Mahamudra Retreat – The Clear Light of Bliss
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(Individual retreat days can be attended – see below)
Even though Mahamudra meditation is a Tantric practice it is not necessary to have a Highest Yoga Tantric empowerment to attend this retreat. However, attendees should have a sincere wish to receive one in the near future in order to fully experience the profound benefits of these teachings.
Information on our January Retreat
During the whole month of January at Bodhisattva KMC we will learn the deeply relaxing and profoundly illuminating meditations on the nature of the mind – or Mahamudra. These simple and inspiring meditations have been practiced for centuries, enabling anyone to experience the natural clarity and peace of their own mind. Through training in Mahamudra meditation we can discover our potential for genuine peace of mind and happiness and find inner freedom from anxiety, fear & other painful emotions.
The Clear Light of Bliss
During this part of our January retreat we will be focusing on meditation on our subtle body – our channels, winds, and drops. These are the completion stage practices of Highest Yoga Tantra that, when motivated by compassion, enable us to experience our mind at its most subtle level – the very subtle mind, or the “clear light of bliss”. Through gaining this experience we can swiftly realise emptiness, the true nature of reality, and fully realize our spiritual potential.
For this retreat, we will use “The Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land” chanted prayers and Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra. These will be available in the shop at Bodhisattva KMC or can be purchased from www.tharpa.com.
The retreat venue
The environment of Bodhisattva KMC is very relaxing and there is plenty of time between retreat sessions to enjoy our café, to meet and chat with other retreaters and the community of Bodhisattva KMC, and to enjoy walking and gentle strolls along the Brighton and Hove sea front and promenade. The peaceful surroundings of Bodhisattva KMC help people to create a comfortable space within their own minds.
The retreat schedule
The retreat will begin Friday 20th January in the evening at 7.00 pm with an introduction and conclude on Thursday 26th January at 1.00pm with lunch. There will be four sessions of retreat each day and, to preserve the peaceful experience of the retreat, silence will be observed during the mornings.
The session times will be as follows:
Session 1: 8.00 – 9.15 am
Session 2: 11.45 am – 1.00 pm
Session 3: 4.00 – 5.15 pm
Session 4: 7.00 – 8.15 pm
Each session will consist of traditional Buddhist prayers, a short Buddhist teaching to introduce the meditation for the session, and a guided meditation. Retreaters are encouraged to attend whatever sessions they can within their own capacity and in a way that feels comfortable and natural.
Retreat Teacher
Gen Chodor is resident teacher at Bodhisattva KMC (Brighton). He has practised Kadampa Buddhism for many years. He is much loved for his relaxed and gentle nature and teaches with great clarity, insight, and wisdom skillfully guiding people to inner peace and happiness in their lives.
Fees for the retreat (7 days, 6 nights)
Course fees
Whole course (includes all food – breakfast, lunch, supper): £79.50
Per individual full day (includes lunch and supper): £11.50
Accommodation fees (per person):
Single room: £180
Twin Room: £120
Double Room: £120
Male Dormitory: £72
Female Dormitory: £72
Retreat discounts available in January
During January we have four separate weeks of Mahamudra retreat and for those people who wish to book multiple weeks the following discounts are available:
2 weeks: 20% discount
3 weeks: 30% discount
4 weeks: 40% discount
If you are booking multiple retreat weeks and would like to receive a discount please let us know in the “requests and comments section” of the booking form and we will apply the discount to your booking fee. You only need to pay a deposit of 25% to book your retreat(s) but the remaining balance (which will include your discount) must be paid on arrival.
