Date(s) - June 1, 2016 - June 8, 2016
All Day
Exploring the Nature of Mind:
Heart Advice on the Path of Awakening
Teachings by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
St John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA
We have reached capacity for this retreat. You are welcome to join the waiting list, and we will let you know as soon as possible if any space becomes available.
True freedom of mind is something we can discover for ourselves through the practice of meditation. In Tibetan Buddhism, the most direct and powerful way to experience this inner freedom is by exploring the nature of awareness, a journey that puts us in touch with a source of equanimity, wisdom, and compassion that we can access anytime and anywhere.
This practice retreat presents a rare opportunity to receive in-depth teachings on the nature of mind from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. The nature of mind teachings are drawn from the paths of Mahamudra and Dzogchen, the most profound meditative teachings of the Kagyü and Nyingma Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to teachings on the nature of mind, Mingyur Rinpoche will also offer practical instructions on exploring dreams and deep sleep through the practice of meditation to prepare the mind for death, basing his instructions on his own near-death experience while on retreat.
The teachings given at this retreat provide the transmissions needed to begin formal Buddhist practice in the Tergar Community, including “pointing out” teachings on the nature of mind, refuge vows (the vows to formally enter the Buddhist path), and the transmissions to begin practicing the Tibetan Buddhist foundational practices (ngöndro). This retreat is open to those who are interested in practicing Buddhism and who already have a strong background in meditation practice (see prerequisites below).
Mingyur Rinpoche is a rising star among the new generation of Tibetan Buddhist masters. With a rare ability to present the ancient wisdom of Tibet in a fresh, engaging manner, Rinpoche’s profound teachings and playful sense of humor have endeared him to students around the world. His first book, The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, debuted on The New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into over twenty languages. Read more…
RETREAT DETAILS
Accommodations and Fee Structure
In order to attend the retreat, you will need to arrive no later than the opening day. It will not be possible to start your retreat later in the program. Full retreat fees are inclusive of room, meals, and teachings at St. John’s University. Commuter fees include meals and teachings at St. John’s University.
Although we have been able to secure a larger space for the events at St. John’s this year and expect to be able to accommodate more participants, in order to allow as many people as possible to take advantage of this opportunity, we are limiting registration to double rooms only at this time. We will collect names for a single room waiting list in the event that single rooms become available. All bathrooms are shared (with separate bathrooms for male/female on each residence hall floor).
There are two levels to the fee structure, a base level and a sponsor level for people who can afford to support Tergar Meditation Community activities at a greater level. If your ability to pay makes it difficult to attend, please complete your registration and contact us by email to [email protected] or by phone at 1-612-460-8837.
Cost
Double Room Basic: $965
Double Room Sponsor: $1,145
Commuter Basic: $755
Commuter Sponsor: $935
Deposit
In order for your registration to be accepted, you must include a nonrefundable deposit of $250. The balance of your retreat fee will be due May 4, 2016. Tergar will be emailing invoices near the due date. The minimum deposit is the same regardless of what room, rate, or length of time you choose. If you prefer, you may include the full payment when you register.
Prerequisites
This retreat is open to all individuals who meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Have attended all three Joy of Living Levels, Calming the Mind (Level I), Opening the Heart (Level II), and Awakening Wisdom (Level III), and completed the associated practice requirements
2) Have attended the Path of Liberation Level I or Mahamudra Level I with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and completed its practice requirements or will complete them prior to the retreat
3) Have completed the full preliminary practices (the 4 x 100,000 ngöndro)
4) Have received pointing out teachings from a qualified Buddhist lineage holder (a tulku or rinpoche)
5) Have had a daily meditation practice for at least five years and attended either group or solitary practice retreats (with 6+ hours of formal meditation practice each day) under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher for a total of at least thirty days
For more information about the Path of Liberation program, please visit the Path of Liberation FAQ page.
Teacher Support
In an effort to keep the cost of this retreat as low as possible, we set the retreat rate such that it just covers the cost of room and board at the retreat and additional operating overhead. This includes a modest honorarium to Mingyur Rinpoche and attendant lamas. You will also have the opportunity to make a personal offering to support Tergar activities.
Cancellation Policy
The full $250 deposit is nonrefundable.
Arrival and Departure
Check-in will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the opening day of the retreat, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The retreat will end by lunchtime on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.
Precepts and Silence
While attending this retreat all participants are expected to abide by the ethical precepts for lay practitioners. This includes abstinence from sexual activity. We will maintain periods of silence throughout this retreat, the length of which will vary so that there will be less silence in the beginning and end of the retreat and a period of complete silence in the middle.
Internet
While it is possible to access internet on campus (at the library and even in the dorm rooms), we ask that — in keeping with the spirit of an intensive meditation retreat — you minimize internet activity, limiting it altogether if possible.
Food
Three vegetarian meals will be served each day. While the kitchen at St. John’s University is not able to cater to special dietary needs, vegan protein and gluten-free options will be available.
Location
St. John’s University is situated about 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota, just off Interstate 94 in the town of Collegeville. The closest major airport is Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP).
Transportation To and From MSP
Executive Express provides a shuttle service from Minneapolis/St Paul airport (MSP) to St. John’s. They will pick you up from the airport and take you to the campus. They are offering a $10 discount each way for people attending the retreat. In order to make a booking online and receive the discount, go to this Executive Express link and make your reservation. The cost of a round trip is approximately $84.
As well, we have set up a Ride and Travel group in the Tergar Learning Community (TLC). Once you are a TLC member (membership is free), you can make a posting to request a ride, offer a ride, share accommodation information, etc.
Please note: You must be logged in to Tergar Learning Community to access the Ride and Travel group page. If you get an error message on TLC, please log in to TLC, then copy and paste the following URL into your browser window: https://learning.tergar.org/groups/rideshare-and-travel-info/
Please note, Tergar is not involved in organizing rides/travel for participants. The TLC page relies on participants to contact each other directly. We would appreciate it if locals would take the time to check the RideShare and Travel page to see if rides might be needed. Thank you.
We have reached capacity for this retreat. You are welcome to join the waiting list, and we will let you know as soon as possible if any space becomes available.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in attending Awareness, Compassion, and Wisdom: Essential Teachings on the Joy of Living, taking place immediately prior to the Exploring the Nature of Mind Retreat retreat, you must register separately for that event. Click here for more information.
Location
St. John's University, Collegeville MN, United States