Shamatha & Mindfulness Easter Long Weekend Retreat

HELD AT KAMALASHILA TIBETAN BUDDHIST CENTRE
28-31 March 2024

Thank you Khenpo la and the two Venerables, as well as the volunteers who assisted in making this retreat a time of reflection and connection for all who attended. The understanding of commitment to practice and the sharing of wisdom and insights continues to assist us in our everyday lives. 
~ Jacqueline

I really enjoyed the Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat. The meditation part of the retreat was very relaxing and calming, as we listened to Khenpo la guide us through with his words of wisdom. I did find the session after lunch extremely hard, it felt very long, and I couldn’t help my mind to focus, it was just wandering around. Noble silence for half of each day was quite enjoyable with not having to think about what people are saying or feel like I had to start a conversation with someone. The lunch break was very nice though, because people were able to speak again and have a conversation. I really liked how everything was very open and you could ask questions about anything. My favourite part of the retreat was on the last evening, the sun was setting over the hills making the sky dance with colours of pinks and reds, as everyone sat around the fire and did a meditation session together. I had a great time and will definitely do it again. 
~ Lauren H.

Realising that I have no need to continue to look back at my past, due to learning that the past is essentially dead and by not projecting and looking into the future because it is unborn; I can remain in the present. By practising Shamatha and being grateful for what I have I will be more peaceful and thus more joyful. In this way, my life will be easier to navigate, especially in this ever fast and changing world. To be calm, happy, and clear minded, I will have a far better chance of remaining sovereign to my own mind, not being pulled in every direction. By understanding my own mind better, I will have a much better chance of understanding others. 
~ Andrew M.

At the Shamatha & Mindfulness Retreat, Easter Long Weekend, Khenpo la began by explaining how we can apply these teachings in our lives to help ease difficulties in coping with this ever-changing world. We can develop gratefulness in realising and to constantly contemplate, to learn in having awareness of this precious opportunity we all have in being in a human form, for this likened to having a unique power to potentially help countless sentient beings to create an undisturbed and peaceful mind through Shamatha meditation.

Khenpo la explained the meaning of the Triple Gem of course in such a beautiful way. The Buddha was able to diagnose any problem in order to offer a Dharmic treatment. In reality we don’t actually know ourselves, so in knowing our limitations this will bring one happiness. The Buddha is not just to worship, for the teachings offer us a way to study so we can understand ourselves.

The Dharma is of wisdom and having a compassionate mind, for the task of wisdom is to free us from our negative mind. The ultimate object of refuge is residing in wisdom and compassion.

The Sangha is a friend that helps us in virtuous ways, in positive ways. To stay in this state no matter where you are in the world whether in your home on your meditation cushion or even in an unsafe place.

Khenpo la went through the nine stages of Shamatha meditation, going through the important Vairocana posture and its crucial importance of how our veins and oxygen work so we know why to practise this posture, what are the common objects of meditation and the sacred objects of our Shamatha meditation.

On the final day, Khenpo la offered all retreatants a most exquisite teaching on Mindfulness carrying on from the Shamatha meditation teachings, incorporating the three vows, protecting the mind (tenpa) through remembering the instructions and antidotes, to remember with a wisdom aspect. Explaining the Four Wrong Views, combined with the Four Noble Truths, including wonderful teachings on the Eightfold Noble Path.

It was a glorious retreat, also enjoying some walking meditations led by Venerable Tsultim and Ayya Jayasara. Such a special weekend of the precious teachings seeing new and returning students. Once more a most heart-felt gratitude to our most precious teacher, Khenpo la for an absolutely inspiring and moving three days of learning and hearing the treasured Buddhadharma. And to all involved with organising, delicious cooking and to all attendees. 
~ Lael