Complete Schedule of NDF Events

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The Four Contemplations, IV

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 (7:30 PM)
Cambridge Friends Meeting House, Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138
Map/Directions

Please join David Miller and Jess Fallon this Tuesday for a special teaching that examines the defects of unenlightened existence, the fourth of the "Four Contemplations" of Buddhist practice. In this teaching, using the lens of the metaphor of the six realms, we will examine the archetypal patterns of our habits and the habits of others. We'll let the exaggerated characters of the six realms illuminate the more subtle aspects of our patterns so that we can have more compassion for ourselves and others when we/they are swept into the churning wheel of thoughtless habits. You probably know plenty about the defects of life and about suffering—but we promise this look with friends will be fun, entertaining and even a bit humorous! In the "Wheel of Life," there is a buddha in every realm. These teachings are a foundation we can rely on to inspire us to keep stepping off the merry-go-round time and time again… until we are the unfazed bodhisattvas helping others along.

Contact: info@naturaldharma.org

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A Small Shift Makes a Big Difference

Bringing the meditative perspective into all of our experience
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 (7:30 PM)
Cambridge Friends Meeting House, Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138
Map/Directions

Lama Jamdron began her study of Tibetan Buddhism in 1984. In 1986 she entered the traditional Tibetan Buddhist three-year meditation retreat under the guidance of Lama Norlha Rinpoche.

Lama Jamdron has lived at Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery since 1986, acting as an assistant teacher for the three-year reatreats and as translator and personal secretary for Lama Norlha Rinpoche. She has accompanied her teacher on teaching tours all over the world, and has assisted him in his efforts in rural Tibet to establish and maintain monasteries for monks and nuns, and schools and medical programs for the public.

Contact: info@naturaldharma.org

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Bodhicitta V - Refuge and Bodhicitta

Two-Week Retreat with Lama Willa, Brendan Kennedy and Charles Genoud (week 2)
August 21-September 4, 2010
Auberge Schweitzer, Sutton, Quebec, Canada
Map/Directions

In this Intensive Retreat, students will be introduced to the practices of Refuge and Bodhicitta, as transmitted in the non-sectarian Kagyu-Nyingma tradition. We will focus on exploring a number of meditations around the theme of Refuge, including traditional teachings on outer-inner-secret refuges, and instruction in a refuge sadhana that includes prostration practice, as well as contemporary approaches such as inquiry into where we seek refuge psychologically and why, and how we may find reliable refuge in the nature of mind. In alignment with the trajectory of the Margha Program, we will also continue to deepen in the practices of Bodhicitta, and will explore the connections between finding places of safety and refuge for ourselves, while become a haven of safety and refuge for others. Retreatants will observe a strict practice schedule, observing silence most of the retreat, except for question and answer sessions and interviews. The retreat will include dharma instruction at least 5 days per week, with ample time scheduled for deep solitary meditation practice.

Margha Participation

The teachings and practices from this retreat are required for Margha Program participants, but attendance is not required. The material will be made available to Margha students after the retreat.

Accommodations and Costs

Rooms at Auberge Schweitzer are in several freestanding chalets and outbuildings. Each building typically has 1-3 bedrooms and bathrooms, and a shared living area with kitchenette (including refrigerator).

Price for single room: $1000 for one week, $2000 for two weeks

Price for shared room (2 beds): $900 for one week, $1800 for two weeks (you may mutually designate your roommate if you wish)

Please inquire for Scholarship rates and availability.

Retreatants may attend Week 1, Week 2, or both weeks.

Deposit and Registration

Registration for Week One and Week Two of the Summer Retreat is now closed; anyone whose registration is received after June 14th will be placed on a waiting list.

To be included on the waiting list, please fill out the PDF registration form and mail with a check or money order for $250 (made out to Natural Dharma Fellowship) to:

  Becky Spainhower
  2627 N Point Cir Apt D
  Tallahassee, FL 32308

Your deposit will be fully refunded if a spot in the retreat does not become available for you.

Registered participants: Deposits are refundable until July 1, 2010; after this date, deposits are not refundable but can be applied towards the cost of future retreats.

Please email retreat@naturaldharma.org with any questions or concerns you may have.

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Margha Graduation

Saturday, October 30, 2010 (Time to be announced)
Cambridge Friends Meeting House, Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138
Map/Directions

Join us as we celebrate the completion of Level II of the Margha Program with a graduation ceremony and the conferring of certificates of completion. On this celebratory day, we will also discuss ways to integrate heart-cultivation practices into daily living, and how remembering the practices of receiving and extending love and compassion can help us live healthy, loving, intimately connected lives. We will also confer certificates of completion for Level I of the Margha Program to those who are finishing that series.

Contact: info@naturaldharma.org

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