THE HEART OF MEDITATION
A Retreat on the Profound Instructions of Meditation
Dates: from 27 July to 4 August
Short option: from 27 to 31 July, for those who cannot attend to the full option
Meditation is much more than simply calming or focusing the mind. Meditation is the key to opening our minds and hearts and discovering a deeper sense of ourselves. It can transform our lives and give us confidence, inner peace, the wisdom to face difficult situations and the strength of heart to face the world with compassion and fearlessness.
This retreat will give you an opportunity to receive and practise the profound approach and instructions as they are presented in Rigpa, based on the wisdom of Buddha's teachings and specially those drawn from the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
For those who practise meditation, as well as beginners, this retreat is a chance to practise the heart of meditation in the natural retreat environment of Lerab Ling, with the guidance of some of Rigpa’s most experienced meditation teachers, with fellow practitioners from around the world.
Together we will explore the different stages of meditation going deeper and deeper into the instructions and the practice. There will also be personal reflections, guided practices, time for questions, interaction with peers and personal guidance. The schedule will allow personal time to go for walks in nature, to enjoy silent periods, and to simply relax and take a break.
The last part of the retreat (1 to 4 August) will be dedicated to longer meditation sessions, with more silence throughout the day.
It is highly recommended to follow the full retreat, to get a deeper experience and a good grounding in meditation. However for those who cannot attend the retreat fully, there is a short option of 5 days (from 27 to 31 July).
-
> REGISTRATION
-
> PRACTICAL INFO
START Saturday 27 July – 10am
END Sunday 4 August – midday
END Short option: Wednesday 31 July – 4pmCHECK-IN AND PICK-UP BADGES
Friday 26 July: 2pm to 6pm
Saturday 27 July: 9am to 9.45am
For arrivals after 6pm on Friday, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.CONTRIBUTION to the event - €337
Short option - €225
(Does not include accommodation and meals)LANGUAGES
Teachings: English & French
Translation: Spanish, GermanTRANSPORT
Friday 26 July - Montpellier to Lerab Ling - Travel time 2h (30€)
Depart from Montpellier airport at 3.15pm
Depart from Montpellier Sud de France train station at 3.45pm
Depart from Montpellier Saint Roch train station at 4.15pm
Thursday 1 August - Lerab Ling to Montpellier
Depart from the Welcome Centre at 8.30 to Montpellier Méditerranée airport, Montpellier Sud de France train station and Montpellier Saint Roch train station -
> CARPOOL
RIGPÉ YESHÉ PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
When there is sufficient interest, the Rigpé Yeshé association offers a programme designed to welcome children (from 6 years of age) and teenagers (from 13 to 17 years old) whose parents are participating in the retreat. If you are interested, please fill in this request form before 30 April.
TEACHERS
Ian Ives (senior teacher) has been studying and practicing the Buddha’s teachings in Asia, Europe and America since he was a teenager. He spent over twenty years following the teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche and served as his teaching assistant for seven years. He lives in France, near Lerab Ling, Rigpa’s largest international retreat center and helps design and guide Rigpa’s international study and practice programme.
María García Quesada (senior teacher) has been a student of the Dharma for more than 20 years. She turned to meditation at the age of 18 to better understand her emotions and fear of death, and has made practice a priority in her life ever since. She later followed Rigpa’s seven-year Home Retreat Intensive Programme of study and practice, under the guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche.
The Buddhist teachings have brought so much meaning to María’s life, her deep wish is to share the Dharma with others, so they may also benefit. She is characterized by her joy and enthusiasm in presenting the teachings on meditation and compassion.
Odile de Simone (teacher) is a student of and an instructor trained by Sogyal Rinpoche since 1983. During this time she had the privilege to meet and receive teachings from many teachers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Since 1997 she held courses and events on meditation and on compassion. Odile has also been a guide for the visitors of the Lerab Ling Tibetan Buddhist centre.
Miguel Oramas (teacher) is a Rigpa meditation teacher and Gestalt therapist based in Spain. After completing the degree in molecular biology and working as a researcher in the field, in the year 2000 he discovered the wisdom of the Buddhist teachings. For the last twenty years he has been presenting the practices of meditation and compassion to public audiences and is now participating collaboratively in several international Rigpa projects.
Frédéric Chastelas (teacher) Graduated in philosophy at Paul Valérie University, Frédéric has studied and practiced Buddhism with numerous masters since 1997. He completed a traditional three-year retreat in Lerab Ling where he then lived for ten years within the community and where he contributed in developing numerous programs. He has been teaching Buddhism and meditation for over fifteen years, trying to make them as concrete and accessible as possible.
Carla Ott (youth instructor) grew up in a Buddhist family and in her early teens consciously decided to follow the Dharma herself. Besides her Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, she studied at the Rigpa College of Buddhist Studies (Shedra) and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal, where she completed a Masters Degree in Buddhist Studies. Since the revival of Rigpa's Youth group in 2016, she has been involved in organising and facilitating events to support young people on their path. She has been guiding meditation sessions for teenagers and young people since 2013.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
07.00 - 07.45 meditation session (optional)
07.45 - 09.00 breakfast
09.00 - 12.00 1st main session (with a short break)
12.00 - 12.30 physical exercise
12.30 - 15.00 lunch break
15.00 - 18.00 2nd main session (with a short break)
18.00 - 19.30 dinner break
19.30 - 20.15 evening meditation session
-
> FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our commitment is for everyone who wishes to come to Lerab Ling, to have access to our programmes, whatever their financial circumstances. We offer different options for those who are unable to pay the standard contribution.
More info about Lerab Ling financial support for attending our retreats/events.
-
> ACCOMMODATION & MEAL PRICES
You can book your meals and/or onsite accommodation when registering for the retreat/event.
To see the fees for accommodation and meals click here
-
> PREPARE FOR YOUR STAY
Tags: PUBLIC, MEDITATION