Mexico Sarasvati-Meditation / Anapanasati Sutra
In *** MEXICO CITY ONLY FOR THIS RETREAT ***
Contact Fanny for Mexico retreat details and to register. *** Escondido program will be scheduled later in the year. ***
Ven. Ani Chodron will teach an ancient Technique of Meditation developing Mindfulness of breath, based on Anapanasati Sutta, the origin of which comes from the Buddha himself. The practice of Mindfulness of breath is revived in the Drikung Kagyu Tradition thanks to efforts of H.H. The Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup. This course will also include instructions and techniques of His Holiness given in the course of Shravasti Meditation Retreat to his disciples, and in particular recieved by Ani Chodron in the teacher’s Sharvasti course she attended in Sharvasti India with His Holiness in November 2023.
According to the text, the practice consists of four Progressive Meditation Stages starting from Meditation on coarse sensations of the body by observing the mind. During the meditation sessions we will also experience Tibetan Yoga exercises recommended by His Holiness, which clean the channels, calm the winds and make meditation stable and clear.
For beginner meditators we will cover the basics of meditation posture, sitting techniques and use of the meditation belt.
THE FOUR PROGRESSIVE STAGES OF MEDITATION (AS PER ANAPANASATI SUTRA)
During meditation the exercises with mindful breathing go from the most coarse levels (phenomena) to the more subtle ones.
So the first object of mindfulness starts with observation and meditation on body – discerning and placing mind on short/long breathes, the whole body, calmimg body formations.
The next stage – second more subtle object of meditation is the observation of feelings – we learn to clearly discern mental fabrications and then learn to deal with them, calm them.
The third stage even more subtle, contemplation of the mind – we observe, experience our own mind, stabilize it and then release.
The fourth stage is contemplation on the mental objects based on the experience gained in the previous stages. We meditate on impermanence, absence of mental grasping, cessation, abandonment.
Thus, the meditation of four progressive stages according to Anapanasati sutra involves different styles of meditation and gives guidance to meditators of all levels, at the same time being clearly defined and utilizing meditative experiences gained during previous stages.
Buddha said, “When the mind is realized, that itself is wisdom. Thus, do not search Buddha elsewhere.”
His Holiness The Drikung Kyabgon Thinley Lhundup has introduced this meditation as an easy but comprehensive mind training approach following the Sutra of Mindfulness of Breathing taught by the Buddha in Shravasti while illuminating and supplementing it with teachings and techniques from Vipassana, Zen, and Mahamudra & Dzogchen traditions. This healthy, well-balanced mind training method is suitable for everybody in this modern-day life. The purpose of these sessions is also to deepen our understanding of our own mind to expand our innate loving kindness, compassion, and bodhicitta through study, contemplation, and meditation. These silent sessions create conducive conditions for wisdom to arise. Additionally, His Holiness has incorporated both yoga and Qi Gung techniques to benefit both the body and mind as part of the Sharvasti meditation circulum.
Space is limited and this program is being offered in-person only at this time. To follow the tradition of this retreat as given by His Holiness, attendees will all wear a comfortable uniform, which we will provide the details for how to order and the cost. We are also requesting a fee for this course to help cover expenses to continue to support Drikung Kyobpa Choling Monastery, a Tibetan Meditation Center. We will have some onsite (overnight) accomodations available for a fee. Once registration is open, we will let everyone know.
Link to HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang’s vision for the Sharvasti meditation: HHDK Sharvasti