Journey Into The Heart
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Guided Retreat : Friday 15th – 21st January 2016
(Individual days can be attended)
On this more advanced retreat we will be focusing on deepening our experience of Migtsema mantra recitation and Mahamudra meditation.
The Migtsema mantra is a revered Kadampa Buddhist mantra and through its recitation we can increase our innate compassion, wisdom, and spiritual power. Transmitted to Je Tsongkhapa by the Wisdom Buddha Manjushri this mantra is very blessed and is very important for fulfilling one’s own and others wishes and contains the meaning of all Buddha’s eighty four thousand teachings.
With the inspiration of the Migtsema prayer we will also be practising Mahamudra meditation. Mahamudra, or meditating on the nature of our own mind, is a practice that helps us to reduce distractions, improve our concentration, and connect us with our potential for deep inner peace.
Buddha said, “If you realise your own mind you will become a Buddha, you should not seek Buddhahood elsewhere”. His meaning is that true happiness cannot be found outside of our mind in our external world. It can only be found within our mind. Mahamudra meditation takes us on an inner journey to realising our own mind and discovering our own true source of happiness from within.
The Migtsema mantra recitation and Mahamudra meditation will be practised within the context of the Kadampa Buddhist “Heart Jewel” prayers. These prayers remove negativity from our mind and nourish us with positive energy and inspiration.
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 15th January in the evening at 7.30 pm with an introduction and conclude on Thursday 21st 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 – 9.30 am
Session 2: 11.30 am – 1.00 pm
Session 3: 4.00 – 5.30 pm
Session 4: 7.30 – 9.00 pm
Each session will consist of Heart Jewel Buddhist prayers, a short Buddhist teaching to introduce the meditation for the session, and a guided meditation.
Retreaters are are encouraged to attend whatever sessions they can within their own capacity and in a way that feels comfortable and natural.
