Lama Choedak Rinpoche’s Retreat and
Public Talk 10th to 12th October
Rinpoche gave a well-attended public talk in the historic Bungwahl Hall on the Friday night. ‘Dealing With Pain Through Meditation’ explained how we need to globalise our pain. Putting mental effort into reducing the inclination to think of ‘my pain’, and using it to understand that pain is prevalent everywhere. I thought It was a bit like the ‘not feeling sorry for yourself’ adage which can seem a bit harsh. But if we add the wisdom of interdependent nature of all phenomena and that the pain we have had many causes and conditions, we can be easier on ourselves. If we then take this to our meditation, we can discover a broader perspective on our pain and have kind and expansive thoughts that include all sentient beings. Peter Morgan
Medicine Buddha and Wheel of Sharp Weapons
The teaching by Lama Choedak Rinpoche on The Wheel of Sharp Weapons was a great accompaniment to Healing Medicine Buddha Sadhana. The peacock-like ability is the essence of the healer. Just like the peacock consumes poisonous plants we too have the ability to be "blissfully filling up the bin". If we can accept things as our own karma ripening then we are developing the skill and the mental fitness to deal and heal. This careful scrutiny of our thought, speech and action is what serves others and frees us. Lama Choedak describes this as listening to the music of healthy criticism. Healing Medicine Buddha Sadhana enables us to think in terms of healing and invites others to heal as well. Lama Choedak gave examples of how we can use the Medicine Buddha Mantra throughout the day to soothe, to calm and to generate gratitude. I'm grateful to all those who have preserved these texts and continue to transmit these precious gifts to others. I'm also grateful to have been in the company of others who are interested in changing their habits to benefit all. There are many causes to the result. Bess Morgan