
The Nalandabodhi practice path provides a wealth of techniques to guide our meditation. These methods of meditation are presented in written instructions, and explained and conveyed experientially through the oral instructions of a teacher or a practice instructor (PI).
Practice Instructors (PIs) are Nalandabodhi practitioners who have been students of Buddhism for some time, have completed their ngondro practices and the Study Path curriculum, and have made a strong aspiration to benefit the Nalandabodhi sangha by working with others as a guide to their practice. They have also been trained and approved by The Dzgochen Ponlop Rinpoche (NBI) to do this work.
At Nalandabodhi it is customary for each person to have either a PI, or a Practice "buddy," depending on the situation and level of practice. We encourage one another to practice and to discuss practice with each other. Although PIs are intended for Nalandabodhi members only, non-members can request to have a PI for six months in order to help them determine if they would like to become a member of Nalandabodhi.
The Nalandabodhi practice path begins with a basic resting meditation practice called calm-abiding or shamatha. While shamatha meditation is common to several spiritual traditions and has many techniques, all forms of shamatha are designed to help calm the mind and bring forth its natural qualities of spaciousness, clarity and attentiveness. Practice Instructors (PI) work with newer students to determine which technique is most beneficial and at what point to introduce another shamatha practice. For basic instructions on how to meditate, see "How to Meditate" (NBI) on the Nalandabodhi International website.
Shamatha meditation practice is open to everyone and occurs every Sunday from 9-11am at Dzogchen Cottage. ( Every 4th Sunday of the month meditation practice is from 9-10:30am) Approximatley 45 minutes of sitting is followed by a 15 minute walking meditation. If you would like meditation instruction, or if this is your first time practicing with us, please contact Neil.
Refer to the Boulder Calendar page to see when the next Shamatha Meditation Practice session occurs.
This practice relates to both Green and White Tara and includes beautiful songs and verses composed by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.
"Not only is supplicating Arya Tara beneficial for clearing away immediate obstacles for individuals who have entered the paths to liberation and omniscience; supplicating Arya Tara helps to clear away all hinderances and obstacles related to achieving the ultimate goals. If you are a person who has entered and is practicing the path, then supplicating Arya Tara helps dispel all obstacles you are facing that get in the way of making your practice fruitional. Arya Tara also clears away obstacles of all those with whom we have connections, our friends, our relatives, our partners and so on, anyone for whom we wish that they be free of illness, negative spirits, and other obstacles. When you supplicate Arya Tara you will receive her blessing." - The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
This Practice occurs on the 5th Sunday of the month (when applicable). Participants must have received the lung in order to attend, however, the lung can be administered by request. Contact Neil if you would like to receive the lung. Open to anyone!
Refer to the Boulder Calendar page to see when the next Tara practice will occur.
Konchok Chidu, meaning "Embodiment of the Three Jewels", is a sadhana of Guru Rinpoche, with a commentary by Jamgon Kontrol Lodro Thaye. It includes an outer, inner, secret and long-life practice as well as an amending fire offering and feast practice.
Participants must have received the lung in order to attend, however, the lung can be administered upon request. Contact Neil if you would like to receive the lung. Open to anyone!
Refer to the Boulder Calendar page to see when the next Konchok Chidu will occur.
The meditation and recitation of Vajrasattva is renowned as supreme among all forms of purification practice employed in Tibetan Buddhism. This practice will help to engender more compassion for others, as well as more insight into the true nature of all beings and all things, and this compassion and insight will naturally and spontaneously lead to the accomplishment of our own and others relative and ultimate benefit.
This practice and feast is restricted to authorized students who have received abhisheka (empowerment) for the Vajrasattva sadhana from The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.
Refer to the Boulder Calendar page to see when the next Vajrasattva Feast will occur.
Lung - (tibetan: rlung): A subtle flow of energy that is most closely connected with air. (Out of the five elements air, water, fire, earth and space.) The function of lung is to help growth, movement of the body, exhalation and inhalation to aid the function of mind, speech and body.
Abhisheka(skt.) - (tibetan:wang) A characteristic feature of Vajrayana Buddhism is the requisite ritual for participating in the worship, service and practice (Skt.: sadhana) of a deity or bodhisattva. A qualified lama with experience in the particular practice confers on others the description, explanation, visualization and order of the practice, along with appropriate offerings and specific mantras. It is a lineage transmission of blessing and energy. The empowerment or initiation grants permission, bestows help with, and gives access to, the benefits of a tantric practice.
