A Practical Guide to True Happiness Resources

With Ven Mary Reavey: 1st – 2nd May 2021

Are you curious about Buddhist practice, but don’t know where to begin? Have you attended Buddhist teachings and feel they could be useful for you but don’t know how to meditate on the subjects you’ve studied or how to apply them to your life? This retreat will answer these questions and more.

You will explore the “Stages of the Path” (lamrim) tradition of Tibetan Buddhism through covering different topics via teachings, guided meditations and discussions which will provide the chance to understand the relevance of each and how they can help you in your life. Subjects to be covered include impermanence, karma, death & rebirth, developing loving-kindness, compassion and the awakening mind (bodhicitta), the ultimate nature of reality and more.

The retreat will also provide the opportunity to discover and explore the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation. Throughout the week, you will look into various aspects of the theory and practice of meditation as well as being guided through meditations on subjects covered during teachings. This will provide you with tools that will empower you to deal with any problems and difficulties in your life.

About Ven Mary

Born in Dundee, Scotland, Ven Mary was a staff nurse when she first encountered Buddhism at the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition’s mother monastery – Kopan – in Nepal in 1978. It was her love of adventure and trekking that led her to Kopan. Ven Mary attended a month long course taught by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa who emphasised the importance of meditation and taking complete responsibility for your own actions and their effects.

In 2001 Ven Mary took ordination as a nun with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, then until 2012 taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Buddhist centres in Preston, Liverpool and at Armley Prison, Dumfries Prison, Leeds General Infirmary, St James’ Hospital and Wheatfields Hospice where she held regular meditation sessions. Ven Mary went on to take full Bikshuni ordination in 2015

Over the years Ven Mary has undertaken and led many meditation retreats. She completed a one year solitary retreat in 2014 and completes a three month personal retreat each year. She continues to regularly teach at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Jamyang Liverpool and in York.

Recommended Reading

Ven Mary recommends the following reading material for before, during and after the course:

Recommended Lam Rim Texts:

  • Atisha – Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment – Commentary by Geshe Sonam Rinchen

  • Tsong Khapa – LamRim Chenmo

  • Tsong Khapa – The Principal Teachings of Buddhism

  • The 3rd Dalai Lama – Essence of Refined Gold

  • Geshe Archarya Thubten Loden – The Path to Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism; Meditations on the Path to Enlightenment; and Essence of the Path to Enlightenment

  • Geshe Rabten – The Essential Nectar

  • Geshe Sopa – Steps on the Path to Enlightenment 5 volumes

  • Geshe Wangchen – Step by Step

  • Geshe Wangyal – The Jewelled Staircase

  • HH Dalai Lama – From Here to Enlightenment

  • HH Dalai Lama – Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment

  • Pabongka Rinpoche – Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand

  • Yangsi Rinpoche – Practising the Path: A Commentary on the LamRim Chenmo

Reading Material for Zoom Sessions

Audio and Video Recordings of Zoom Sessions

Day 1

Session One

Session Two

Day 2

Session One

Session Two

Day 3

Session One

Session Two

Day 4

Session One

Session Two

Day 5

Session One

Session Two

Day 6

Session One

Session Two

Day 7

Session One

Session Two

A Way to Say Thank You

Please use the form below if you would like to make an offering to Land of Joy as a thank you for making these resources available. Any offering will be a big help and very gratefully received as the unexpected closure of the centre is having a big impact of our finances. However, we very much appreciate many people are experiencing economical and financial challenges during these unpredictable times and therefore might not be able to support us at the moment.

Thank you and may you be entirely happy.

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