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The Chronicles is delighted to present Chögyam Trungpa's Training the Mind seminar, which took place at Rocky Mountain Dharma Center in Colorado in August 1974. It is one of several complete teachings by Trungpa Rinpoche on the four foundations of mindfulness. Other teachings on this subject were presented at the 1973 Seminary, and the Techniques of Mindfulness seminar given at Karme Chöling, also in August of 1974. Talk One through three of the six-lecture seminar are online now. A new talk will be posted each week. We would like to invite everyone to join in a discussion on these teachings, which will be hosted by Robert Walker, a long-time sangha member. Robert has studied and worked with Trungpa Rinpoche's teachings on mindfulness and mind training for many years. The four foundations of mindfulness, or four foundations of close placement, have been taught by many Buddhist teachers, often as a series of contemplative practices. These teachings by Chögyam Trungpa, on the other hand, were given in the context of the view and practice of mindfulness-awareness sitting meditation, as well as vipashyana awareness teachings on the postmeditation experience. Although the students at that time (1974) were, for the most part, engaged in basic sitting practice, these teachings are applicable to all levels of practice. They are not philosophy. Rather, they are a practical guide to engaging and working with obstacles that arise in meditation practice. In particular, the obstacles of lack of settledness and hot boredom, the tendency to cling to painful and pleasurable states of mind, the obstacle of too much goal orientation, and the obstacle of being unbalanced and one-sided (contrasted with having a sense of “totality”) are addressed. In each of these three presentations, Rinpoche begins by defining mind, and showing the desperation, pain, and hypocrisy of ego-process. Based on that, he shows how to practice with simplicity, fearlessness, genuineness, and balance. Beyond formal practice, these seminars show the connection to practice in everyday life, community, and working with awareness in general. These teachings can also be seen as the ground for Trungpa Rinpoche's dharma art teachings, as well as his vajrayana teachings on the nature of mind. This seminar is highly recommended for anyone who is interested in becoming his or her own meditation instructor. As well, these are invaluable teachings for anyone who instructs others. They are also a wonderful complement to Chögyam Trungpa's later teachings on obstacles and antidotes.
The calligraphy at the top of this page Mukpo is by Trungpa Rinpoche; used here with the kind permission of Lady Diana Mukpo. | |||||||||
On February 14, at the end of his traditional Shambhala Day address, the Sakyong announced that he and the Sakyong Wangmo are expecting a child. Khandro Tseyang has completed her first trimester and is doing well. The couple is anticipating an August arrival. Shambhala shrine rooms around the world erupted in cheers when the announcement was made during the live internet video presentation.
On the 3rd day of the first month of the Iron Tiger year (17th February 2010), the entire Mindrolling sangha gathered to observe the 3rd anniversary of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Künzang Wangyal. This is the third year since the wish-fulfilling jewel of the Mindrolling sangha, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen, passed into parinirvana. We continue to remember our precious Guru with heartfelt longing, devotion and yearning. The Mindrolling sangha worldwide commemorated this day with intensive practice and offerings. At the Mindrolling Monastery in India, the entire sangha came together to perform an intensive practice of the Minling Vajrasattva. Also in Lotus Garden [in Virginia], the sangha did a full day of the Vajrasattva practice.
