Developing Shamatha and Vipassana – A Meditational Journey

Join us on for a weekend retreat with Venerable Mary Reavey who will give us teachings on Shamatha and Vipassana.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm and 2.00 – 4.00 pm CET

• • May 27-28,
  • June 24-25,
  • August 26-27,
  • September 23-24,
  • October 28-29,
  • November 25-26

WHERE: Onsite & Online (the teacher is live on Zoom; she is not in our center)
LANGUAGE: English
LEVEL: Beginners – everyone is welcome and will be guided well along the way.

REGISTER:

HERE if you will be joining us Online *

HERE if you will be joining us Onsite

Recordings and handouts will be available to attendees who have registered for onsite or online; no public YouTube video will be available.

*  Disclaimer: By joining the Zoom room for the teachings you accept Lhagsam to record the teacher and Lhagsam host. We never record your face nor refer to any other than your first name.

Shamatha is the development of attention which enables us to focus without agitation or dullness, eventually reaching the clear mind of Shamatha (calm abiding). This is the skill that enables us to positively transform our mind, paving the way for the enjoyment of genuine happiness.

The quality of our attention directly impacts on the quality of vipassana meditations, and this will be explored after the Shamata input. We all need to start, where we are, so no matter what our level of meditation might be, these weekends will benefit the beginner and those who wish to deepen their practice.

Based on B. Alan Wallace’s book “The Attention Revolution“, the teachings will include 24 minute meditation sessions, discussions with the teacher and student discussions in breakout rooms without a teacher. Those meeting in our center will benefit from each other’s company and won’t be in breakout rooms.

The Objects for developing Shamatha to be practiced and discussed:

• • The Breath
  • Mind and its contents
  • Awareness of awareness

Please notice!

Attending the full series will be beneficial. However, each weekend is a stand-alone teaching, so feel free to join anytime. Everyone is welcome, but it is highly recommended to watch past recordings first. Though not essential, having a copy “The Attention Revolution” is of benefit, as it will be referred to often.

Recordings and handouts will be available to attendees who have registered only.

• • Disclaimer: By joining the Zoom room for the teachings you accept Lhagsam to record the teacher and Lhagsam host. We never record your face nor refer to any other than your first name.

The sequence between Shamatha and Vipassana makes perfect sense: first refine your powers of attention, then use them to explore and purify the mind, which can be directly examined only through first-person observation.”
― B. Alan Wallace, The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind

About the Teacher

Ven. Mary Reavey: Born in Dundee, Scotland, Ven Mary was a staff nurse when she first encountered FPMT’s mother monastery at Kopan in Nepal in 1978. It was her love of adventure and trekking that led her to this place, but Ven. Mary ended up attending a month-long course taught by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who emphasised the importance of meditation and taking complete responsibility for your own actions and their effects. In 2001/02, Ven. Mary took ordination as a nun with Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Receiving her Bikshuni ordination in 2015, Ven. Mary has also taught in prisons and at hospitals and hospices.

Until 2012, Venerable taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy at Buddhist centres and hospitals in the UK. 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.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Cost: You would make us very happy by supporting us with a donation. Suggested donation is 0-60 CHF for a session. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online (via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking).

Language: English.

Level: Beginners – everyone is  welcome.

REGISTER:

HERE if you will be joining us Online

HERE if you will be joining us Onsite