with Alan Muller The Buddhist path emphasizes study, reflection, and meditation. But sometimes we neglect the study aspect. The study of Buddhist texts is somewhat different from how we normally approach the study of academic subjects. Study, in the spiritual context, is very necessary as it provides the view, the basis, the perspective needed in [...]
A Transforming Retreat with Melanie Polatinsky The legends of Guru Rinpoche/Padmasambhava, also called the second Buddha, are rooted in a historical figure, miraculously born, who came to Tibet in the 8th Century to bring the highest Buddhist teaching and subdue the darkness in the land. His consort and disciple, Yeshe Tsogyal recorded all these teachings [...]
The 3rd of March is the Tibetan New Year of the Water-Tiger. The first fifteen days of the lunar year are known as the fifteen days of the Buddha's miracles, when the Buddha, who was usually reluctant to show his miraculous powers, did display miracles in order to increase the faith of his followers.
TO MY UNIVERSAL FAMILY AND FRIENDS A JOYOUS NEW YEAR – 2022 Paulo Senior and Paulo Junior joined us for the Compassionate Living in Difficult Times retreat with Alan and Pippa. This was their first visit to TRC, and hopefully not the last. One more challenging year has come to an end. But economic hardships [...]
A weekend of guided meditations, contemplations, and exploring the above Milarepa quote.
Goodness, I am showing my age. Way back in 2007, when Clive Holmes visited South Africa, I was fortunate enough to attend his Better Health through Meditation Retreat at the Randburg Centre. It was in the good old days, long before Drupon Rinpoche pointed out that taking notes was not the best way to benefit [...]
On my first visit to India, after attending teachings by H.E Tai Situpa, I decided to go to McLeod Ganj where H.H. Dalai Lama was giving all-day transmissions at his monastery. Anyone who has visited this monastery will know that approaching and entering it is not straightforward for a first-timer. I arrived when the teachings [...]
A Contemplation from Alan Muller "With shamata practice, we learn to detect impulses in their early stages. We can check an impulse toward anger before exploding like a volcano. If we do not recognize that impulse, then the repetition of angry outbursts strengthens the tendency toward anger and creates its own karmic energy, it's own [...]
"The Three Trainings" are essential teachings and instructions on ethics (morality), concentration (meditation), and wisdom. We need to develop our ethics, meditation, and wisdom in order to transform our current afflicted mental states and hence progress on the path. The Three Trainings are important both in Buddhist and worldly contexts; learning to lead a more [...]
Tara Rokpa Centre is a supreme setting for this special retreat. Set in the dramatic scenery of the North West province - wild and wonderful – busting with all the elements of nature and with the living solidity of the Eco/ Adobe buildings - this venue established by our beloved teacher, Akong Rinpoché, made for [...]
