We practise shamatha in order to be natural or, to use more practical language, to gain control of our mind. Most of the time we are not in control of ourselves. Our mind is always distracted with something, our enemies, our lovers, our friends, hope and fear, attachment, aggression... there is always something. The world controls our minds, we have little control over it.
Even though the real essence of mind is not rigid, our mind has become rigid because of our basic insecurity. But we can train our mind. We can make this rigid mind flexible, workable. As Shantideva said, when we practise shamatha, the hiding place of the ego will collapse.
The word "meditation" always seems to refer to a certain body posture, a relaxation, not thinking too much--hopefully thinking nothing, but if not that, maybe thinking only one or two things. Being quiet, externally and internally. But on the more profound level, one of the most important elements of meditation is the Tibetan word "shak", which means, "Leave it alone".
"Vipashyana" means "clear seeing". Ordinary beings like us don't see things clearly. Our perceptions are distracted and distorted with prejudice and bias. Seeing something clearly means leaving it alone. When you apply vipashyana, there's a sense that anything could happen: it might work, it might not work. At the same time you have no hope and no fear. So applying the wisdom of vipashyana in our day-to-day life--even the most mundane experience in our life--is what Mahayana Buddhists aim for.
- Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Join us for 3 days of shamatha and vipashyana teachings and meditation at Sea to Sky Retreat Centre (SSRC), April 10-13, 2009 (Easter long-weekend). This retreat will be lead by Alex Trisoglio, a teaching and practice instructor of Siddhartha's Intent and a senior student of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.
To register for this retreat please mail a cheque for $225 Canadian or US Dollars made payable to Siddhartha's Intent to Sea To Sky Retreat Centre, Eastside Daisy Lake, Whistler, BC, V0N 1B1, Canada. Please make sure to write on the memo of the cheque "Easter Retreat 10-13 April 2009". Also, please send an email to Retreat Manager (ssrc@siddharthasintent.org) so further details and instructions can be sent to you.
Alex Trisoglio
Alex teaches meditation and Buddhist philosophy and practice, and he has been a student of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche since 1996. As a Khyentse Fellow, he has edited Rinpoche.s teachings on Madhyamika and Uttaratantra, and he has been teaching assistant at Rinpoche's public programs in North America, Europe and Australia since 2003.Alex is passionate about bringing the dharma to meet the needs and interests of people in the modern world. He is an executive coach and counselor, and his clients include senior executives, top teams and boards in the public and private sectors, as well as entrepreneurs and business families. He also coaches leading figures from the worlds of politics, the social sector, and media & entertainment, including Hollywood actors and rock musicians. He has worked with people on all five continents and in a wide variety of cultural, business and life contexts.
Born in England, Alex has lived in France, Switzerland, and the United States, and now lives in Vancouver. He shares Rinpoche's love of diverse cultures and people, and his aspiration to bring the philosophy and the path of enlightenment to anyone with an open heart.
General Information
Arrival time: By 4 PM on the first day of programDeparture time: By 4PM on the last day of the program
The program cost covers meals and accommodation, plus use of the facilities.
Information about what to bring and how to get to SSRC will be sent to you after you register. Be sure to provide your full name, email address, phone number, and the name and date of the program along with your registration cheque.