For the Benefit of All – Generating A Positive Motivation
An experiential meditation retreat working with the ways of generating a positive motivation for our daily practice.
The lam. rim (stages of the path) tradition is divided into three sections that correspond to different levels of aspiration or motivation from wishing for our own favourable rebirth to the great mind of bodhicitta – wishing to attain complete enlightenment ourselves in order to benefit all beings. Our ability to achieve each of these levels depends on our developing a strong and heartfelt motivation.
We will engage in the meditations on:
The “Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind” (precious human rebirth, death and impermanence, karma and the nature of samsara),
The ways of developing the altruistic motivation of bodhichitta and
The tong.Len (taking and giving) meditation from the lo. jong (mind training) tradition
We shall set these gently within the short practice of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, whose blessings can help us achieve the precious mind of bodhichitta.
This retreat is for anyone who wants to develop a clear and practical method for developing good motivation that can be easily and quickly applied to their everyday practice.
As this is not a teaching course but an experiential meditation retreat, it is especially suitable for those who have a basic or more advanced grounding in Buddhist philosophy. Beginners are also welcome although doing some prior background reading on the topics above will help you experience the benefits of the retreat greatly.