Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6654 

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Big Love: Teachings on the Four Immeasurables with Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi
March 26-28, 2010

Choden Rinpoche

Category: Course
Level:
Introductory-intermediate

Level of Silence:
Partial
Partial Attendance:
Not allowed

The Four Immeasurables are the best introduction to Buddhism. Learn how to cultivate a good heart.

Course Overview
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has often commented that the essence of spiritual practice is cultivating a good heart. While meditative quiescence and insight meditation are important within Buddhism, we need to balance such practices by cultivating altruism. Practice of the Four Immesurables is the ideal technique to achieve this goal.

The Four Immeasurables are: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. These characteristics are essential qualities to develop on the spiritual path, and can enhance one’s development of bodhicitta, the wish to become enlightened for all sentient beings. This weekend will include teachings, discussion, and guided meditations. It is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced practitioners wanting to deepen their experience on this topic.

Teacher Biography
Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi became interested in meditation after reading Be Here Now and Autobiography of a Yogi in the early ’70’s. For the next 20 years, her spiritual path was meandering and haphazard, and included several dead ends, until she bought a one-way ticket to India in early 1991 with the intention of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In late 1991, she became co-director of Vajrapani Institute in California. In 1995, she began working at FPMT International Office, first as co-director and then later as center services coordinator.

In early 2000, she began a long, solitary retreat that lasted 6½ years. Tenzin Chogkyi decided to become ordained in the third year of her long retreat, and then left retreat for a quick trip to India in 2004 for novice ordination with His Holiness. Since 2008, she has been teaching at various centers worldwide. As of August 2009, in addition to touring, she is based part-time at Vajrapani Institute in Boulder Creek, California.

Schedule

26th March   3:00 to 5:00pm Registration 
6:00pm  Dinner
7:00pm  Orientation Session 
7:30pm  Opening session 
27th March   7:00 - 8:00am Introduction to meditation followed by mindfulness practice 
  8:00 - 8:30am Breakfast 
9:00 - 12:00pm  Two sessions of combined teaching and meditation, approx. 1 ¼ hours with a tea break in between. 
12:00 - 2:00pm Lunch 
2:00 -3:00pm Discussion group with assigned questions 
3:00pm  Tea
3:30 - 5:30pm  Review discussion groups, followed by 1½ hour teachings and meditation 
6:00 - 6:30pm Dinner
7:30 - 8:30pm   Evening meditation session
28th March 7:00 - 8:00am Mindfulness practice 
8:00 - 8:30am  Breakfast 
8:30 - 9:30am  Clear out belonging from accommodations
9:30 - 12:30pm  Two teaching session with a tea break in between. Dedications   
12:30 - 1:30 pm  Lunch 
1:30 - 2:30pm  Karma Yogi: final cleaning (all to participate please)
2:30pm  Retreat ends

Fees

Fees (inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat fees)
  Regular Rate
  Non-Member Member
    10%
Camping $210.00 $189.00
Main Dormitory $220.00 $198.00
Semi Private Dormitory $230.00 $207.00
     
Private Room (single) $300.00 $270.00
Private Room (double) $270.00 $243.00
Cabin (single) $340.00 $306.00
     
Scholarship Fund $200  
Application deadline Feb 26th   

 


"Ven. Tenzin Chogkyi offers fantastic teachings; truly inspirational and useful information. I would recommend to anyone with an interest. "

—Samantha S., student from 2009


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Cancellation Policy 

A position for Course Manager Scholarship might still be available for this course. Click here for more information.