“Bardo Retreat: The Intermediate States of Waking, Dreaming, Dying and Conscious Rebirth with Lama Michael Gregory: ZOOM, Jan 28-Jan 30 2022”
January 28, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - January 30, 2022 @ 12:00 pm
Bardo Retreat: The Intermediate States of Waking, Dreaming, Dying and Conscious Rebirth
with
Lama Michael Gregory
January 28 to January 30, 2022
Offered via Zoom Only
When we practice well for death, then this can be the most significant opportunity for awakening. Lama Michael Gregory will guide us toward recognizing our luminous nature.
Through specific teachings and meditations that prepare us for recognizing the states of waking, dreaming and dying and conscious rebirth we will discover how to meditate on the illusory nature of the bardo, just as Naropa shared in his spiritual song:
“The mind during dreams should be mixed with the bardo mind.
It has the nature of the complete enjoyment body. With both the pure and impure illusory form bodies, their display is recognized during the bardo.”
The important point is mixing the dream bardo with consciousness transference.
Before death the yogi should think as follows: If all things are truly existent then death would be impossible. The disintegration of death, we know that things are not truly established. Therefore, death itself, though it appears truly existent, is actually not truly existent. So, offer all your possessions without remainder to the Three Jewels.
Relatives, friends and loved ones cause one's mind to wander from samadhi. Therefore, before death, abandon them. If possible, adopt the seven-point meditation posture. If not, use the lion posture, lying on the right side. Focus your mind on your Lama and the Three Jewels, generate strong heartfelt faith and take refuge. Determine that during death you will recognize suchness, the clear light ultimate truth, and that for the benefit of all beings you will arise in the bardo mahamudra union (the enjoyment body).
In order to benefit all the six types of mothers, at death, by the three, appearance, increase and near attainment finally dissolving, think: ‘My mother clear light will meet the son.The non-conceptual truth body will see its own face.’
"Yogis, are you trained in the bardo?”
"You, with your mind far away, thinking that death will not come, entranced by the pointless activities of this life, If you were to return empty-handed now, would not your life's purpose have been utterly confused? Recognize what it is that you truly need! It is a sacred teaching for liberation! So, should you not practice this divine sacred teaching, beginning from this very moment?"
-- Padmasambhava, The Tibetan Book of the Dead
This retreat will be offered on our zoom online classroom. Daily teaching will be offered by Lama Michael, as well as a guided meditation session and question and answer sessions.
Enrollment:
This retreat is open to all.
Schedule:
Starts Friday January 28th at 4 pm PT (PACIFIC TIME)
Ends Sunday January 30th around noon PT (PACIFIC TIME)
Tuition:
Suggested donation is $200 for all participants.
The suggested donation allows Mindfulness Meditation Centers to support the costs of running the retreat, the sharing and distribution of the teachings, and the support of our community.
Mindfulness Meditation Centers is a non-profit center and community devoted to making meditation, mindfulness, and the teachings of awakening available to all. If you are unable to donate the suggested amount, please do not let that keep you from attending; contact Liz at donate@mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com to make arrangements.
For questions about this retreat, please contact the
Mindfulness Meditation Centers'
Retreat Coordinator at
retreatsupport@mindfulnessmeditationcenters.com
To register please fill out the form below
“Retreat Registration: Bardo Retreat with Michael Gregory, ZOOM, Jan 28-30 2022”
If you are unable to donate the suggested amount, please do not let that keep you from attending; contact us to make arrangements.