Tibetan Buddhist meditations to transform our experience of the world

Our understanding of our mind and how we exist is generally vague and confused. We do not know what mind consists of, how it functions, or who or what we really are.

Even though we call this a ‘course’, it’s a discovery process that’s shared by like minded people, fellow explorers, exploring individually and together with one another, sharing our insights and findings, as we go along, in a gradual and progressive way. We’ll be exploring our own mind, seeing its convictions, habits and reactions, directly for ourselves. Such an understanding can free us from compulsively playing out old stories and habits.

This year, the course is focusing on applying skillful means, like the practices of meditation and visualisation that are found in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions to transform our experience of the world.

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The night is open to all. Last year we had a lively mix of long-term and newer people. As before, there is no charge, but if you find it beneficial, consider making a donation to Rigpa as a support of our dharma activity.

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Additional Course Details

On wednesday evenings, starting at 7:30 and lasting at most 75 minutes. Each night will begin with 15 or 20 minutes of guided meditation practice. Loosely following last year’s alternate week format: one week with presentation, chat and practice; the next week reflection/ contemplation with small groups and book club or practice. ( In the book club we are using “In Love with the World” by Mingyur Rinpoche )

Feel free to take part in whichever aspects of the night you like and to leave anytime during the evening.

Rather than run the course non-stop throughout the year we will break it into approximately 6 week chunks, but continue to offer a guided meditation session (7:30 – 7:50) even during the break.

The course is open to anyone with an interest in exploring the buddhist teachings and practices, whether you are a newcomer or a long time dharma student, all are welcome to attend.

Course Leaders

The main presenters of the course are Cecily Leonard and Martin Leonard and they will be joined by other Rigpa senior instructors during the course. The presentations will draw from the teachings of both contemporary Buddhist teachers, a deep and ancient lineage of meditation instructions from the Buddhist tradition and contemporary scientific discoveries.

Cecily Leonard

Cecily first met the dharma in 1978 and found meditation, introduced then, helped settle her chaotic mind, bit by bit. Soon too, she met several teachers whose ease and clarity and profound advices show who we are, how we can be. Cecily tries out their advice as best she can in everyday life, and loves exploring the richness of all this with others along the way.

Martin Leonard

Martin has been studying the Buddhist teachings for over forty years and has received teachings from such eminent Tibetan masters as Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He has completed a three year retreat. His style is both humorous and approachable