Jan 16 – 17, 2021

Streamed Online – Will be available until Jan. 23

Everyone is welcome to this simple, but profound guided meditation retreat.

This retreat is based on a special poem entitled Eight Verses of Training the Mind, written by Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa almost 1,000 years ago. Through reflecting on and meditating on these eight verses, we can develop our own universal love and compassion. By relying on this ancient wisdom, which still applies to our modern-day life, we can learn the methods to create a life and a world based on compassion and wisdom.

There will be an introductory session followed by nine sessions through which we can gain meditative experience in order to familiarize ourself with our actual nature, which is compassion.

This retreat is perfect for beginners or those familiar with meditation. Each session will include commentary to a verse and guided meditation to gain our own experience with that verse as it relates to our own life.

Since these sessions will be available for the entire week, you can choose how you engage in this retreat. You may wish to engage in all sessions on the weekend and repeat them throughout the week, or you may wish to engage in one or two sessions each day over the course of the week. Each session is between 1.25 and 1.5 hours.

retreat cost

$40 | $20 for Basic members | Free for Full or Benefactor members.

sessions

Session 1: Introduction to the Eight Verses of Training the Mind
Session 2: The Benefits of Cherishing Others
Session 3: How to Cherish Others
Session 4: Overcoming self-cherishing
Session 5: Developing Compassion
Session 6: Wishing Love
Session 7: The Practice of Patience and Giving Love
Session 8: Taking and Giving
Session 9: The Supreme Good Heart
Session 10: Relying on Wisdom

main text being used

  • The New Eight Steps to Happiness by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
  • Chanted prayers to prepare for meditation:  The Liberating Prayer, Prayers for Meditation

With Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Khyenwang

Gen Khyenwang is Resident Teacher of Odiyana Kadampa Buddhist Center. She is a close disciple and student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and has been practicing and teaching under his guidance for many years. The teachings she shares are clear, heartfelt and extremely practical for modern life.

*Note: Please do not record classes or share the livestream link with others. Online offerings are intended for those who live in CT, Western MA, and VT. If you live outside these areas, visit this link to find a Center near you. For more information, email info@odiyana.org or call 860-266-6041.

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact Melissa at admin@odiyana.org or 860.883.5675 if you need to make payment arrangements.