Join us in January for a delightful day of retreat and/or evening teaching with Lama Surya on:
The Dzogchen View of Tara: Activating Inherent Love & Wisdom
at Neighborhood Unitarian Church
301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA. 91103
Dzogchen is the distilled quintessence of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism (the Diamond Path). Transcending beliefs, techniques, rituals and habitual conditioning, it points directly to the heart of the matter—our innate awareness effortlessly present and luminous. The Tibetan tradition is also rich in skillful personifications of our inherent yet latent qualities, upon which to rest the mind and nourish the spirit. Among these, the female Buddha Tara is one of the most effective and inspiring archetypes of freedom and peace for us today. Embodying the sacred feminine within us all—spacious, inclusive, embracing and nurturing—Tara evokes our innate wisdom, compassion and appropriate loving action in any field, personal or professional, relational or otherwise.
In this retreat, Lama Surya will help us to engage this wise and caring responsiveness in our everyday challenges with others and within ourselves, and to tap into our boundless resources of love and compassion regardless of gender or background. He will also touch on the principles of deity meditation, from a non-theistic Dzogchen point of view. With Tara as guiding star, Lama Surya will introduce us directly to our Buddha nature, pointing out the hidden treasure of our own awareness—the real Tara within us all.
Friday evening provides a perfect introduction to this timeless wisdom tradition. During Saturday’s one-day retreat we will meditate, chant, pray and laugh together as Lama Surya guides with his customary liveliness and humor. Whether we are totally new to meditation or seasoned practitioners, there will be ample opportunity for questions.
Friday & Saturday $108. Friday only $20. Saturday only $95.
Students with ID are free. Scholarships available.
To register online, go to www.dzogchen.org/retreats or call 888-266-2305 for further info.
ABOUT LAMA SURYA DAS
Lama Surya Das is the author of Words of Wisdom (Koa Books) and The Big Questions: How to Find Your Own Answers to Life’s Essential Mysteries (Rodale), both published in 2008. He is also the noted author of Buddha Is As Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living (Harper San Francisco), Natural Radiance: Awakening to Your Great Perfection (Sounds True), Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be (Broadway Books), and the Awakening Trilogy: Awakening the Buddha Within; Awakening to the Sacred;, and Awakening the Buddhist Heart (Broadway Books).
Lama Surya Das is a Lineage Holder of the Dzogchen Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the Rimé (non-sectarian) tradition. For over thirty-five years, including more than eight years in secluded retreat, he has studied with the great masters of Tibetan Buddhism. With his open and lively style, he is particularly effective in the transmission of Buddhism by presenting Buddhist values and insight, as well as methods of practice, in a manner accessible to all.
Once again, Lama Surya Das will be leading a weeklong retreat in the inspiring California desert from March 21st to 29th!
Retreat is a precious opportunity to practice with our teachers, connect with sangha, and generally spend time in deep practice and contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of everday life. Teacher interviews will be offered and there will ample Q & A sessions.
Some limited scholarships may be available in cases of need. Inquire at retreat@dzogchen.org
Monday, September 01 2008 @ 08:45 PDT
Contributed by: Christopher
Views: 469
PRESENCING: The Sacred Art of Nowness-AwarenessEvening Presentation on Friday, October 10th and One-Day Retreat on Saturday, October 11th
at Unity of Tustin, 14402 Prospect Avenue, Tustin, California 92780.
This Saturday, you can enjoy a day of meditation practice in the Dzogchen tradition of Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, as taught by Lama Surya Das and Lama John Makransky. During this time we will practice Natural Meditation, Love and Compassion, as well as chanting and other supportive practices. We will also hear readings from Lama Surya Das' books (including the just-released "Buddha Is As Buddha Does"), and there will be opportunities for sharing and discussion. The day is appropriate for all regardless of experience or background, and is offered free of charge.
Practices will be led by Daniela and Christopher Coriat, who are both long-time students of Lama Surya Das. This event is sponsored by Dzogchen Center Southern California practice groups, and will be held at The Meeting Room (off I-10 Fwy at Overland). There is ample free covered parking. Light refreshements will be provided. More details to follow in mid-July.
Tuesday, May 06 2008 @ 09:17 PDT
Contributed by: Christopher
Views: 571
THE HEART ESSENCE OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION: Dzogchen Teachings on Natural Awareness and Authentic PresenceOne-Day Retreat on Saturday, May 24th (Memorial Day Weekend)
at Unity of Tustin, 14402 Prospect Avenue, Tustin, California 92780.
Wednesday, December 12 2007 @ 11:16 PST
Contributed by: Christopher
Views: 377
Life's Big Questions from a Buddhist Perspective: the Art and Practice of Spiritual Inquiry.
Registration is recommended at this time for those planning to attend Lama Surya's upcoming Community Teaching Series visit to Southern California, which will be held at the beautiful and historic Neighborhood Community Church in Pasadena (please note venue change) on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th January 2008.
Right around the corner from now Lama Surya will be offering several Southern California events. In chronological order:
He will be doing a BOOK SIGNING and SHORT TALK at Warwick's bookstore in La Jolla on May 31st at 7:30PM. This is a great time to connect again with him and get copies of his new book, Buddha Is As Buddha Does, signed by him personally. The book is already on the best selling list!! La Jolla is a really fun and eclectic place to visit for the evening, with stunning walks along the seaside cliffs.
Not to be missed is a wonderful ONE-DAY RETREAT he will give in Encinitas on June 2nd from 10-5. The topic for the day is "How to be a Bodhisattva." The day will include guided meditation, lively teachings, Q & A, etc. Details and registration can be found at http://www.dzogchen.org/retreats/index.htm . If coming from the north, the drive down south along the coast is lovely and the venue for the retreat is superb!
To conclude his visit to southern California, he will be giving a BOOK SIGNING and SHORT TALK at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena at Noon on June 3rd. Again, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect again with him after the retreat, purchase and/or have books signed and just generally enjoy his presence there before leaving our immediate area.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Lama Surya teaching in our local communities so frequently and hope to enjoy the same in future. Your support is incredibly valuable and crucial to making these evets happen. Please do attend if at all possible.
On Saturday April 21, feel free to join us for a day of meditation practice in the Dzogchen tradition of Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, as taught by Lama Surya Das and Lama John Makransky. The day's practices will be led throughout by Christopher and Daniela Coriat.
All are welcome, and we hope you may be able to join us for this free event!
May all beings benefit! For more information, continue below:
Come enjoy a one-day retreat with best-selling author and Dzogchen Lineage holder Lama Surya Das on Saturday, June 2nd, 2007! The topic for the day is "How to be a Bodhisattva." Appropriate for those new to meditation as well as those more experienced, the day promises precious and inspiring teachings on the 10 transformative practices (10 paramitas) from Lama Surya. Throughout the day, we will enjoy chanting, guided meditation, inspiring teachings and lively Question and Answer periods. The venue is a lovely and spacious neighborhood church in the seaside town of Encinitas -- complete with a peaceful garden for contemplation and breaks. Ample parking is available. Hot tea and snacks provided throughout the day by local volunteers. More info below:
Come join us for a wonderful day of teaching and transmission by Dzogchen lineage holder, Lama Surya Das. Topic for the teachings is Spontaneous Meditation. Evening talk and one-day retreat held on January 26th & 27th respectively. Both events held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Monica. For more information or to register online for the events, go to http://www.dzogchen.org/retreats/index.htm or call (888) 266-2305. Hope to see you there! May all benefit from this activity!
Monday, November 13 2006 @ 09:44 PST
Contributed by: Christopher
Views: 1,207
This coming Saturday in West Los Angeles, Dzogchen Center's Southern California practice groups are holding a twice-yearly Day of Practice which is open to all without charge. Details can be found here. We'd love to have you join us!
This Sunday, a group of Dzochen practitioners will drive out to Warner Springs to see the Giant Buddhas that Master Dat has brought over from Vietnam. This is a great chance to get to know the sangha a little better and to see something truely amazing. The plan is to sit with the Buddhas for about an hour and then get lunch in town. This is a link to a newspaper story about Master Dat.
Thursday, November 02 2006 @ 02:44 PST
Contributed by: Christopher
Views: 2,411
On Saturday November 18, enjoy a day of meditation practice in the Dzogchen tradition of Nyoshul Khenpo Rinpoche, as taught by Lama Surya Das and Lama John Makransky. The day's practices will be led throughout by Daniela and Christopher Coriat.
All are welcome, and we hope you may be able to join us for this free event the Saturday before Thanksgiving!