Overview
During this year’s Open Retreat, Nalandabodhi Canada’s resident teacher, Lama Rabten Tshering, will lead us in an exploration of the great Buddhist master Atisha’s “Seven Points of Mind Training.”
Throughout the centuries, Mind Training (lojong) was adopted by many Buddhist schools as a skillful method for developing our awakened heart through training our mind. Through this practice, we begin to let go of our self-centeredness and clinging and develop genuine loving kindness and compassion towards others, without discrimination and without expecting anything in return. In doing so, we also find joy and peacefulness within our hearts.
The Seven Points of Mind Training practice involves contemplating 59 slogans, or phrases, that can be used to help us face many situations in life. It also includes a meditation practice known as tonglen (giving and taking), that can help us develop compassion for others and ourselves. During this retreat Lama Rabten will teach as well as guide us through these contemplations and meditations.
The retreat is offered onsite at MRC, Nalandabodhi’s mountain retreat center, as well as online. It is a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with a heart of loving kindness under the guidance of Lama Rabten.
Teaching will be in English and translation may be offered in other languages based on need. Recordings will be available to registrants for one month.
Tentative Schedule (Pacific time)
Friday, October 6, 2023
| 3:30pm – 4:00pm | Welcome and orientation |
| 4:00pm – 5:00pm | Introductory session with Lama Rabten, closing chants |
Saturday, October 7, 2023
| 8:00am – 9:30am | Teaching session with Lama Rabten |
| 9:30am – 10:00am | Break |
| 10:00am – 11:00am | Guided meditation led by Lama Rabten |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Teaching session with Lama Rabten |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | Break |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Guided meditation led by Lama Rabten, closing chants |
Sunday, October 8, 2023
| 8:00am – 9:30am | Teaching session with Lama Rabten |
| 9:30am – 10:00am | Break |
| 10:00am – 11:00am | Guided meditation led by Lama Rabten |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Teaching session with Lama Rabten |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | Break |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Guided meditation led by Lama Rabten, closing chants |
Monday, October 9, 2023
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Q&A session with Lama Rabten |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Break |
| 9:30am – 11:00am | Closing session: concluding teaching or guided meditation led by Lama Rabten, closing chants and concluding remarks |
REGISTERING FOR THE RETREAT (BOTH ONSite AND ONLINE)
To attend this program online, please register below. Attending the retreat onsite at MRC is a two-step process; see the following section for detailed information.
Attending ONSITE at MRC
To attend onsite, register for the program using the form below AND book accommodations by writing to reservations@mrclodgeandcabins.com as soon as possible.
Write reservations@mrclodgeandcabins.com and inform us of the dates you plan to be here. We recommend you arrive at MRC on Thursday, October 5, so that you can be settled and oriented before the retreat begins on October 6. If, however, you cannot arrive until October 6, please plan to arrive no later than 12:00pm on that day. The retreat will continue through the weekend and close at lunch on Monday, October 9.
We ask onsite attendees to make their reservation no later than Tuesday September 26. The standard MRC per day retreat cost is $99 including room and three meals a day. We are offering a special 10% discount for this retreat of $90 per day.
Once you let us know of your interest in coming to MRC, we can help you determine the best transportation method for your situation (main options are given below). Since this is a busy time of year for traveling, the earlier you plan, the more likely you are to get the best option for your situation.
About the Teacher
Lama Rabten Tshering is the resident teacher and spiritual director of Nalandabodhi Canada. He spent his early years at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkhim, and served as disciplinary master there for five years. In 1997 he entered a 3-year retreat at Pullahari Retreat Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal, under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and other masters. In 2002 he came to the west at the invitation of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and has been serving the Nalandabodhi community since that time. He teaches regularly at Nalandabodhi’s Canadian headquarters in Vancouver. Read more here. About MRC
Nestled in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, MRC is in the Columbia River Valley surrounded by the Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. It is the perfect spot for a meditation retreat. MRC offers both on-site and online retreat programs, and also serves those interested in solo retreats.
MRC has retreat cabins and rooms, with a community shrine room and library available to all retreatants. The surrounding trails are perfect for walking meditation and contemplation.
For more information, please visit www.mrclodgeandcabins.com. For booking your retreat, please write reservations@mrclodgeandcabins.com
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). People’s financial situation should not be an obstacle to participation in the program.
Click HERE if you need assistance for this retreat.