Natural Clarity: 

 Teachings on the Nature of Mind

A Path of Liberation Meditation Retreat with

Senior Tergar Lama Khenpo Kunga

 

In Tibetan Buddhism, the most profound and direct meditation instructions involve exploring the nature of mind. Glimpsing the spacious clarity of awareness in the immediacy of the present moment puts us in touch with a deep sense of inner peace that is always present, though not always recognized. The teachings that lead us to this experience are given in a series of “pointing out instructions,” experiential pointers that have been passed down from teacher to student for hundreds of years in Tibet.

In this retreat, we will explore a powerful set of teachings on the nature of mind from the Mahamudra practices of Tibet’s Kagyu lineage. Senior Tergar Lama Khenpo Kunga will offer practical guidance on these teachings, basing his instructions on one of the most cherished texts of Tibetan Buddhism, Takpo Tashi Namgyal’s Clarifying the Natural State. Along with teachings on this text, he will also share profound practices from the lineage of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

The daily schedule will include periods of silent meditation, teachings by Khenpo Kunga, and opportunities for interviews and small group discussions with senior Tergar instructors. Khenpo Kunga will be offering teachings twice daily from June 1 to June 7, 2015. 

To prepare for this retreat we recommend that you maintain a daily practice. Audio or video recording of any of Khenpo Kunga's teachings will not be permitted. Translation into Spanish will be available at the retreat.

Khenpo Kunga: Khenpo Kunga is a Senior Tergar Lama and a close student of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. He became a monk at a young age, completed a traditional three-year retreat at Tergar monastery, and earned the Khenpo degree from Dzongsar monastic college. For more information click here.

Register Now! 

RETREAT DETAILS

COST
Single Room
Basic $995
Sponsor $1,215

Double Room
Basic $795
Sponsor $975

DEPOSIT
In order for your registration to be accepted you must include a deposit of $300. The balance of your retreat fee is due, payable by cash, check or credit card, when you check in on opening day, or it can be paid in advance electronically (we will be emailing invoices). The minimum deposit is the same regardless of what room, rate or length of time you choose. If you prefer, you may include the full payment when you register.

QUALIFICATIONS
This retreat is open to all individuals who meet at least one of the following criteria:

1) Have attended all three Joy of Living Levels 1 (Calming the Mind), 2 (Opening the Heart), and 3 (Awakening Wisdom) and completed the associated practice requirements
2) Have attended the Path of Liberation Level I or Mahamudra Level I with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and completed its practice requirements or will complete them prior to the retreat 
3)  Have completed the full preliminary practices (the 4 x 100,000 ngondro)
4)  Have received pointing out teachings from a qualified Buddhist lineage holder (a tulku or rinpoche)
5)  Have had a daily meditation practice for at least five years and attended either group or solitary practice retreats (with 6+ hours of formal meditation practice each day) under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher for a total of at least thirty days

ACCOMMODATION & RETREAT FEES
In order to attend the retreat, you will need to arrive no later than the opening day. It will not be possible to start your retreat later in the program. Retreat fees are inclusive of room, meals, and teachings. 

Both single and double rooms are available. The only difference between these two options is the number of occupants per room. All bathrooms are shared (with separate bathrooms for male/female on each floor).

There are also two levels to the fee structure, a base level for people who have less means, and a sponsor level for people who can afford to support the Tergar Meditation Community's activities at a greater level. Please indicate your room preference and the level at which you are paying in the appropriate place on the registration form. If a lack of resources makes it impossible for you to attend the retreat please contact us by email to stjohns@tergar.org or by phone at 1-612-460-8837.

TEACHER SUPPORT
In an effort to keep the cost of this retreat as low as possible, we set the retreat rate such that it just covers the cost of room and board at the retreat and additional operating overheads. This includes a modest honorarium to Khenpo Kunga and attendant lamas. You will also have the opportunity to make a personal offering to support Tergar's activities.

CANCELLATION POLICY
An administrative fee of $50 will be charged for all cancellations prior to April 22, 2015. After April 22, 2015, the cancellation fee will be $300.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFO
Check-in will be from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on the opening day of the retreat, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. The retreat will end by lunchtime on Sunday, June 7, 2015. 

PRECEPTS & SILENCE
While attending this retreat all participants are expected to abide by the ethical precepts for lay practitioners. This includes the abstinence from sexual activity. We will maintain periods of silence throughout this retreat, the length of which will vary so that their will be less silence in the beginning and end of the retreat and a period of complete silence in the middle.

INTERNET
While it is possible to access internet on campus (at the library and even in the dorm rooms), we ask that—in keeping with the spirit of an intensive meditation retreat—you minimize internet activity, limiting it altogether if possible.

FOOD
Three vegetarian meals will be served each day. While the kitchen at St. John's University is not able to cater to special dietary needs, vegan protein and gluten-free options will be available.

LOCATION
St. John's University is situated about 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota, just off Interstate 94 in the town of Collegeville. The closest major airport is Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP).

TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM
Executive Express provides a shuttle service from Minneapolis/St Paul airport (MSP) to St. John's. They will pick you up from the airport and take you to the campus. They are offering a $10 discount each way for people attending the retreat. In order to make a booking online and receive the discount, go to this Executive Express link and make your reservation. The cost of a round trip is approximately $84. 

As well, we have set up a Ride and Travel group in the Tergar Learning Community (TLC). Once you are a TLC member (membership is free), you can make a posting to request a ride, offer a ride, share accommodation information, etc.

Please note, Tergar is not involved in organizing rides/ travel for participants. The TLC page relies on participants to contact each other directly. We would appreciate it if locals would take the time to check the RideShare and Travel page to see if rides might be needed. Thank you.