Guru Yoga & Mandala Retreat
Friday July 11 - Friday July 18
at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa
For those who wish for a deep inner transformation, this annual retreat offers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with two in-depth Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings. Both practices are powerful ways to fill our mind with merit, or good fortune, and to receive profound, transformative blessings. They are indispensable for those who are serious about attaining authentic spiritual realizations, in particular the state of full enlightenment.
The practice of Guru Yoga is a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide with faith and correct imagination, in order to receive his or her blessings. The practice of Mandala Offerings is an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land, with all its inhabitants as pure beings. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable for everyone.
On the Friday evening before the retreat, Buddhist nun Kelsang Lamden will lead a one-hour introduction to the practice of offering mandalas.
Retreat Schedule
Friday July 11,
Intro: 7 to 8pm: Introduction to Mandala Offerings, with Kelsang Lamden
Saturday July 12
Session 1: 9-10:30am: Introduction to Mandala Offerings & Guru Yoga, with Heart Jewel Prayers
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Sunday July 13
Session 1: 9-10:30am
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Monday July 14
Session 1: 9-10:30am
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Tuesday July 15
Session 1: 8-9.30am
Session 2: 10-11.30am
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
(From 7-8:15pm, we will have our Tuesday Meditation Class, "Modern Buddhism" with Steve Grover.)
Wednesday July 16
Session 1: 9-10:30am
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Thursday July 17
Session 1: 9-10:30am
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Friday July 18
Session 1: 9-10:30am
Session 2: 11.30-1pm
Session 3: 2.30-4pm
Session 4: 7-8.30pm
Buddhist nun Kelsang Lamden will lead the Introduction to Mandala Offerings session on Friday July 11, from 7 to 8pm.
Lamden has studied and practised Buddhist meditation for many years. She enjoys helping others gain their own experience of meditation.
In the beginning of our practice the most essential thing is to tame our mind, for only this will enable us to benefit all sentient beings.